ã€ŠVega Of The Wastesã€‹


 Chapter 1: A Ghost with no Host

    Vega of the Wastes

    By Century Robot

    ¡°To my audience, I demand something of you. Not your love, time, or presence. I demand that you will challenge the sky and the earth. The sun and the moon. All bodies known and fantasy. Criticism, well performed and genuine. No feigned effort.¡±

    Chapter 1: A Ghost with no Host

    Vulgarity appears more rampant in secluded places, just as a corpse would in the fields of life. Unremarkable in a graveyard, a form existing beyond is frightening. Not because of the viscera, that¡¯s silly. But the order, or the lack thereof. Fools of this time would describe it as unjust. Like how one would shutter at a mother consuming their child or the sun bringing blinding black. It shouldn¡¯t and mustn¡¯t be. Those disturbing images are more disruptive than common.

    It leads to the idea that morality has faltered and been replaced with ersatz. But, peace isn¡¯t quiet. Tranquility isn¡¯t order. And vulgarity, in its ugliest forms, is chaotic, turning calm into a combustible tinder that ignites panic. The people of Iozia believed a peace of a hundred years, until a few cheats rode through the night.

    A slumbering night sky ago, a calm village named ¡®Cold Cavern¡¯ resting by the sea was awoken to the cry of a child. A family gasped and fainted. Their daughter had been taken away. The sound of horses came from the cove, the vehicles of a gang of outlaws. The local guard mounted, equipping their spears and shields, and began a pursuit to their hideout in a cave. As they entered the smell of hay poured out. Their movement was silenced by the bandages on their sandals.

    They stepped through the underground expanse. It was a maze of whirling tunnels and confusing paths. All with the increasing closer echo of the girl. A man with a bronze helm was at the center. His face was hidden and guarded by a bearded mask. He held the group together. Armed with a sword and a series of flickering candles. This Captain was a veteran of two tours, but his colleagues were young to combat.

    His hand was held close to his comrades, to keep them steady. He was prepared, his allies weren¡¯t. Their senses were weak here. Each crack threw their hearts off beat. Minutes pass, but they discover the girl in the clutches of the fat brigand leader, a round and bloated man. Ragged, he smiled at the guards. The Captain catalogs a couple outlaws, armed with shivs and frayed clubs. They¡¯re hardly a threat, the Captain thought.

    The saviors felt a faint hope rise. But their hope died as their Captain became horrified. The brigand held out his gnarled hand, more resembling a warped branch toward the temple of the prisoner. His shrill voice demanded the guard to stand down or worse will come. He¡¯ll command his construct to kill this daughter if they don¡¯t follow his instructions. The men stared at the dark surroundings, seeing an awful creature emerge from it.

    A construct, made without love. A golem that resembled a twisted scarecrow. The brigand threatened that it would drown the girl in a storm of rotten wheat and thorns, goring this precious child. He would let her go if they provided him with all their coins as ransom. The men shiver at the image.

    ¡°Attack!¡± The Captain commanded, unfreezing his men.

    The guards charged forth, hopeful that they¡¯ll reach the girl before the golem executes her. The outlaws race to meet the guards. A fierce flurry of blows separated and broke their formation, as men began to duel each other.

    The Captain darted and ducked the knives thrown at him, as he struck a bandit with his shield, knocking him out. He struggled to get close to the golem. The bandits form a shield wall, blocking any entry. He attempted to pierce through the gang but he and his men were stopped. He closed his eyes, knowing soon what was to come. It was too late, as the brigand beckoned forth his thrall and whispered.

    ¡°Destroy the child.¡±

    The blistered scarecrow nods and responds.

    ¡°Aye, aye. Sir-sir.¡±

    And then in an instant, it walloped the brigand in the face with a pickaxe. Stunning both the brigand and the men fighting. The girl that had been captured remained in a state of duality, both confused and curious that the construct chose to attack its brigand master. Maybe it was misunderstood.

    The scarecrow smiled a toothy grin and she turned to the others and shouted to the earth and sky.

    ¡°Yay! I killed a girl!¡±

    An hour later the local guard drove the bandits back, recovered the spooked but alive girl, locked their leader away, and considered this new¡­ person.

    Despite disobeying her supposed leader, she appeared to be alive. A bit too alive. The Captain interrogated the brigand but all he would state was that she was found and he thought it was the ¡®royal flush¡¯ his group needed. An unthinking automaton of unknown origin. The group had it for some time and decided this would be its first use in combat. How unstoppable he¡¯d be.

    ¡°I thought it would be an easy win. But that thing is dumber than ants, it messed with our plans.¡± The sore man spoke. ¡°Don''t ask me where it came from. One day he came and asked if we needed any help.¡±

    The Captain, a red skinned barrel, brushed his black beard through his hands. This was something the town had never encountered before. Perhaps this was a spirit.

    Of course spirits don¡¯t tend to take joy in ¡®killing¡¯ young girls, nor do they get coerced by scum sons. Also they know the difference between a fat criminal and a girl. He turned to the outside to see the humanoid.

    Some kids were dancing around her. She was a simple feminine shape, black linen wrapped around short yet strong wood. Hair composed of long dried grass with some straw jutting out. Gloves worn and with stitched digits and a tunic with flannel pattern. And her head is a brown sack tied with a cow tail. She appeared to be bowing to the kids hat in hand. It was horror on the streets, he thought.

    The girl the guard had rescued stood by the scarecrow. She remained perplexed by it, with two thoughts coming to her. One, it was happy to kill if ordered. And two, it had no idea what a girl was.

    ¡°So you know nothing about her? Not a scrap or idea?¡± The Captain pressed his small peach lips together, beckoning the man to respond.

    ¡°Vega. She had said she was Vega.¡± His voice stuttered as he laid on his back on the prisoner bed.

    Vega wasn¡¯t bright, but she was glowing. Intensely social, she always pursued others. Her company was tolerated but questioned. The clergy of the town had promoted the belief that she was a lesson against alcohol, for her speech was slurred and erratic. Not only this, but a sign of gambling being a vice, as the girl abducted was tricked via the offering of gambling.

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    The merchants used her to market the town to visitors, already organizing for a summer fair. ¡®Welcome to Cold Cavern, home to the mysterious monster from the depths of the moonlit cave.¡¯

    The village guard felt she was too dangerous to be left to her own devices, for she had the habit of taking hay from the farmers, mining equipment from the station on the mountain, and constantly asked people if they needed help. Like¡­ way too much.

    The Mayor with the advice of the Captain decided to put her through schooling. The Priest disagreed but the Captain responded with a knife thrown at his butt. Holding him by the neck, lifting him off the floor, he bellowed.

    ¡°You are going to take care of that girl because she ain¡¯t a ghost. He pressed his nose to the face of the Priest ¡°It''s worst! She''s an idiot.¡±

    Education in the province was sparse, aside from the traveling fairs or wisemen, there was only the temple. It was a stone obelisk flanked by several wooden houses.

    These Iozians were a monotheistic people worshiping the god Recor and his kin; the spirits. Vega accepted this readily, hungry to know more about this powerful being. The clergy fed her a supply of state propaganda in the form of parables.

    One was about the clans of Tripolians, the rivals of the Oligarchy of Ioz. For generations, the Tripolians struck and consumed the borders of their blessed lands. Barbarians were their title, so the Priest spoke. Vega yet again accepted this just as one would take in a breath of air. Vega was enamored. What do these weird words and sounds mean? Over the course of many seasons Vega was becoming literate. Well, a better term would be sub-literate.

    The village saw a change in her demeanor. No longer a sack of dumb wheat, she had become an investigative sack of dumb wheat. Peering cracks on the brick, wading through the swamps, and climbing the tallest trees. Vega gained possession for the village. She took in these scripts and voices and enjoyed them.

    One day, the Priest was preparing the rites of worship, only to discover a sculpture of Recor. It had been a smooth carving of their god, him in an enchanting joy of the human form. It was soothing to the touch. It was the most beautiful act of worship he had seen in his sixty year life span. The Priest was at a pause, as he had noticed an engraving at the bottom. It was a rough cant that had read¡­

    ¡°Faur Mista Piiest,

    Reecar soands cewwl, seww eye maay tis faur u. Laave u.

    Framm,

    Vagaa ta Scairrcrow¡±

    His lips raised to curl, and a cackling escaped his ruined teeth. He strolled over to the bay and promptly dunked the art into the sea. The Priest exclaimed to the messy heavens.

    ¡°Ghosts can¡¯t love! She really is a idiot.¡±

    Seasons crawled by for everyone except the creation, as they were plagued by her uninterruptedly asking them if they had heard about Recor and have felt his love. It took a few sessions of the Captain screaming at her to cease this. One month the Priest could tolerate her no longer and had decided she had ¡®graduated¡¯. This was promptly answered by the Captain to recruit her into the guard and the Priest oddly rubbing his rear in pain.

    She acted as a mascot to the town rather than a force of the law, but this was a welcome change. Vega would aid in arresting thieves and the return of stolen animals. But she was forbidden to participate in fire drills due to¡­ well, her being a scarecrow.

    One afternoon, she sat in the fort, staring out to the ships pulling in the fish the people would feast upon. It was a hill surrounded by stakes. It was coated in plaster to prevent fire, which was a comforting thought. Her eyes gazed at the waves, she saw birds coming in. A storm was to meet the town. She rested her head on the window sill.

    Vega began to recount her few feelings, she could see wisps of the ocean beyond, her fingers could feel the splinters in the wood. Yet she wondered. Wondered how it would feel to smell or taste. Curious, she thought, how to experience something without the apparatus to do so. After all, she could hear the chorus of exhausted guards around though she had no ears. Or real teeth to smile. Just a head made from a bag.

    For an instant, not a moment longer, she had discovered something. A quick pain in her head. A pressure like her skull being flattened in a single point. Then it evaporated. She wondered, then began to wander.

    A few years had passed and Vega had events, sessions, times she started to sense the world around wasn¡¯t correct. Helping out in the town was a charm but she felt incomplete. Wherever she went something was off. Like a shadow that''s malformed, a wrong color. Or a carving with no name. A hatred that smiled. Like a voice was calling out to her, from the road. From the hill, and the hill over. From the spray of the emerald sea.

    Vega had heard¡­ her voice. That wasn¡¯t right. She wasn¡¯t talking, at least she held the belief that she wasn¡¯t. It wasn¡¯t how it was supposed to be. The Priest knew what was right, but this isn¡¯t. A horror encountered her. She¡­ felt. Not with her hands or eyes, it was something beyond.

    Her grin began to frown into a neutral expression, as her asymmetrical eyes tried to figure out what caused this event. It had evaded her, it was too fast and intense for her to comprehend. She began to collapse onto the ground that held her up. She sat, and started to massage her form. Her health recovered, but what about that voice?

    The scarecrow rose, an unceasing smile along with it. She knew what it was. It was a cry. A cry for help.

    Having packed up her things (two crayons, a stack of paper, and a stone someone told her was a silver coin) and started to walk on the rain soaked ground. She turned back to the town and waved it goodbye. Vega had believed the town was a person and attempted on unlistable occasions to speak to its paper guts, its tile colored hair and its mortar flesh. She had come to know the town as her best friend. And now she would be going off to meet new friends both real and imagined. If she had a heart it might have fluttered at the moment. Perhaps forcing her to turn back. But Vega had no organs to revolt against her mind, so she whispered to her friend with no being.

    ¡°Thank ya Calvin.¡± A raspy, wobbly sound came out. ¡°Ya are my best friend. I think ya might be sad-sad at me leaving so please, don¡¯t cry. I¡¯ll be alright.¡± Her eyes, animated with scribbled chicken scratched pupils, widened. She flexed her non-existent muscles.

    ¡°I¡¯m real strong. Because the Captain taught me-me how to fight and think good. So I¡¯m ready. Maybe we can wander together sometime later. See ya, best buddy.¡± The wind blustered past her hair. She reached out and gripped onto it. It was a cozy scene, her feeling the last warmth her friend gave her.

    ¡°I¡¯ll miss ya.¡± She released her hands from the gust spawned hug and proceeded to wander. Wander. Wonder. Wonderwander.

    Mayor Dismas was a taut man. His hands always sore from sending men to sea or counting tithes to award the mercenaries. His palm was glued to his scabbard from sunrise to sunset. Of higher status, he felt less than a peasant. They held tracts of fertile imagination. His eyes were unhealthy orbs darting to coins and shelves. A farmer could look at the grass and imagine a field of olive trees or a new irrigation house.

    All he could see was bile colored plants and nothing beyond. Peasants created paintings of the landscape while he could only imagine a room with a chair and desk. He rose up from his bed. Dismas thought of anything to change the pace of this town. He held the belief then in just a few instances that a knock followed by a scratch, a sign from the hay girl to ask him if he needed help. He would respond no and shut the door and continue on his uninteresting manner. He waited. And waited. And his face and body began to relax. This was different.

    ¡°Curious," Dimas spoke.

    This felt good. But he soon reminded himself that perhaps he should open the door. After all, she could be waiting on him this time, and only this time. He pinched and twisted the door knob. He saw rain pounding the town in what could only be described as a way to rip apart the village. He relaxed again, exhausting air onto his thick hide-like mustache.

    This was new. Something had caught his eyes and he saw a piece of paper. It appeared to be a yellow pulped paper wrapped in a cow¡¯s tail. He unglued his hand from his weapon and raised it his eyes and wonder began to take him. He pressed the message to his nose and took in the scent. It was the revolting smell of dust mixed with hay. What an awful thing. It was perfect!

    The oddity was a treatment for his physical system. He did not know how long this pleasant event would last. He closed the door and reclined onto his desk. A wondrous change, no longer melting into the bed alone, he had a companion. Delicate to preserve this piece of history in this town, so he unraveled this ugly sheet and opened it. The mayor was at first understood, then confused.

    ¡°Der Mista Mayear

    Amm goang too geets a jaop. Bee bacc reaa suunn. Eyee wheel saend coins bacc. Laave u.

    Framm,

    Vagaa ta Scairrcrow

    PeeS.

    A voice. I heard a voice.¡±

 Chapter 2: A Chariot Found (Part 1!)

    Chapter 2: A Chariot Found (Part 1!)

    The Oligarchy was a vast ocean contained in the pool of warmongering and standards. If one were a foreign visitor on an exploration of the state, it would give the atmosphere of drowning. Each person, freeman or citizen, had a network to grant respite at sea, islands if you would. Women had their grannies to support them in their upbringing. Soldiers coming from war had their clubs to spit their venomous anger. And rich families had a bounty of work to occupy their minds until the next harvest. But for the last couple years, harvest had become a curse word as the fields had been assaulted.

    The Tripol, a people although diverse by each region, was often reduced into an offensive outfit by their adversaries. They had defined cheeks, black hair, and eyes that struck harder than a pit viper. Their war bands had taken to burn the rolling plains the Iozians took pride in. A grievous assault on their stomach would break their appetite and cause famines for years to come. This year is such a time, with only far off territories not being afflicted.

    Few Oligarchs remained, only a couple hundred compared to the thousands of centuries past. Defenders, their title, and shieldbearing was their life. Each Oligarch had a general status, commanding as well as characterizing their subjects as lower levy. Every line of commanders would transmit their persona onto the land, healing it or condemning it to revelation.

    The land Vega had walked upon was coming into a dim light, as the sun had risen. An air of sweetness had been released just as the leaves of the greenwood turned to a ripened brown. Each step she took had a mighty crunch on her idle travel. Far off echos of wildlife sneezing or groaning kept her eyes alive. Of course she never had a need to blink, nor rest her eyes. This cool steppe was a cold beer to her few senses, as she felt no danger, only joy when inhabiting this place. New openings and shapes helped her interest.

    As each hour passed, the forests grew more into a reverberation and the sun turned the sky into a pitcher of orange juice. An expanse had cleared to a vast grassland, veiny chalk roots climbed atop the hundreds of rocks and cracks into the earth. Ponds had bouts of steam exit from their bodies and contained whatever small insect life that survived in hostile climate. A few winter moths made the husk of a tree its home along with a hill of baby centuries.

    ¡°Cute bug thing-things. Awesome ya are. Living in-in such a place. I thought this was the domain of men.¡± She stooped down to the crag and sat above the pond.

    ¡°Come here, little dudes.¡± Her ripply voice startled the nearby creatures, as they had held the belief she was an inanimate object. She had taken to tapping the water with her boots, a part of her that sustained dryness.

    A reflection of her image met her. Her eyes were a crazy set of dice, like the look in the eye of the man addicted to gambling. He had sweat and wrinkles all over but his eyes were vibrant. It reminded her of one of the few lessons the Priest told she didn¡¯t understand. How could chance-coin be bad when they produced so much liveliness? Rubbing the bandage she had for a nose, she savored the mist fading out of the pond.

    It prompted her to take a bath. Surprising to the folk back in Cold Cavern, she had a daily ritual to cleanse herself from any parasites or maladies gorging themselves on her parts. Although they were one of the few villages that had a public bath, they resorted to forcing her to the nearby rivers since her hair would make it into a prickly mess.

    She took off her clothes, and began to wade into the pond water. Again, she was a simple feminine shape. Her ribs were a bundle of planks wrapped in her standard black bandages with tufts of hay peering out.

    She inspires the idea of a teenager, eagerly curious and obsessive of her niche interests. Cute, but in a manner that was embarrassing otherwise. This was a held belief of Vega that the village promoted.

    Her hair softened into a mush, and she had begun to reassemble herself. She laid on the beach of the pond. Her form despite being made out of perishable materials had appeared to be well preserved, not even rotting. But Vega didn¡¯t know this, never knowing of smells and fat sagging.

    ¡°Huh? What-what was that?¡± She heard it. A weakness took her and she bolted her thorax upward.

    ¡°Who-who is here? Who are you?¡± pleading to the voice, in a fit of mania and intrigue. The desert around her gave no response as she tried to listen. All that could be heard was the whip-like strikes of the wind, driving rocks from cliffs and the tender hum of the nearby centuries.

    Vega was sensitive to rhythm, the tempo of the tempest. Whether it be the typhoons that struck the town or the soft breeze, she had an uncanny awareness of the environment around. She was sensitive to the attitudes to herself, able to detect the sentiments that set her apart from other persons. Even if no words were spoken or heads were turned, she could tell eyes and lips were on her.

    Especially to the sounds of music. In the temple, chants encased the lumber of its long chambers. Statements like ¡®Glory be to Recor¡¯ or ¡®Curse the Ghost¡¯ occurred repeatedly. In those uninteresting moments, Vega¡¯s gaze was out to the tree line, hearing the bristling leaves rub and quake. How she wished to create earthy sounds. This call, however, wasn¡¯t alluring or compassionate. Command was the word Vega thought up.

    ¡°Stopping won¡¯t help-help. Best to move.¡± The slopping sound of her hair begged to differ.

    ¡°Maybe a minute-minute wouldn''t hurt-hurt.¡± Clouds began to pass and the sun had colored the sky a worn out blue. The celestial bodies swirled around one another like a sickness. It was eerie to travelers that pass by these parts. An array of omens and histories arose from their chattering teeth.

    Nature roared against any neophyte wanderer. To steel oneself against the mysteries and other worldly monsters man dreams up, they drank from their flasks and proclaimed the might of their god and his unwavering spirits. In a battle of the damned, one must hope his allies are divine. Vega had no such helping hands, be from the poisoned earth or the harmonious space. She didn¡¯t have a complex to defend. No enemies. No friends.

    ¡°Lonely. To-to be here alone.¡±. Her grin didn¡¯t end. One of the centuries came into her vision.

    ¡°Wonderful dude. What is it like-like to be ya.¡± Her cheek rested on the pebbles and her eyes followed the creatures. A single century was comparable to an armored log. This was a young one, roughly the size of a feline. Fifty spikes were legs on each side, joints bent its many knees. Twin sickles were its jaws, thin as paper and strong as a felled tree. When they are fully grown they can actually fell trees.

    ¡°Smart pet. Must pet.¡± Pressing her hand onto the head of the small bug. It recoiled, but it identified the gesture to be inoffensive. Grazing, it felt comfortable. It chirped in a sign of treaty.

    ¡°Where are your-your parents?¡± A question drilled into one of the dozen responses during her training as a guard, presented to anyone except children. In her case she did to everyone that was alone, creating some upset elderly. A language barrier presided over them. But almost in response the century returned to its pack, carrying a small tadpole. Vega finished putting her parts back together excluding her hat. In her left hand she held it to her chest. Not out of any manner of respect. It was a habit that was always there.

    ¡°Maybe ya don¡¯t understand me. I¡¯m not a human. A ghost. I think.¡± The Priest introduced the word to Vega. The word she believed to know herself with.

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    ¡°I¡¯m not like ya. I am appeared. Ya are made.¡± The century turned back to tall hay thing and beckoned it to a direction. Ranting on to her audience, her neck craned downward.

    ¡°What is your favorite color. Mine is pink, the same color as blood-blood.¡± Further they climbed over the hillsides and the centuries brought with them small gifts. Splinters of rock and snacky bugs. The rear one had bobbed it head up and down. Vega took it as an agreement.

    ¡°That''s the right answer. Real smart. I¡¯m not so smart.¡± A cave was bored into a wall. An adult century was dragging a heap of dead animal into it. She could see its exhaustion and hear it heaving.

    ¡°Mom.¡± Vega¡¯s thoughts on families were only brief. Existence of relationships between blood she knew, but not of the interpersonal expectations or roles. But all she could know of such webs of human interaction was that they were meaningful to the village, not ghosts.

    ¡°If ya smart, she must be very smart.¡± The centuries had started to form up a line to their matriarch. Dropping their tribute into the bowl dug into the ground. Normally this brood would have someone defending it, Vega knew. Claw marks scarred into the mother¡¯s thick plating. She was missing a few eyes and was in a state of being a widow. Vega could tell this in an instant.

    ¡°Ya got good kin. They brought me to help ya.¡± A goat¡¯s corpse drained of its fluids. The three eyes of the trunk sized insect positioned on the living hay lady. She didn¡¯t call her brood back for her incisors could cleave her in half. Nothing to fear, would¡¯ve been the thoughts the mighty beast believed.

    ¡°Well-well don¡¯t worry missus. Ya got the best girl killer this side of the Oligarchy.¡± Raising her pickaxe, along with her the ends of her grimace, the air went silent.

    CRUNCH! SKATCH! RIP! POUR!

    A gore worse than a murder, a crime distant from law, and a scarecrow splattered hat to boot in it all. A good description is that a storm harried the animal and made it formless aside from the vague symbols of the hoofs. To refer to it as a former goat is an insult. Its skull and ribs were splinters, its fur a pink paste, and its organs were punctured into a thorny bush.

    Victim is the thought Vega very much valued. Picking up the bloodied pieces, she began to hand off to the centuries, unshaken by the execution. The remaining carcass she pulled in front of the mother as she rested her weary feet.

    ¡°There we are-are. A dinner worth dining on.¡± Vega understood the value of food was paramount that it would be eaten. Best way to do that was to make it marketable. And by making it easier to consume, she knew that her work was completed.

    The damned body bubbled an agreement. A feast was made, the centuries with bugs as appetizers and goat paste as dessert, and Vega sat beside the big clan. She analyzed the structure around her. Not too ancient, it had an engraving of a man drilling his hands in what looked like a blob.

    She tried to lay back but something jutted into her. A rusted knob lay in the ground. Brushing her greased palm on the surface around revealed a cellar door. A twist and a hail of dust escaped the prison. Derelict and haunted with fumes, the centuries swung away. Vega had a quick jump into the stairs and stumbled. Slamming and kissing the plank floor, she lifted her face to meet the room.

    A pale light walked in with Vega, shining on the pottery fragments. Shelfs and discs littered and ravaged the space, but its beauty was saved by a composed sound Vega heard. A long pot at the corner conquered by a spreading vine. And from the ceiling a droplet of dew met the pot¡¯s maw, gently over flowing water on the floor, with moss accompanying it. In a trance she hopped to the noise.

    Pitter Patter.

    Unraveling her bindle, smoothly pulling out her crayons and parchment, she found it. A fountain in you. A familiar youth. The voice didn¡¯t speak. It didn¡¯t need to. For it spoke in the universal language of song. Hypnotizing, her appearance became vacant. Hairs became less fringe, limbs simmered, and her face seemed to lack air. Prayer was a routine with her, but this was far more personal. It was an obsession. Whatever religious ceremony that existed was forgotten, and what she manifested was raw.

    Pure. Unfiltered or unmanipulated. Fingers become numb, sight fixed into a gaze, and all other chatter evaporates aside the particles of water. Words released onto the papers. Doodles became ravings. And the subject communicated wasn¡¯t understood on the page, but to the listener. No, to the one who lived it. The pain from inside returned. Fear drowned out her smile. A knowing of the sound drove her in a moment of madness. The voice came to her in a climax of choking, twisting. A pinning in her soul.

    Kaliber.

    A gust of wind curled across the landscape, and Vega emerged along with it. Her grin angled to the herd of centuries, cuddling underneath their mother. Vega too clung to the beast and it whistled in surprise.

    ¡°Ya haven¡¯t spoken to me. That''s a change.¡± Vega rubbed her shoulder on one of its plates. The day was turning to evening and the clouds journeyed past the horizon. What emerged was a delicate peace. Something that was a captive of her soul. A milk drop was faintly seen. Half a perfect crescent, the other a burning flame of white.

    ¡°The moon.¡± Vega saw the two parts, one surviving face opposed to rotting dust. Her grin turned into a smirk.

    ¡°Have you ever seen the moon rise over the wastes? How it beams across the salt covered docks, when it glows on the tiles of roofs? When it meets the holes in the caverns, a mazeway of white pillars travels through its insides. Bouncing off the undiscovered gem stones in its bowels, casting colors that blend and blur. Diamonds, squares, corners and overlapping shapes galore. A sweetness releases in those deep holes.¡± Vega¡¯s eyes were perfect, exactly looking that of a human¡¯s, rather than an imitation. Her voice didn¡¯t quiver, it was clear and precise.

    ¡°That barren wilderness, a wasteland, is so full of life. A ringing sound emits from the crystal spires and they dance with each other harder than anyone could in the village. They grip and jump and twirl and hustle and bustle. Catacombs become dance halls, each stone a partner. A caveful of alluring lights.¡± Her eyes showed the caves in its brilliance, projecting the memory through them.

    ¡°Fantastical pigments become frequent and common as the gems toss the moon¡¯s power to the uneven walls and more tempos and motifs echo in its bountiful distance. An improvised concert of matter. Sparks and stars shoot and leap across the pillars. Flares go out, rainbows are sprayed, and something happens. I feel a faintness in my chest.¡± Her hands clung to her shirt, tucking hard enough to make tears. She couldn¡¯t identify the feeling.

    ¡°Not something given to me but happening to me. A thump, bump, shake. Quivers and shivers thunder through my whole body. A pathetic thing compared to the villagers outside. I have no nerves to be nervous, no system to disable. I am but a humble servant to their glory. There, I am something else. An outsider. A girl with no ability to understand. An oddity to be observed and taught. But here I was, in an ephemeral tremor within my soul.¡± Her speech paused, as her eyes closed for the first time in her existence.

    ¡°They thought I couldn¡¯t know them, to know briefness. In the union of divine and mortal, sky and planet, it¡¯s possible that I was found. I found a fountain in you. A familiar youth was made. Whenever I¡¯m around it, I feel so wonderful. And I try to be myself. But I can¡¯t help it. I¡¯m so selfish.¡± Her voice softened, like that of a child being lectured by their parents. It was regretful.

    ¡°I couldn¡¯t help but pursue an entry. To bypass my ghastly parts and marry this quality. I took a step, then a step closer. I couldn¡¯t achieve my dreams and desires. To be, matched. Reflected. I broke out into a race to the conflicting and overwhelming dance. I leap out to this brilliance and I felt it. I had savored the air. I smelt the powder. I felt fire.¡± She let go of her shirt, and placed her hands on her lap. She smiled, then she returned to neutral.

    ¡°Perfect. But just as it came, it vanished. I was left alone in a puddle of my own ego.¡± Vega¡¯s eyes gazed at the wandering white moon.

    ¡°Yet. A broken unreachable shape had granted me an audience with it. To see it. Why would it reveal itself to me? It wanted no aid of mine. And those that don¡¯t need help don¡¯t care. They would become a name forgotten, a hand unreached. I don¡¯t know if I will live it again. I am so desperate to know such wonders again. To be enough so it rests firmly forever. But without company, I am a lonely body.¡± Her head fell, as she pressed her knees to her face.

    ¡°Without use¡­ I am a failure. I want¡­ someone.¡± The projecting eyes faltered, and her soul returned.

    ¡°Have ya ever seen the moon rise over the wastes? I only wish-wish I could give something as wonderful as that to ya.¡± Vega stroked the culture of beings into a comfortable rest. The sky went dark and her possession seemingly ended and her gaze drifted back to the gravel road.

    As she went to leave she took one last look at the building. A domain of man, ruined into the hideout of a family. She didn¡¯t think of the pot of water nor the moon at that moment. She thought of only the warmth the family shared and the companionship they had granted her. Having the coziness that tender. The voice¡¯s echo rolled across the starry sky. It caught her attention.

    ¡°See ya, little dudes.¡± Bloodied and her soul in nature, she strutted to the eastern horizon.

 Chapter 2: A Chariot Found (Part 2!)

    Chapter 2: A Chariot Found (Part 2!)

    Crackling, billowing flames buried beneath the surface floor. It provided him with a warm pair of socks. A skinny man, a couple years into adulthood, pinned the last of his soaked apparel. Lacking fat in all parts but his face, he was an effeminate man. Nails painted black, red rained all over his skin, and his hair a lengthy crimson.

    Pale radiance clashed with a sprawl of freckles on his face. Insecurity might have challenged him but a gentle embrace took him from behind and he lay into it, preventing self insult. A large deserter was his lover. His face was quartz rough with a heavy tan. His skin was thick and his ear had appeared to become a ripped appendage.

    ¡°So how was the book?¡± The redhead had a throaty clarity in his speech. Definitely not educated but knew of class. He was a rugged ¡®matter of fact¡¯ commoner. The type to make siege against coin colored personas.

    ¡°Charming. That''s the idea.¡± A straight black hide spilled over his scalp, highlighted by the nearby campfire. Quick minded like his boyfriend, but in words was tedious. The type that would agree, more statements than questions.

    ¡°What was the title on the cover? Cah-mic?¡± He hesitated, sounding out the battered novel¡¯s name.

    ¡°Yup. Not too terrible that thing was. I wish it had extra pictures.¡± As they huddled together in the dark, the deserter blew a warm exhale through his charcoal sized nose.

    ¡°Have a clue what it means?¡± He held his hand to his ripped ear.

    ¡°Nah. It looked pretty though. That''s the idea.¡± A single kiss was pressed on

    the neck of the redhead. He smiled and rubbed the neat hair that was beside him. All the world is viscous but moments like these become an eternity worth living.

    ¡°When do you think they¡¯ll be back? Better be some good elk or rabbit.¡± He recalled the other persons in their camp. They together were pilgrims of profit.

    Robbers of righteousness. Mostly riches. And whatever they could scratch up. Or whatever they could keep up.

    ¡°Eventually.¡±

    ¡°Well no duh. Seriously, you lack imagination.¡± The redhead soured. He enjoyed his large vaguely smart man, but he lacked an ability to put into physical space. From all the might he had in his muscle and fat stores, none of it was native to his brain. He believed that. The night became calm again.

    They relaxed in an earthwork made decades past. Likely a refrigerator, the freckled faced man thought. It had the aroma of wine grapes, very spicy. Scaffolding, some holding out shelves above. An idea prompted him to crawl to one of their packs. Lined with tools for throwing and spooking passerbys, he pulled out a shovel. He got to work embedding the point into the ground.

    ¡°Dig something good. Better be tobacco.¡± The deserter pulled out a long pipe in sync with the feminine digger.

    ¡°Ain¡¯t that a sin?¡± He joked as he continued the onslaught.

    ¡°Ain¡¯t boy kissing a sin?¡± He took a toke in conjunction with his response.

    ¡°Only if you like it!¡± The former soldier¡¯s stomach quaked in a bit of laughter. Their smiles reflected off their skin. Rejections find exceptional acts of acceptions in one another.

    Even in laborious tasks, the redhead was a student. Analyzing how strikes form certain patterns, the quaking of stocky crust. Making a pile of the crunched earth, the redhead started to feel tiresome. Sweat drooled across him, and his back sored. His eyes for a moment look at the deserter. He would make light action to discover the hidden treasures.

    His half closed eyes widened in a fit of determination. He ignored his aching body and pressed further into the depths. A two foot hole was dug, and no beverage was found. The bottom half of him was invisible to the deserter. He puffed as the dauntless moon glazed outside the hole in the hill. He gestured his long arm, casting the point to the redhead.

    ¡°Need a puff?¡± The freckled face squinted at the pipe in rejection.

    ¡°Come on. Great strength from its breath.¡±

    ¡°No. Its not healthy.¡±

    ¡°So you say.¡± He arched back it into his teeth.

    ¡°So it is!¡± The redhead yelled, exposing one of his lost fangs.

    Deeper still, visible ground became dimmer as more often the redhead grazed his foot with the shovel. Jagged fixtures jabbed at his shoulders, making cuts. When tossing one heap of dirt residue he clamored his right shoulder into one, forming a purple bruise. He almost cried on the spot, but he covered his mouth, not trying to startle his reclining buddy. Water came from the corners of his eyes.

    Pathetic. He shook his head and let tears fall on the shaft of the shovel. He hated this. The callus on his palm forming, the motion of swinging upward, and a feeling of imperfection. He couldn¡¯t tolerate it, recognizing it as himself. A hatred for the container around him drove him to drill into the ground further. A plank made a stop in his outburst. Giving him time to recover his lost manner, he crouched down and laid the side of his head.

    The air of fermented juice rose from the pit. He looked for a means to enter and upon not finding one, he pushed the shovel between the boards and wrenched the nails and foundation of the room. A removal of a few planks made an opening only some inches wide. This was no problem for the redhead, tying his hair into a tail, he swam through it. He dropped onto dark cobblestone. He reached from his pouch in his shirt, pulling out a flash stick. He struck the floor around him and the stick started to sparkle.

    ¡°Hey Bolato?¡± He called out, awaking him. He crawled to the tunnel in the ground and lowered his eyes to the redhead.

    ¡°Yeah?¡±

    ¡°We still have that portable ladder right?¡± he questioned.

    ¡°Yeah sure.¡±

    The freckled man saw Bolato leave for a few moments, returning by dropping a rope. It plopped just above him.

    ¡°Hey Bolato?

    ¡°Yeah?¡±

    ¡°You¡¯re a bitch.¡± His inflection was brought with contempt.

    ¡°Yeah sure.¡± Bolato had likely tied the rope to a boulder, but that didn¡¯t matter. The redhead couldn¡¯t perform acts of hoisting oneself, not for long. He would deal with that later.

    ¡°Let¡¯s look for goodies.¡± He grumbled, trying to boost his mood. This buried place was obviously for military purposes, he knew. The Iozians were zealous wine drinkers, going past the necessities to clear their water from dirtiness. Wherever they came and left, two signature industries sprang up. Wine and pottery. Pottery to aid in shipping and containing foods like wheat, barely, rice, and other dried and pickled vegetables. And wine to make the water of alien lands drinkable.

    Of the few ¡®democratic¡¯ things that the Oligarchy brought, it was the various alcohols and spirits they cooked and produced. He remembered when he was a child, sipping from a soldier¡¯s canteen and the funny taste that came from it.

    ¡°Skaldi.¡± Bolato rang out.

    ¡°Yes Bolato?¡±

    ¡°Are you okay?¡± Bolato probed.

    ¡°Yes Bolato.¡± He affirmed.

    Mildly disturbed, Skaldi saw a few barrels that stood out from the rest. Three barrels, two stacked on a shelf and one toppled over. They sported a brass rim, unlike the standard bare brown planks that formed the shell of the liquid. Intrigued, he tried to raise the toppled one to a standing position.

    He squatted down and pushed with all of his might. It was twice his size and sloshed as he put his being to get it into position. His grip loosened and he flew backwards. He felt another bruise and raised the sparkles to see his thigh was a bluish hue. Exasperated he got up and forgoed any finesse and punctured the shell. Wine had spurt out a powerful burst caught by his tongue. Sweet, yet not too overpowering.

    Again he was reminded of his boyhood. Stealing from the local legion was a worshiped task. Skaldi had always managed to graze by the legionnaires'' efforts to defend their delicious commodities. Once he had managed to steal a whole cart of wine. It was a joyous month. Full of drinking. Drinking with flies. His smile went to a frown and as he was ready to fill his pots, a sadness struck. A rancid return to days far away. Skaldi was a member of the Galti tribe, one of the last remaining sovereign states on the continent, aside from the Oligarchy.

    While conquered some decades ago, skirmishes of their driven nationalists still clashed with battalions of the Oligarchy¡¯s finest. Of course the Galtians couldn¡¯t survive but that wasn''t what this was about. The two clashing peoples of the Iozians along with the Tripol had policies similar but distinct forms of annihilation. The Tripol was state sponsored genocide, tearing up the land, murdering peoples that didn¡¯t aid them in conquest and replace the victims of their ravenous war with themselves. The Iozians had state sponsored conquerors, tearing up the land, murdering peoples that opposed them, and assimilating the victims with themselves.

    Now it might be easy to see the Iozians as kinder. But you must understand. The Tripol were uncaring. The Iozians were cold.

    Imagine a human being forced to forget his nation, his language, his clothes, his religion, his friends, his family, and replace one version of those values with another. Although one still could breathe, the air was never the same as it was before. This was the belief the Galti tribe held.

    Though Skaldi vehemently disagreed with such an image being the truth of the matter, he could not deny the illusion¡¯s terrifying presence. His family was a traditional one. Each member sported well kept hair, lanky form, and a knack for throwing spears and wielding glaives. They represented the ideal Galtian citizen. All but Skaldi. Resembling his mother in shape, the height of sixty inches, and the puny form of a sapling.

    It was a disgrace. A wasted boy. When he reached the age of sixteen, he saw enough combat to know that his people were doomed. On a summer night he had bought the cartful of wine, a prisoner of war, to the house he had called home. He entered and saw his mother in solidarity with his father, their faces purple in disgust.

    What they wanted was a son covered in the blood of foreigners, not a sissy that wasted their time with drink. Yelling could be heard from the shack, which quaked with emotion. An hour later Skaldi left with a scar on his blank face. He went away, never to be seen in the Galti tribe¡¯s dwindling numbers.

    Skaldi had a faint sob on his knees, as he huddled in the cramped space. Whispers of sissy and weakling swirled in his mind. He rubbed his eyes and got up, to walk off unseen damage. He rested his arm on the three pots he dragged across the floor. Hands angled the spilling purple drink into each pot. The pressure of the barrel was tense and it continued until all three were full. The remaining wine pooled on the cracks and split in the floor. In a pause Skaldi heard something.

    A case of literary theft: this tale is not rightfully on Amazon; if you see it, report the violation.

    Pitter patter.

    The ceiling was dropping water on to the pool, combining both.

    ¡°... Nice sound.¡±

    He rested; he still tested his knees, kneeling to the bleeding wine container. He pressed his lips to its wooden skin and began to drink from it. His upset mood made his senses more aware, he couldn¡¯t tolerate it. He needed to escape, taking rotting sweetness into his system. A minute passed as Skaldi finished his improvised chugging. His face blushed and he stumbled to tie the pots on his back.

    ¡°Much better.¡± He proclaimed as he squeezed through the opening in the ceiling. He saw the lack of ladder and complained by gritting his teeth.

    ¡°Bola. Help me up please.¡± Skaldi though mildly inebriated still clung to his clear cadence. But his voice became a higher pitch throaty, like a fast moving croak.

    ¡°Yeah sure.¡± The rope moved at a steady pace. Skaldi was glad at the speed. The pots clung together and rubbed harshly into him. Soon he reached the surface and his shoulders bit into Bolato''s hands.

    ¡°Tcch.¡± Wincing in a numbed pain, Skaldi reflexively closed his eyes.

    ¡°You really wanted to find wine huh?¡± Bolato taunted.

    ¡°Shut up.¡± Skaldi came close to his taller helper chin¡¯s and sneered as best he could. ¡°I¡¯d like for you to collapse your malformed joints and fat in such a space.¡± He retorted, daring to cease challenging him.

    ¡°I¡¯d like for you to not hurt yourself so much for so little. And you say I¡¯m the unhealthy one.¡± In sequence, he pulled out two scraps of cloth and crushed myre root. He spread the cut up parts onto it and rolled up the sleeve, tying it in a strict military fashion. Skaldi sucked air through his teeth, feeling a bit stupid. After all, he got himself worked up for himself to suffer.

    ¡°Thanks Bola.¡± His gaze cast to the ground, embarrassed. Bolato¡¯s hand rubbed the redhead¡¯s bright sapphire eyes.

    ¡°Yeah sure.¡±

    Bolato smooched Skaldi¡¯s cheek. (Which one, you ask? I''ll let you decide¡­)

    A crunch erupted. Both heads turnt to see their companions had just arrived. Just like themselves, their comrades differed and agreed. A peach girl with red cheeks, holding the boney hand of a tall and wide turban concealed fighter. He was a mystery to them. Not because he didn¡¯t show himself, though not his visual parts. He didn¡¯t speak their language.

    Amir was the name the girl translated from him. Skaldi and Bolato had been together for seven years, the bulky robe wearing Tripol man had joined them six years ago during a raid on a tobacco manor. The child stumbled on the group camping a month after. It was clear she was an orphan as her right hand was seared with a band.

    Iozians would call her a ghost, a grievous shame. And a grievous danger¡­

    Amir took responsibility and elected himself father to the babe and the couple became her pseudo brothers. She was but seven then. With alert brown eyes and hair, she disputed the unbelievable mind of her caretaker.

    Amir was an old dark adobe brick. His left eye had been scarred ever since Skaldi met him. He was the sick man of the team, having sessions of coughing and hacking that ended with him wiping the only visible part of him beside his hands. Around the opening he painted a green makeup on himself. He appeared ready to use any nearby plant life to create the cosmetic.

    He applied this same makeup to Valiato, his adopted daughter. He rarely spoke, only confining in his child to translate.

    The three of them had their own beliefs on the origins of this stranger. Valiato thought he was a lost librarian, noting the sachet that held journals and odd looking trinkets. She thinks he was cast to scour this continent for revelation and knowledge. Well¡­ it would be phrased like.

    ¡°He holds books and he likes books so he looks for books.¡±

    Bolato thought him a mercenary, watching closely the two curved daggers tied to him. He considered that he was disgraced due to his illness, and so was forced to be away from the land that borne him.

    Skaldi, in all of his time exposed to Amir, built up a theory, a canon if you will. A revolutionary lord, hiding within the Oligarchy, having committed some act of treason and was stripped of his health by the Tripol emperor. He had heard stories of the Tripol emperor, about his sadism and violence. Perhaps Amir was too a victim to his own kind, despite opposing such a vile heir to their culture¡¯s majesty. Skaldi knew. He held that Amir had the faint evilness of the human heart, to have once been in union with forces devastating.

    Amir sighed through his defined curved nose. He saw those two sodomites in an effort to ¡®make out¡¯. In front of his daughter too. What the devil. The soldier at least was dressed in great respect to his profession.

    The boy however unashamedly lewd. Bushy hair that crashed onto the ground, a signal to opposing moralities. Black combat wrappings tucked hard onto his arms and legs. Yet the lower structure, where to begin? The wrappings end in the middle of the upper thigh. Could he spare any decency for common folk? And that abominable fabric that failed to be enough guard.

    Booty shorts! He couldn¡¯t believe that the boy put it on himself, what was the world coming to?. This he did not tell with speech, but with squinting.

    ¡°I know that look, Amir, we weren¡¯t doing nothing.¡± Skaldi lifted the pot toward him. He let go of Valiato as she eagerly hopped to Bolato¡¯s side.

    ¡°Bola! We found it!¡±

    ¡°You did? I knew you''d get my cheese wheel back!¡± Bolato¡¯s speech hastened and his hand stretched to her.

    ¡°Not that.¡±

    ¡°Oh.¡± Dejected, he was looking forward to a midnight snack.

    ¡°But we found a cart!¡±

    ¡°Oh. Close enough.¡±

    Skaldi smiled and squeezed Valiato¡¯s short cut hair.

    ¡°Alright sweetpea, nice work you both did. Let''s go get it.¡± Skaldi jumped up and broke into a run before his thigh begged him to cease.

    ¡°~Boy needs to rest.~¡± Amir commanded, while Valiato kept an open ear.

    ¡°You¡¯re hurt badly, Ska. What happened?¡± She made efforts to soften the diction of her father. Amir couldn¡¯t gauge the exact changes, but knew that they happened.

    ¡°Well I had a thought that this was an old refrigerator. Not too many of these in the west and well-¡±

    Amir¡¯s stare brought the tribal boy back to focus.

    ¡°I wanted to get some wine.¡± Skaldi unenthusiastically spoke, tapping the numerous pots making a sloshing. As Valito translated Amir crossed his arms, motioning to the soldier to act.

    ¡°Yeah sure.¡± Bolato turned and flicked his finger on the forehead of the redhead. He winced and rested two fingers on the spot stung. Amir nodded, accepting this as sufficient justice. Afterall, he was no barbarian.

    ¡°~Ari Amir? What do we do now when Ska is hurt? Wasn¡¯t he supposed to spook the drivers?~¡± In the language of Iozian, she spoke in a high voice but when speaking Tripolian, she was deep and shaky. Amir took a moment goading Valiato into excitement.

    ¡°~Think you can spook their horses, kid?~¡± Purposefully slowing his words down to build up her energy.

    ¡°~Yes! Yes Ari!~¡± She squealed, jumping in acceptance. Skaldi, pushing himself up from his knees, undeterred by his desplay pain.

    ¡°I can help her.¡± He extended his foot to a pebble he dislocated during his quest for booze. He stomped into the air and caught it with his foot; balancing it on the toe of his sandal. Amir shook his head, rubbing the top of his turban.

    ¡°I don¡¯t get your deal. I¡¯ll be wearing my cloak-¡±

    GAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH!

    Everyone and everything went ghost silent. A harrowing voice belched out in what the whole group knew to be fear. Each member pulled out their weapons and position together, except Valiato who hid behind them. Bolato with his long shield and leaf shaped blade, and Skaldi with his bandolier of daggers.

    Waiting for the voice to ring out, Amir lowered his right arm and started to under swing it forward. Skaldi, noting the signal, hopped to his right. He started to exit the hillhole. Amir held a palm to the remaining two, with Bolato getting in front of the child and hiding in the corner of the hold.

    Amir sighed through his nose, in the circumstances that were, he couldn¡¯t risk his daughter just to test her aim. For now, he needed someone with range. The outside was icy, with streams and pools making the forest¡¯s rough terrain.

    ¡°Who-who are you!? What-what do you want!?¡± Amir overtook Skaldi, raising his left fist and shaking it left and right. Skaldi pilfered through his pockets and pulled out a net, with hooks and barbs on each knot. It''s not strong enough to stop a caravan cart, but it should slow it enough that they can catch up. Still, there must be something assailing the merchants. No, someone, Skaldi knew. Could it be the Falconers? They must be trying to get one over on them. Maybe.

    ¡°Hey-Hey stay back! I¡¯m on my knees here!¡± A terrified youngster pleaded. The two stalking gangsters could tell he was blubbering. Skaldi¡¯s searching eyes began to soften and shut for a moment, before then opening wide. Amir palmed his left hand down, as both hunched their backs down as their pace froze. A clearing between the floral bushes appeared and both went prone. As they peered over the edge, madness struck.

    ¡°Man, ya must really have some strong lung-lungs to be crying for so long. Do ya need help?¡±

    A shadow. A foul reeking came from the figure¡¯s direction. A skeletal frame, dripping in organ and blood.

    ¡°Dude, are ya okay? Where are your-your parents?¡±

    Small particles of moonlight fell onto the raspy, wobbly, voiced terror. Skaldi saw in the black night, its boots were stained in gross parts. How did this come to be?

    ¡°Stop it! You can take¡­ you can take my carriage! I-I didn¡¯t need it anyway.¡± The young trader was felled on his back, his excellent and proud reputation was stained by cold mud and redded lids.

    ¡°Are ya sure-sure? I don''t want ya to leave me.¡±

    A weapon was raised, and an irritating glow hit it. A wounded pickaxe, painted in its likely victims inner palettes. Amir coughed through his nose, he was glad that his daughter didn¡¯t see this travesty, a violation against any standard of good. It consoled him, but he was still upset at what was in front of him.

    ¡°NO! Running! Run time!¡± The merchant slipped backward, climbing off the washy pavement and went into a sprint away into the treeline. Chaining their night shakened minds to focus on the carriage, both men studied it. Amir pictured its luxurious goods and curios, a good profit to be made. Skaldi admired its wheels and its steeds, strong and disciplined donkeys. The redhead shifted onto his shoulder and tugged on the spear that was attached to the robed rogue. Amir shoved him off and held his leathery hands on him.

    ¡°Why not?¡± He hissed at the Tripol. Amir threw his eyes to the target, resting his partner. Wrinkles of confliction formed on his emerald shaded under eyes. He couldn¡¯t waste a spear against what was clearly a demon.

    Throwing his hair over his shoulder, Skaldi aimed his arm to the cliff below him. Quickly, he vaulted over the ledge and placed his feet onto the small roots in the misshapen earth face. He was no good at climbing up, but he was good at going down. Amir placed his arm at the spot where the tribal boy once was, but crashed his hand into the bush. Erupting, he peered to see Skaldi descending the slope.

    ¡°~Idiot boy. You¡¯re gonna lose our cart.~¡± Struggling to fall and swing to positions, all Skaldi could muster to reply was-

    ¡°Yeah sure.¡± Just a few yards and he could rest his feet and best the terror in the night. His head started to feel faint, his hands started to loosen.

    ¡°Oh yeah. I drank that wine.¡± Underestimating the strength of the fermented beverage and overestimating the strength of his kidneys, his body started to scrape the wall. One root maced him as he fell. He clung tightly, hoping that the victim maker wouldn¡¯t find him. It turned its thorny head to his direction. He couldn¡¯t find its eyes, if it even had any. All he saw was shark-like teeth. He felt it, it was too late. He waited. And waited. This is his last moment¡­

    ¡°Okie dokie!¡±

    He felt an eternal minute snail by. Stuttering in an instant, he lifted one eye open. The figure was gone. Alone with their object of search, the cart. He saw its shape becoming evermore small. A couple of fragmented rocks fell on his hair. Skaldi looked up to see Amir reaching out to him.

    He felt a warmth come to him, followed by Amir coughing, Amir¡¯s body, Amir¡¯s face, and finally the rocky rubble below them. Skaldi, becoming a human mattress, hurriedly yanked out of the huge Tripol man. They stood up, one covered in sores and aches, and one infested by sores and aches, then rushed to the road. Barely keeping themselves upright, each man stressed and struggling. But a hand reached out for Amir¡¯s polearm.

    ¡°You know¡­ you could have¡­ you could throw your spear-¡± Amir¡¯s titan tight fist struck the freckled covered nose of Skaldi. Muffled screams shot out of him.

    ¡°Ow! My face! My beautiful, beautiful, bruise covered face!¡± Amir swung again, failing to shut up the tribal boy. In fact, his shouts became more alarming. Bolato and Valiato, now appeared some sixty feet above them.

    ¡°Hey!¡± Bolato bellowed in noticeable anger.

    ¡°Did you guys get the cart? And stop hitting him too I guess.¡±

    Skaldi, held up by the mammoth Tripol, raised an exhausted finger to Bolato.

    ¡°No¡­ but I did find your cheese wheel.¡± He whistled in an arched throat. Amir shifted his shoulder to the pre-teen translator.

    ¡°~They¡¯re talking about cheese.~¡± She shrugged her shoulders whilst raising her hands. Amir, finishing one last cough, carended his fist into the redhead¡¯s forehead, prompting knocking him out. Finally, peace and quiet.

    ¡°~Did you at least throw your spear at it Ari?~¡± Amir, storming with anger, peeled the spear from his back, hung onto the back of the shaft, and hurtled across the starry scape. Its shape became a toothpick into the astroscape, and Amir was consumed by coughs, prompting him to faint.

    Vega¡¯s first day outside was pretty charming, she wondered, gazing out at the towering trees. She met some new friends, went to a curious place, saw the moon again, and noticed those four weirdos on the hill face.

    It was a shame that the merchant felt the need to give up his carriage, for whatever reason. She¡¯d picked up riding and driving the donkeys easily. Well, she wasn¡¯t really driving them, more just moving their leash. She thought about the merchant. She¡¯d thought of a word to describe him. Cute. Maybe she¡¯d find him and return his stuff back.

    ¡°Well that-that was a neat day. Time to find that¡­ voice.¡± As she completed her sentence, a whizzing behind her was coming, buzzing like a hoard of hornets. A plunging spear sliced her arm off in its entirety, flipping behind and releasing excess wood and hay into a gas cloud. She turned to her right shoulder then her left. This wasn¡¯t expected.

    ¡°Maybe this is a gift from the weirdo climbers on the hill.¡± She still had her dominant hand. It again reminded her of the art of the deal. Give something of yours to get something of someone else. She didn¡¯t want to lose her arm or want this spear, but that''s the business of men, she convinced herself.

    ¡°The Priest said to always look at the ¡®potential¡¯ of things. Don¡¯t think-think of this as a lost arm. Think of it as an arm surgery opportunity.¡±

 Chapter 3: Can I Bleed?

    Chapter 3: Can I Bleed?

    Progress develops best when the speculative, and disciplined reasoning of the philosopher and mathematician is in closet touch with the working hands of the artisan. Of course, groups of Oligarchs despised this concept. The practical arts were shunned by the majority of the educated (thus, distant) people, as those sectors of society were held to be the work of slaves and the poor.

    Though slavery was banned some hundred years ago. Curious, I know. Don¡¯t worry, the slaves became something else. The poor. But in certain counties and regions, study and practice are intimate. Other Oligarchs filled their cabinets of ministers and equestrians, fixated on bolstering their land¡¯s productivity. While concerned with mostly making matter into something useful, like wood, wool, gold, and precious metals, it was a genuine interaction with their populace.

    Your title compelling you to war tends to change one''s perspective. The land becomes a battlefield, a scythe, a sword. To not imagine a man with a spear and shield was progress for them. One Oligarch, with the praetorium of Suncatch, was shrewd. His members of the administration, instead of priests and nobles, included alchemists and engineers.

    He delegated them many tasks to increase the commerce and development of this holding. The writing of treatises on building, an encyclopedia on fishing, the cultivation of herbs, the construction of cities of windmills and watermills, ships, ordering of Tripolian weights and measures, Kai-Ren compasses, draining of bogs and making of dams, and the declaration that he will connect the far most west villages and towns with tools and crops to aid in the ongoing famine. Like the seldom docks of Cold Cavern.

    Plenty of his fellow men, lower and upper, demanded both the reason and the means to pay for these parts of state. He answered with a word. Booze.

    Cranes and pulleys, drawn by ox, had gone to clear up the abandoned grain factory. Vega gazed at the troops, the hands of the operation, as she tucked on the leash. The donkeys didn¡¯t follow. Piloting two animals is tough with just one hand. Maybe using my five fingers will work, she believed.

    ¡°Move-move! I need to see the soldiers.¡± The donkeys snorted, not noticing the scarecrow. Her fingers pulled, but the drivers were unyielding.

    ¡°Please?¡± Vega mumbled. Wondering how to compel something to act, a thought hit her. Hanging off the side of the cart, anchoring the top with her pickaxe. Quickly she hopped to the back of the cart and opened its entrance. A series of long casket boxes were inside. Hopping in, she checked the various contents. Clay, screws, rope, and plenty of planks filled one.

    ¡°Not it.¡± Seeds of wheat, dried barley, and sacks of brown rice.

    ¡°Nuh-uh.¡± Whips and whistles nested lined in rows.

    ¡°What weirdo orders a whip?¡±

    The next chest, she discovers a couple baskets of fruits. Many pears, apples, and pomegranates.

    ¡°Boing-go! That should do.¡± She had begun to raise the pickaxe when an out of place organic caught her eye. It had a cap and a stem, yet it didn¡¯t look like any fruit or vegetables she¡¯d seen.

    ¡°Must be a ghost fruit-fruit¡± Grunting, she had stuffed the object in her pocket. Climbing back to the seat just behind the donkeys, she had made a stick. A leading stick. Made out of a stick and an apple. The stick was made out of her. Stepping onto the arched back of the donkey, tapping and testing if it could carry her. It groaned in perceived acceptance.

    ¡°Ya be nice to me. I need to get an operation soon.¡± She insisted, now hanging on the neck of the donkey, holding an apple just above its nose. Both of them turnt their necks, along with their direction. A minute hoofed by, and Vega was visible to the crew. They were of wide frame, some with sunken skin in their hands and face. Vega, having finally fallen off the donkey, went to unlock the pair.

    Ripping off their strappings, the donkeys slowed to drink from the factory¡¯s ruined piping. They were in a happy mood, able to graze and be unchained. The soldiers, in dyed coral shirts and trousers, squat. A rotation similar to their style of warmaking was in order. The crew centurion would whistle, and the next ten would enter as the other ten would leave. Professional soldiers, Vega knew. What mysterious and incredible places they must have been. The people they met and knew, all because they chose to hold a sword for a living. One cutting an apple with a hammer approached.

    ¡°Sir-sir, do ya know the direction of the nearest hospital?¡± Vega took off her hat, having left the spear and pickaxe still embedded in the cart.

    ¡°I think. Who are you?¡± He queried. She wasn¡¯t hostile but he knew she wasn¡¯t collected. How the devil was she functioning.

    ¡°I¡¯m Vega. The Scarecrow. If you have a crow as a pet, it would be best-best to hold them when I¡¯m around.¡±

    The soldier heaved out a groan. He pressed his mouth to his cheek, trying to show that was very much unhappy with the pun. Like¡­ unbelievably unhappy.

    ¡°Albertus! Keep Foto in check.¡± He blasted backward.

    ¡°What''s wrong? Did he steal the wine again?¡± Strident and confused.

    ¡°Nah, just got a scarecrow here is all.¡±

    ¡°Oh. Well, put it in the bean field if you want.¡± The thick man took a slice of apple and sucked its skin off.

    ¡°Gotcha you lady. We got crops that need protecting for a little bit while we take care of this facility. Protect it, and you¡¯ll get your directions. Hell, I bet the crest won¡¯t mind if we help you with your drivers.¡± The soldier didn¡¯t care enough to haggle at Vega¡¯s existence. All he needed was a little entertainment and he was in a good mood. Raising his arm at the field, Vega saluted.

    ¡°Understood-stood.¡± She marched, picking up a log on the ground as she went. Guarding the sprouts and the thrush would be a task complete. Every time she encountered the corner of the field, she¡¯d present an arm and log, then move onto the side beside her. Branches were barren, dropping the last bit of leaves.

    Must be harvest time, Vega knew. Harvest festivals were something she had experienced, being the mascot and all. Although she wasn¡¯t allowed to engage in others, she was strictly required for Harvest. To tell stories of vampires and witches to the tourists. The day the guard saved a girl from a ghost. The time a girl would not stop talking about why you call a fish a fish. Good times.

    ¡°I wonder-wonder. Do they hold parties at the hospital as well?¡± She tried to rub her chin but she whacked herself in the face. Her face had a deep indent, and she struck the back of her head to even her skull out.

    ¡°Hey Vega! Are you done?¡± The apple man probed.

    ¡°Sure-sure! I¡¯ll¡­¡± Something is wrong. A shutter was heard. The field was hale. The trees were jagged and staving. Not of them showing any deviant or assassin. Vega took to the brush behind her.

    A new feeling struck her. However, this was now permanent. A spill churned in her belly, and her grin simmered. Fear. Pushing herself forward, she wrenched part of the bush open. Staring into the unknown she saw a simple thing. A single rusted bit of chainmail. That¡¯s reassuring.

    ¡°Oh. I thought a snake-snake was gonna bite me-¡± A corvid crashed into her chest. Vega, being of lightweight, was almost pulled off the ground before being planted upside down in the field. Rooting herself out, a crow sat beside her foot.

    ¡°Huh. That¡¯s new.¡± Squinting to examine the bird, it saw a small bracelet on its ankle. It seemed to have an engraving.

    ¡°Ya must be a royal bird. Sent to aid me in finding that weird voice-voice.¡± Vega heard a distant shouting match. One was masculine, one was more masculine.

    ¡°Smart pet. Must pet.¡± The crow shifted its neck and quickly nuzzled up to the hay lady. Flying up to the remaining shoulder of Vega, it chirped.

    ¡°Sun.¡±

    ¡°Yes the sun is out.¡± Vega agreed, noting its intelligence.

    ¡°Sun.¡±

    ¡°Yes?¡±

    ¡°My name is not Sun.¡± The crow corrected.

    ¡°Ah. Ya want a name?¡±

    ¡°Yes?¡± The shorn, shaven, and definitely not craven corvid answered. Vega took to thinking. What would be an interesting name for a royal raven. John? Nah, what does that even mean. Marcus? Too noble. Like a wise man trying to be smart. Damocles the Destroyer? Nope, that''s too lame.

    ¡°Ah! I got-got it.¡± She brushed the neck of the bird, a ceremony to its coronation.

    ¡°Ya are Kaliba.¡±

    A man, wearing a linen gambeson, sat on the far end of the factory floor. He noticed the stranger enter. The bird on its shoulder kept on saying sun.

    ¡°Hey Scarecrow. What are you doing with that payload?¡± He cornered her, noting Vega¡¯s marks and cuts.

    The story has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the violation.

    ¡°I get paid?¡± The scarecrow responded.

    ¡°No.¡±

    ¡°Ok. Can I get paid?¡±

    ¡°Focus. Why are you the one piloting that cart?¡±

    ¡°The trader ran away because he wanted to give it up for some reason.¡± The commander, confused, let go of his demeanor and became more casual.

    ¡°And he ran away, why?¡±

    ¡°I dunno. Maybe it was-was because of those weirdos on the cliff. They gave me a spear. And took-took my arm. It was a good trade.¡±

    Disappointing. The trader had to hire the help of a spirit, left it alone to deliver the supplies, was harried by the Falconers which now had gained additional men. At least the scarecrow was in good health, seeing at its obvious sarcasm. The commander chuckled.

    ¡°Shame he left you. Well I appreciate the work you¡¯re doing.¡± Vega smiled beamed and her short brows raised in understanding.

    ¡°You did your work in the field, so I¡¯ll help you. But then again, I do have a weaver here-¡±

    ¡°No-no thanks. I don¡¯t want to get infected.¡± The commander was taken aback. He was a veteran, this factory repair was his break. Not too many people in the Oligarchy would even see spirits and supernaturals.

    Like how one will never see a crocodile. And if you never did, you would believe it to be a dragon. The commander had been privy to all unnatural events, spirits he met at least one every five years. This one he couldn¡¯t classify. But then again, healing is the pursuit of priests and doctors.

    ¡°Understood. Well, the best I can do is give you this here map. Take the mountain pass, cross the tundra glacier and you¡¯ll see its spire behind some trees.¡± The commander¡¯s curiosity took him.

    ¡°Where you going by the way?¡±

    ¡°To find something. A voice.¡± Vega didn¡¯t look up at him. Must be the work of the other Oligarch in the neighboring province. Letting their lax government lead to the roaming clans of criminals. At least station some men there, the commander hoped in his mind.

    Most Oligarchs had a seasonal war schedule. Half a year and so on, with regents to govern in their absence. Seasoned and elder rulers fueled the war effort with only four or three months of warmaking, spending the rest delegating and molding their lands into a furnace. Producing ever growing rations, iron, and solid boots and sandals for war. Foolhardy or teenaged Oligarchs aimed towards glory and gold, spending increasingly more time to war and less time to the people they were titled to protect.

    Periatus, the bordering state, was helmed by such a staunch idiot. The commander hoped this spirit would be able to cleanse and act as a drug to its corrupting system. His skin looked cleaner and younger after meeting her.

    ¡°Well, good luck, miss. Be sure to check out the concert when you gets there, its something to love!.¡± Vega exited the grain factory, and found the donkeys connected to the cart. Climbing on, she tapped the rear of the donkey to continue her journey. She waved, and the soldiers waved back before returning to their tasks.

    ¡°So Kaliba. What-what do ya like to eat?¡±

    ¡°Sun.¡±

    ¡°Sorry, I don¡¯t got one of those.¡± Vega replied.

    ¡°Idiot.¡±

    ¡°Yeah, I know.¡± On a steady straight path, Vega was confident. The donkey¡¯s were fed, she made a new friend, and she was going to get an arm surgery. From a real doctor. Then it struck her.

    ¡°Wait-wait. Do I have insurance?¡± She had heard the term when the Captain''s tugboat broke when he was collecting crabs. He appeared mildly upset at the fact that the Mayor didn¡¯t supply him with an ¡®insurance claim¡¯, whatever that means. That must mean he could be entitled to a new boat, Vega thought. So if she didn¡¯t have arm insurance, she would have to pay for a new arm.

    ¡°Darn. I lost an arm and the worst part is that I have to worry-worry about paying for it. This has been the worst trade deal in the world.¡± A new emotion inhabited her. Anger, in a soft and gooey voice.

    ¡°Those weirdos were trying to help, but-but now I can¡¯t pay for help.¡±

    ¡°Idiot.¡± Kaliba encouraged.

    ¡°I know!¡± It had only been just a day, but they had become quick friends. ¡°Well, at least the spear looks neat. Must be-be from a place past out east.¡± Vega pondered the spear. How a weapon of war could look so elegant distracted her as she went along the road.

    Mountains made the path steep, with falling pebbles striking both animal and construct. Misty fog blocked their vision, but the donkeys in their strength, pulled them through the hurdling earth. Hours passed, and they had finished their hike to the last mountain. Landmarks caught her eye. The glacier, swimming in the frost sprinkled pool that was Lake Vortorus.

    ¡°They misspelled Victorious.¡± Vega scribbled with red crayon, changing the map, smiling on completion.

    ¡°Too bad it still got ice in it. Could have used a bath-bath before applying for insurance.¡± Donkeys shivered, and crow took to coughing on Vega¡¯s lap.

    ¡°Don¡¯t worry Kaliba. Ya are a royal bird. So the doctor will treat you for free.¡± She hugged the bird. The road over the course of the day shifted from tossed sediment to cleaned paved roads. Vega enjoyed the stability of the journey. It was becoming a real quest, she thought.

    ¡°I should write this down, maybe-be I can write a book-book.¡± Setting Kaliba beside her, she unraveled her spindle and took out her paper. She noticed something, an odd bit of journal.

    ¡°Dear Father,

    I want you to know that I¡¯m enjoying my stay at the farm. I discovered that the Yita Mountain has a cave with flowing water. It was an interesting place, it helped me study my instrument in peace. Please write to me about how my mother is doing. I am worried for her. I know you are both good at your field but I wish that she is doing well.

    From¡­¡±

    It was finely printed, in an authoritarian black. Vega was at a terrible pause. She was confronted by something treacherous. A vile anger took her.

    ¡°What kind-kind of weirdo word is Mother? Sounds like a wiseman trying to be smart.¡± Vega shouted to the wilderness that surrounded her. ¡°That''s stupid.¡± Taking to writing she recollected her travels. Using what remained of the red crayon, she started.

    ¡°Der Mista Mayear,

    Eye haviin faun annn tis uesst. Dat oicce is eally od. Butt eye faund a senturee famalee. Dat was cewl. An denn eye faund a crow. Dat was cewler. Laave u.

    Framm,

    Vagaa ta Scaiircrow.

    PeeS

    Doo eye havee innsurerance?¡±

    That will show that weirdo, Vega thought. That''s how you write something smart.

    Ruins dotted this area. Marble and crumbled statues of spirits long forgotten riddled the space.

    Up ahead was a mangled cathedral. Cake like in its excessive layers, with vines and overgrowth hung and swung from staircase to staircase. Rusted iron and bronze points flowered out the ground. A square shield covered in mushrooms rested by the still flowing fountain. This cathedral had long since been abandoned. Whether it be from bandits or ghosts, Vega did not know.

    ¡°Ah. More ghost fruits.¡± Vega eyeballed the one in hand. How smart plants are. To grow in places that not only men lived, but Recor as well.

    ¡°Nature is pretty neat.¡± Vega proclaimed.

    ¡°My name is not Sun!¡±

    ¡°I know, Kaliba.¡± Turning to see her bird friend, it stood on the head of the donkey. It shifted its head forward to the scarecrow.

    ¡°Idiot.¡± Kaliba cawed.

    ¡°Yeah I kn-¡±

    ¡°How many times do I have to say it? It¡¯s Mistress Lai! Not Sun.¡± A deep, hoarse voice descended down to Vega.

    ¡°Oh. Oh no.¡± Vega felt the swirling in her belly strike again.

    ¡°I hate this feeling.¡±

    ¡°Yes?¡± Kaliba prompted.

    ¡°Gotta to see what they¡¯re doing. Must stop-stop, feeling.¡± Vega¡¯s cadence quivered. Carefully not to make noise, she pulled the pickaxe out with just a finger and thumb. A donkey snorted, making Vega cleave the pickaxe out suddenly.

    ¡°Stop please-please.¡±

    ¡°I don¡¯t get the problem.¡± A relaxed angel spoke. Shouts bounced along the cylinder cathedral. Smoke roamed out of the top most door. Creeping up the steps, she stared at the arcades of pillars and broken halls this godly place once had. Up fifty feet, the staircase ceased, appearing to have broken off.

    ¡°Darn it! Now how am I gonna stop-stop this feeling? Leaving won¡¯t work! That''s what birds and tax collectors do when they feel bad.¡± Gazing at the cracks in the walls, her brows raised. Noting the patterns of talking to shouts, Vega lifted her remaining arm.

    ¡°Because it sounds cool!¡± The dry voice bellowed, and Vega struck the wall beside her, swinging. With each shout Vega swung then slammed the pickaxe into the cathedral. Vega¡¯s face however, turned more and more purple.

    ¡°Here¡¯s hoping this-this works.¡± Heaving the pick into the last bit of wall just before the staircase returned. Flinging her form onto the platform, she put her weapon in front of her.

    Two figures, one sitting with his hands on his head and the other giant and proud. Both colorful and exotic, but the huge one wearing a cape and furs. She was noble like, but with roughen hands and attire. Her eyes were burning suns and black eyeshadow made her fierce.

    The man was lesser, still bandit-like but not as expensive looking as the giant. His skin was orange and his eyes were a genuine night. He was well protected, having a bronze helmet and surrounding brim, yellowed dyed gambison and a mask to conceal his image. But the lady was more proud, showing her honey brown skin in a show of bravery. Or a sign of immaturity.

    ¡°So! Mistress Lai.¡± He bemoaned.

    ¡°Actually-¡± She went on her toes and pressed a finger to her lips.

    ¡°Oh my god-.¡± The man waxed his forehead for sweat.

    ¡°Lady Lai! That''s the one!¡± She sat down, laying her head on the shoulder of the man. Closing her almond lids, he took the opportunity to raise his head.

    ¡°So! Lady Lai and Amber Chakrit, the fierce bandits of the Falconers.¡± He shot his arm upward, waggling his fingers to the gray sky. A caged hawk gnawed at its cage across from him. ¡°With a grand total of one hawk. Or one asshole more like it.¡± Chakrit scoffed.

    ¡°Calm down Amber, it''s only been a month. Plus I-¡±

    ¡°We.¡± He instantly corrected it.

    ¡°We stole from that tax collector payload. And they only leave when?¡± She beckoned him to answer.

    ¡°When they feel bad.¡± He confirmed lowering his head to his knee.

    ¡°That''s right! We stole money and we had a moral obligation to do it. We should do that more often.¡±

    ¡°Then why don¡¯t we get a cart and steal from your family¡¯s bank?¡± Chakrit questioned, passive aggressively.

    ¡°No! That''s too hard.¡±

    ¡°Ok girl.¡± He laughed through his teeth.

    ¡°I¡¯m not a girl! I am a lady! Delicate and radiant like a cherry blossom you dolt!¡± She bonked the metal cap of the servant, with him shaking the strike off.

    Vega was a loss for words. It was just a giant girl and a tired guy. Her smile returned as she stuck her head by the door frame.

    ¡°Why did I feel so-so scared? Well, time to-¡±

    ¡°What was that?¡± Fear returned. Lai pointed towards the door.

    ¡°What do you mean?¡±

    ¡°What was THAT? By the door.¡± Lai was baffled, standing up and stomping to the ruined entrance.

    ¡°Quick! Think-think!¡± Vega whispered to herself. She didn¡¯t want the bandit to discover her, for whatever reason.

    ¡°I got it! Stealth mode, activate!¡± Returning to neutral position, she clamored onto the floor, going inanimate.

    ¡°Oh. False alarm, it''s a scarecrow.¡± Lai took a breath of relief.

    ¡°It''s a scarecrow?¡±

    ¡°It''s a scarecrow.¡± Lai reassured Chakrit.

    ¡°Oh. Well put it by the hawk if you want.¡± Chakrit chimed, as he struggled to feed the misbehaving bird.

    The giant lady kneeled beside the weird farm piece. Having great pride, Lai pressed the weird drawn eyes of the bag head. Turning her head to the hardworking Chakrit, she rubbed her cheeks and her eyes went to the ground. Her mouth opened to say something, but words did come out.

    Vega had begun to feel something. Not fear nor anger, a physical need. Her eyes were permanently open for this entire trip if not since she lived in the village, but something changed. A burning, a searing, and a tremendous request from her eyes to shut. To blink. Vega realized this, and struggled.

    ¡°I still don¡¯t get it, why have a second name?¡± Chakrit murmured.

    ¡°Because family matters! I know this is a recent change for southerners but this makes sense. What if two people had the same name in the same town? We need surnames.¡± Arguing, she changed from her bashful knee to a proud stand.

    ¡°You¡¯re right, princess of nothing. Your authority on naming conventions is unmatched.¡± He dryly spoke, shutting the cage on the now calm hawk.

    ¡°Whatever.¡± Lai continued to poke the eye of Vega, reminding her the need. The need. To. Blink. Vega¡¯s eyes felt volcanos spill onto her drawn pupils and boil and melt. Infernos roared across her lids, and all of this could be stopped. If. She. Blinked.

    ¡°When we find a cart, do you want to¡­ say hang out for a while Amber?¡± Lai , her eyes darting from the scarecrow and Chakrit.

    ¡°Ah, but we need the money Lady Lai.¡±

    ¡°Alright¡­ how about we do the job?¡±

    ¡°What job? There¡¯s million jobs. There''s the river boat casino in Jukinas, the Refrigerator at Haliovid, and the other islands in west and east.¡± He briefly listed. Lai paused and reclined on the doorway. She bounced her head up and down, in confirmation to release the answer.

    ¡°The Lai Bank. We can get there before that redhead tribal does, plus I can sneak us in.¡± Placing her hand on the shoulder of the diligent man, his eyes raised slightly before closing them.

    ¡°That would be nice.¡± Lai took in the sight. His face was rugged, but had a rustic peace to it. She, a former daughter of a rich family, had learned to appreciate the art of the working man. And of Chakrit¡¯s sour but genuine nature. She loved him.

    Vega was now at the point of combusting on the spot. Maybe blinking once wouldn¡¯t hurt, she thought. Going tortoise speed, Vega blinked her eyes. Oh, that felt good. Maybe a little bit more. And some more. And¡­ Why is that giant lady screaming at me?

 Chapter 4: Thats Not Gonna Hurtâ€¦

    Chapter 4: That''s Not Gonna Hurt¡­

    Have you ever wondered about what a rock feels? I have¡­ It''s amazing, really! Maybe it''s a pebble in a puddle, could it feel disagreeable with its temperature? What is it like for an object to do an ordinary things without ordinary senses? Unsurprisingly, people don¡¯t think much about this normally.

    A person like me has studied about whether a non sentient object could feel, and yet people nowadays can¡¯t spare a thought for the feelings of others. It¡¯s something to be fascinated with!

    The tall bandit wasn¡¯t fascinated, sadly.

    ¡°IS THAT THING BLINKING!?¡± Lai squealed, her face turning to chalk.

    ¡°Golly.¡± Vega remarked.

    ¡°Can-n you stop clinging to me-e?¡± Chakrit struggled, as the mountain Lai jumped into his arms and wouldn¡¯t let go.

    ¡°IT''S A GHOST!¡±

    ¡°No-o Lai. It-s a scarecrow-w. Now get-t off me!¡± He released, plopping her on the ground.

    ¡°Sorry, I just was scared of the weird noise-noise so I went to check it out.¡± Sheepishly rubbing her head in embarrassment, she gingerly chuckled. Lady Lai hid behind Chakrit, pressing her face to his helmet.

    ¡°Is that thing talking or have I lost it?¡±

    ¡°It is. But to be fair, you never really had it to begin with.¡± Chakrit sneered.

    ¡°So-so, if you guys don¡¯t mind. I am gonna-¡± Lady Lai gripped the bird cage and raised it to Vega.

    ¡°Wait! Want to fight us?¡± Lady Lai, slightly braver, presented the task to the scarecrow.

    ¡°Not really? I kinda have to go to the hospital.¡± Vega said, waving her short appendage. The two bandits looked at each. They both thought the exact same thing.

    ¡°Well, Amber here can sew you-¡±

    ¡°No. I need a doctor.¡± Yep. She¡¯s dumb.

    ¡°Look scarecrow, you can¡¯t go to the doctor.¡± Chakrit spoke, knowing that healing a spirit was a matter of priestly duties.

    ¡°Maybe you''re right. I don¡¯t have insurance.¡± The pair turned to each other again. Maybe she isn¡¯t as dumb as she thought.

    ¡°How about this ghost? You fight us so we can test out our new bird, and we¡¯ll guarantee you get a good doctor.¡± Lai gently spoke, stepping out in front of Chakrit

    ¡°But ya got sharp-sharp stuff.¡± Pointing to the Kerambit and Guan-dao in their hands. Chakrit shook his head in disagreement.

    ¡°Oh right. Ok, I¡¯ll use my meteor chain. And Amber will use his staff.¡±

    ¡°I will?!¡± He jumped to the face of the giant lady, pleading to have some real action. She placed a calming hand on his chest.

    ¡°Calm down Amber, she¡¯s a simple soul.¡± Lai spoke.

    ¡°Oh she¡¯s real simple alright.¡±

    ¡°Are we-we gonna fight-fight or what?¡± Vega pushed her face between the conflicting parties. ¡°Because I¡¯m not sure if I can bleed.¡± Chakrit¡¯s orange paprika face turnt to apple cinnamon.

    ¡°Oh, you¡¯ll wish you could.¡± Grabbing his weapon in an iron grip, and whacking the scarecrow past them.

    ¡°That¡¯s my line now.¡± Lai claimed.

    ¡°Shall we dance?¡± Vega started to shuffle her feet. ¡°I want to see-see your moves.¡± Vega smirked. This was her moment.

    ¡°Attack!¡± Lai swung her skull sized flail to the floor, forming a dust screen.

    Vega peered at the cluttered air around her, to see where her fight partners were. She waved at the dust surrounding her. A falcon¡¯s beak appeared.

    ¡°Oh. Hi-Hi-¡± The falcon skewered her arm and dived to the spiral staircase below. The bird was of monstrous wing span, with it barely contained in the corridor. It chomped its jaw at her neck.

    ¡°Ya must be hungry. Got a present for ya.¡± It held its beak at her face, and snapped together like a bear trap. Its mouth was not the cow tail neck of Vega, but the mushroom she put in. It released its spores within the system of the falcon. Reeling and gasping for air, its eyes turned red. Vega felt bad.

    ¡°Sorry. Maybe only ghosts can eat that.¡±

    ¡°Eat this!¡± Chakrit took to using his staff as a spear, carrying them both further in. At the bottom of the staircase, they entered into the cathedral¡¯s catacombs, filled with cobwebs. Chakrit attacked with less speed and more momentum, carrying each step and twist into the next strike.

    Vega couldn¡¯t keep up and used the darkened corners of their arena to buy her space. A strike would land in a thick web, another on the pillar of the building. The noise of the battle bounced around, as Vega took to hearing if anything was around her. Each second she spent was each foot Chakrit got. Closer. Dealier. Chakrit¡¯s voice came out, brimming with confidence.

    ¡°What''s the matter, scarecrow? Can¡¯t keep up?¡± Vega heard her chance.

    ¡°No. But I can keep you down.¡±

    The author''s tale has been misappropriated; report any instances of this story on Amazon.

    ¡°Huh? What do you me-?¡± Vega skipped over a hole in the room, allowing Chakrit to walk into the hole without thinking,

    ¡°-eaaaaannnn!¡± A metallic clang exitted the hole.

    ¡°Ow!¡±

    ¡°Sorry.¡± Vega bent down to the hole.

    ¡°No worries. I needed practice.¡± An honest response.

    ¡°Oh. Then-then I¡¯m not sorry.¡±

    ¡°You will be.¡± Lady Lai struck her side, crashing both the flail and Vega through the catacomb wall. The hay girl flung back to the main part of the cathedral, sliding across the sage wood floor. Lady Lai stepped out from the darkness of the catacombs and into the bright chambers of what appeared to be a room for prayer.

    Vega lifted herself up, to see Lady Lai dropping the weapon aside and moving to a wrestling stance. Wide spaced feet, her chest lower to the ground, ready for the scarecrow¡¯s next move.

    ¡°Just want to let you know. I¡¯m not scared of you anymore.¡±

    ¡°You¡¯re not scared of girls anymore-more? I¡¯m glad.¡± Vega was truthful. Lai was infuriated.

    ¡°That''s it.¡± Blinding rage controlled her, as she rammed into Vega. Grabbing her by her feet and holding her like a baseball bat, she swung her into the many shelves and crates around. Vega¡¯s smile filled with small splinters.

    ¡°Thanks for the toothpicks.¡±

    ¡°Shut up!¡± Throwing her into a set of pews, Vega spat out the shrapnel. Lai marched up to the laying body, her brows melded to a fixed anger. Stretching out towards the pew. Vega¡¯s hand brushed up against something. A worn out lever on the ground.

    ¡°What are you gonna do now? Give up or I¡¯ll¡­ what will I do?¡± Lai pondered. Vega had an idea. A terrible idea. A terrible, no good, very bad idea. She pulled it. An pipe connected into the top of the room flooded liquid onto both of them.

    ¡°Damn it! I just had this cleaned.¡± Lai complained, quickly forgetting about her opponent.

    ¡°Huh. Tastes like holy oil.¡± A soakened glove brushed against the face of Lai. She turned to see that Vega was there.

    Well, Vega¡¯s bag head.

    With no eyes.

    Or¡­ mouth.

    Lai saw the muddy black features melt off and fall into the pool.

    ¡°Mmmh!¡± Vega had no mouth, and really wanted to scream.

    ¡°Where did your face go!?¡±

    ¡°Mmmh Mwwh!¡± Both were in a figurative and literal loss for words. Vega, in a bid to redraw her face, ran through the oil laced room. Lai caught her breath and set her mind straight. Before running after her, Lai looked up to the pipe above her.

    ¡°Sanguians have such weird marriage ceremonies!¡± Bumping around the halls of the cathedral, Vega held her one arm in front. She heard the distant cries of both her opponents.

    Need to find a crayon. Unfinished murals, packs of broken tools lay all around. She tripped and barely kept herself upright. Running into walls, statues, and a few cobwebs, Vega was frantic. I really need to smile. I¡¯m starting to feel bad, she knew. The whirlwind stomach sense returned.

    ¡°Idiot.¡±

    ¡°Kmmlmh!¡± The corvid was just a few feet in front of her.

    ¡°Chakrit? Where''s the falcon?¡±

    ¡°Got it. Though it''s giving me weird looks at me. Is that bad?¡± An echoing screech came to Vega, along with Chakrit¡¯s squealing.

    ¡°Yes, that''s bad Amber.¡± Lai¡¯s voice was coming closer. Kaliba leapt onto her shoulder. It pecked her head to the left.

    ¡°Gmlmmh.¡± Tumbling into a wall, she kicked what felt to be a rock. Powder sprinkled on her knee.

    ¡°Mmmh blmmmh mh klmmh!¡± Crouching down, she pressed her hand on a pile of charcoal. Searching for something to create a new eye, she gripped onto a small shard. First smacking it against her face. Then carefully drawing out her uneven eyes.

    ¡°Gotcha!¡± Vega darted from the duo¡¯s attacks, dropping the charcoal piece. She attempted to pantomime, shaking her arm in a cross.

    ¡°What did you call my mom?!¡± Lai, enraged by Vega¡¯s clear insult, jumped forth. Chakrit cast the drugged falcon upwards. Kaliba cooed, seemingly unable to understand the battle between the parties. Vega ran up a flight of stairs, and began to throw all kinds of objects.

    Ducking and diving around, Vega continually had to give ground to the Falconers. Crossing a half completed bridge, a bed of loose scaffolding clouded over the fight. Swinging his staff horizontally, it broke the last remaining parts holding the structure together. A shaking made them fall off balance. Each person quickly held to whatever was firm, as more parts of the bridge broke off.

    ¡°Amber, the secret tool. Use it!¡±

    ¡°But we haven¡¯t tested it yet!¡± He shouted, beginning to slide off the collapsing bridge.

    ¡°Just do it!¡± He threw off his wrist guard, revealing a cartridge combined with a hook with many barbs. Chakrit grabbed a rock and hit the box. A booming smoke appeared in his face, as the hook impaled deep into the cathedral wall. Both Vega and Lai grabbed onto him, flying upwards onto a wooden beam.

    ¡°Haha! It worked!¡± Wiping the sweat off herself, Lai helped Vega off on a nearby opening. Both of the Falconers heaved and took sigh of relief. They were back on solid ground, and in the same room they started.

    ¡°Whew! Was that fight or what?¡±

    ¡°To be honest, fighting in a temple was kind of the change of pace I needed. Good work Lady.¡± He rested his palm on the towering woman.

    ¡°No worries. Plus if you didn¡¯t make that grappling hook, we¡¯d all be dead.¡± Lai bashfully smiled.

    ¡°Thanks for reminding me. Now my good mood is ruined.¡± Chakrit returned to his contemptible position and Lai grew upset.

    ¡°What? We¡¯re bandits. That''s what happens.¡± Vega opened one of their packs and a pencil with her left hand. Quickly, she used it to redraw her mouth.

    ¡°Alright! I won.¡± Both turned towards her.

    ¡°What?¡±

    ¡°I won. I beat you. So now-now can I go get a doctor?¡±

    ¡°That''s not how¡­ nevermind.¡± Lai rubbed her hands across face, and began to search through the pack, pulling out a card with the name Linda on it and pinned it on her.

    ¡°Look scarecrow. Go to the ¡®doctor¡¯ you need and you¡¯ll be fine. If that doesn¡¯t work, just say the Falconers sent you.¡± She groaned, clearly wanting to have a bath.

    ¡°Thanks pretty lady.¡± Vega closed her eyes and gave a dorkish grin. Lai was taken aback. She appreciated the complement, but swiftly returned to her proud personality.

    ¡°No problem. What''s your name?¡±

    ¡°Vega. You-you?¡±

    ¡°Lady Lai. And no, it''s not Sun Lai.¡± She complained.

    ¡°I think you¡¯d like Kaliba then. He keeps on saying his name is not Sun-Sun.¡± Vega pointed to the crow on her shoulder.

    ¡°So that''s where he went.¡± Lai¡¯s eyes widened.

    ¡°Who?¡±

    ¡°Nevermind. Go get your doctor, Vega. Maybe we¡¯ll see you in the city when we¡¯re done recovering.¡± Lai smiled, finally someone with manners that wasn¡¯t Amber.

    ¡°Okie dokie! See ya.¡± Vega walked through the doorway, pulling the pickaxe in the way, and dropped downward. Lai rested her shoulder on the doorway.

    ¡°How do you think she got here?¡±

    ¡°Don¡¯t know. Where do you think she¡¯ll go?¡± He chirped, petting the falcon into a blissful sleep.

    ¡°Places. People. Maybe even-¡± The rolling of wheels caught their ears.

    ¡°Wait. Does she-?¡± Chakrit rushed past her, lowering his head down to the cathedral floor. Vega drove the donkeys outside the cathedral.

    ¡°No way. She had a cart this whole time!¡±

    ¡°Man. We really need some more men.¡± Lady Lai sunk into a fetal position. ¡°God damnit. She¡¯s going to Core Civitus!¡±

 Chapter 5: Core Civitus

    Chapter 5: Core Civitus

    The chopping of trees had started to grow loud. Vega saw faraway tree peaks fall followed by a crash.

    ¡°Finally. Must be-be people.¡± She opened her map against the seat, with Kaliba holding down one corner. She looked at her journey at this point. The map was of the entire region of Suncatch, with its many tundras and steppes. But an odd thing caught her eye. It turned out that in the southern east most parts of the province had multiple names. And one was emboldened, proclaiming its importance.

    ¡°The city of Core Civitus? That sounds cool.¡± Raising her head, the setting sun raced through the forest. A roaring bustle of voices ran with it.

    ¡°Huh. Must be a lot of singers there.¡± Now passing by the numerous logging camps, she stood up in her seat. A series of enchanting and well made gravestones along the street. The clearing in the forest openned up, and the majesty of man along with it. Sitting beside the Titanica river, underneath the jumping hills, and guarded by the armies of natural growth, it was one of the remaining jewels of the Oligarchy.

    Orchards, manors, and farmhouses outside the walls of the city, feeding the ever hungry populus. The city was a series of islands separated by canals, flowing still to the sea beyond. An urban environment was present, as well as a diverse one. People of all sizes, shapes, and color walked and crowded about. They drank from the many aqueducts and tea parlors, ate from the hundreds of restaurants and resorts, and worked in the same markets and offices. Vega drove into the gateway, controlled by a military police force.

    ¡°What do you bring?¡± A soldier clad in textile armor.

    ¡°Uh. Stuff from a merchant guy?¡± He was unamused, but knew that her business was necessary.

    ¡°Move along spirit. Praise be to Recor.¡± As she drove by, she took in the various distinct creatures that roamed here. Although the Oligarchy was domained by humans, it wasn¡¯t limited to them exclusively. The Oligarchy is one of the few human ruled realms on this side of the continent, as well as having the policy of acceptance of other races and realms. Some Oligarchs were even encouraged to have mixed race parentage programs.

    The Sanguians, Kai Ren, and the Matigas Natao are the majority human groups. The Sanguians of course the humans that staged an exodus out of the Vampire lands of the far north. The Kai Ren from the demons of Nemesis from the eastern islands. And the Matigas Natao originated from this continent.

    The groups met together some four hundred years ago and formed the Oligarchy. In order to promote fraternity among them, other peoples were allowed to join so long as they pledged fealty to the government and gained citizenship if they fought for them for two decades.

    Mixed races beings such as vampiric humans, offsprings of spirit saints, werefolk, and others were accepted. Afterall, the Oligarchy promoted an ¡®all hands on deck¡¯ mentality.

    Species aside from humans like the Vermanoids, Kapre and their saplings, and even demons were allowed in. While they are rare in secluded places, they are more common in cities, like Core Civitus, the birthplace of the Oligarchy. ¡®Happiness, free for all that bears a shield¡¯ was engraved on boards and courts. A few parks with places to rest wagon and animals caught Vega¡¯s eye. Just a couple blocks ahead, a spire behind some trees loomed.

    ¡°Aha! Time for me-me to get some fix.¡± Her presence in the city was unremarkable. She blended well with these people. And the song of the city was chaotic. Vega loved this, humming along with its motifs and countless instruments.

    A singular staircase high above a nearby market with a plump orator standing. He was a musician, he sang out using a newspaper as his sheet.

    ¡°The war effort goes well! This season, we have claimed massive tracts of land, including Curatus!¡± Cheers ring out from the crowd. She noticed the more spontaneous roar of the rabble, which contrasted with the humble murmuring troops in the audience. The soldiers agreed with the orator.

    ¡°News from the northern front. The remaining Tankas dueled with the mighty Ani! They struck blows with him, driving him back into the nangling pit he came from!¡± The listeners were entranced, jubilant at the news. Soldiers held their breath, sighing and became a mute chorus.

    ¡°This Ani guy must-must be some mean celebrity.¡± Vega walked away, into a more secluded district. More marble and plaster, unlike the small fires in the less wealthier areas. Robed figures were the few men that passed by. They took more notice of the crude construct. Not unkind, more perplexed. Don¡¯t spirits smell nice?

    ¡°Man. These guys must have-have never seen a ghost before.¡± This section of the city stood out for its signs were written in script, with other buildings using symbols and murals to advertise their business.

    ¡°It''s been a while since I read a book. It¡¯d be nice to read a page-page.¡± A line of scholars entered and left this library. Vega entered, seeing it in a state of service and replacement. Of Civitus¡¯s three libraries, they had long been stuffed with old manuscripts and scrolls.

    Due to the recent orders of the Oligarch ruling here, printing houses and squads of scholars bonded to those buildings. With translators and paper artists, they were ordered to produce as many leather bound books as possible. Which dropped the price of books, but swiftly raised the literacy of his subjects.

    And aside from the patricians'' contempt with this new policy, it had little downside. Besides, they would be reading government made works to undermine any sort of revolt. And for the richer class of client, they reassured their dominance over the masses by granting them lessons and certain gifts.

    Once such a gift was the book ¡®Rural Commodities'', which in this place flew off the shelves and into the hands of manormen. Vega, without interference, grabbed a copy off its shelf. Sprinting through its three hundred and eighty eight pages, she took it in breathlessly. But not without blinking a couple times, of course. Its subjects included the arrangement of farm buildings, the biology of plants, and its central focus, the mystical process of distilled alcohol.

    She turned back to the men purchasing the book. While most were of richer status, some were of average class. A party of thrift and stewardship took them. A separate stall for buying liquor licenses achieved high profit. She jumped to see the fine print, noticing it was granted so long as the government monitored their production and they contributed two tons of light wine to the legions each year.

    Ensure your favorite authors get the support they deserve. Read this novel on Royal Road.

    ¡°Soldiers must really like alcohol.¡± Journeying through the categories of shelves, Vega judged the readers. Mostly men who¡¯s youth existed only in conversation, and what remained were faces powdered with the ash of the past.

    A thought came to the scarecrow along with Kaliba¡¯s fluttering of their wings. A strange curiosity disagreed with her mood. She wondered, no, she implored herself.

    ¡°Who is Kaliber?¡±

    ¡°I don¡¯t know.¡± Kaliba answered.

    ¡°Ya sure?¡±

    ¡°Yes-yes.¡±

    ¡°Aw. I hoped ya would. Oh well, time to look for an answer in the books.¡± Vega wandered through the multitude of sections within the library. She searched in history, in the complicated webways of lives before and present. Climbing the steps high, she scrolled through the assertions of scientists and artisan in vain.

    No Kaliber to be found.

    Taking her leave, she stopped in the philosophy room, the only room were people were allowed and encouraged to yell.

    There was a theme in the Oligarchy, and it emerged in a pack of philosophers arguing. How to treat one''s citizens. Some argued for strong ones, others for smart ones. A new group of them held that those two parties missed the point. This group included the Oligarch of this region, even though he was not present.

    ¡°He who is only an athlete is too crude, too vulgar, too much a savage. He who is a scholar only is too soft, too inexperienced, too effeminate. The ideal citizen is the scholar athlete, the man of thought and the man of action.¡±

    Incredibly sexist, but that was their philosophy. Their dedication to it was visible. In corners some studied, others spoke and argued, in one was a familiar boy. Of straight brown hair. A tad too adorable, but of good respect and health.

    ¡°Oh. It''s the cutie from the forest.¡± He was alone, and had a stack of scrolls and books reaching his chest. Of larger eyes but still similar to the Magitanese¡¯s sharp ended lids. Broad shouldered and clean shaven, his body was strengthened by practiced exercise rather than labor. A pleasing ball nose complemented by his skin being clear. He was a maintained and handsome teen.

    A charming image, Vega knew. After all, she was just an inch behind him. A disgusted sentence came out.

    ¡°Work, work, work. Busy, busy, busy. I¡¯m not here to have fun.¡± She continued to analyze him, like an artist to a sculpture. His speech was firm but uncomfortably cautious. Careful to speak casually, unnatural.

    ¡°Can¡¯t even send someone to recover my cart. Why would they send me instead of an actual driver?¡±

    ¡°Maybe ya need to learn how to help-help people with your hand-hands instead of your mind?¡±

    ¡°Well that would be¡­¡± Trailing off, he spun around to see the grinning construct right behind him.

    ¡°Hello¡­¡±

    ¡°What''s good?¡± Vega blinked slower than the lifespan of a tree.

    ¡°I¡­ I¡¯m good.¡± The trader pranced around with his eyes, looking for someone to save him from what was clearly a demon.

    ¡°You don¡¯t look so good. Do you need help-help?¡± Sliding onto the seat across from him. The merchant was stone still. He began to stroke his ponytail and bowed his head in concession.

    ¡°Sure¡­¡±

    ¡°Alright! What do you need help with?¡±

    ¡°Do you still have my cart?¡± He bit his lip.

    ¡°Yep-yep.¡± That was good, he thought. Maybe this creature isn¡¯t as disturbed as he thought.

    ¡°Oh bless Recor and the spirits beyond! Where is it?¡±

    ¡°I parked it.¡±

    ¡°Where?¡±

    ¡°I dunno.¡± Vega shrugged. He slumped forward on his book. He sobbed into the book, pounding the table feebly.

    ¡°Graham¡¯s gonna kill me.¡± He sobbed into the book, pounding the table feebly.

    ¡°J-just kidding! It''s just a couple streets from here.¡± Vega patted the back of the merchant.

    ¡°You promise?¡± He raised his head sheepishly.

    ¡°No worries, I can walk you over there in a second.¡±

    ¡°Why not now?¡± Squinting at the odd hay lady.

    ¡°Can¡¯t. Need surgery.¡±

    ¡°You know what¡­ I¡¯m not even gonna argue. Forget this work. I¡¯m so ready to get to help this scarecrow thing that I thought was a demon. And now I¡¯m so emotionally drained that I can¡¯t even muster up a question or a proper response. Let¡¯s go scarecrow.¡±

    ¡°Thanks!¡± Vega beamed. Filling up his backpack with the last of work, they walked to the hospital. Not a harmonious sight, but a comforting building to those that needed it. Most of the city was a blend of multiple cultural styles of architecture. Some of them mix together on corners, or entire blocks melting together. With the roof tiles of the Sanguians, the wide open windows of the Magitas Natao, and the brightly painted reds and golds of the Kai Ren, it was the boiling forge of the future. Wherever Core Civitus goes, the Oligarchy typically follows.

    But the hospital was staunchly practical. It was covered in hundreds of signs written in different cants, symbols, and messages from various cultures, its main purpose was clear. To heal and aid those disadvantaged. As the pair strolled by the fence of the building, it didn¡¯t appear that there was a plague.

    Rather, a famine. Plenty of beings turned skeletal, with nurses turned waiters came in with nutrient rich juice. As the minutes passed by, the pots containing the elixir grew more and more empty. The front door was unguarded except by a bell. Vega shook it to irritable effect.

    ¡°So¡­ what''s your name?¡±

    ¡°Just call me Vega. Vega the-¡±

    ¡°Scarecrow. Got it.¡± He wasn¡¯t having this. A living farm tool is what terrified him all those days ago. It was insulting.

    ¡°Your name cutie?¡± Vega spoke in a merely platonic way. She held no romantic desire. But this did give the merchant pause.

    ¡°Right¡­ Luiocles is the name.¡± They waited and the door was opened. A voice chirped in a low crunch.

    ¡°If you need food, can¡¯t help.¡±

    ¡°Do you need food?¡± Vega peered behind the door. A large antoid, in a long striped dress was what see saw. Keratin mandibles made its mouth and tongue. Its compound eyes were a blood vein, pumping and shifting occasionally.

    ¡°We were supposed to get our nutrients yesterday. But the neighboring county¡¯s bandits have been screwing with our damn payloads.¡± Vega turned toward Luiocles in an encouraging manner. Her gaze terrified him again, and all he could make was a small protest.

    ¡°Fine! But you are going to pay me back, Scarecrow.¡±

    ¡°Gotcha.¡± She saluted her new friend and turnt back to the doctor. She pulled out the Linda card. She held it out in front of the insect.

    ¡°So¡­ can-can I get fix-fix?¡± Looking at the doctor, he seemed reluctant to act.

    ¡°Okay. Not my finest moment but I¡¯ll take you in.¡±

    ¡°Wait! I have to ask. Do you take ghosts as patients?¡± The antoid doctor glanced around at the street, hiding by the door. When he stopped scanning he whispered.

    ¡°Yes.¡±

    ¡°Good. So I can get treated by a doctor.¡± The antoid turned his head, before shaking it.

    ¡°Idiot.¡± Kaliba cawed.

    ¡°No. Doctor, Kaliba. He¡¯s a doctor.¡± The antoid waved Vega inside and she followed. As he closed the door she began to reminisce on her journey so far.

    ¡°Man, city folk are just the best!¡±

 Chapter 6: The Sorcerers Loss

    Chapter 6: The Sorcerer''s Loss

    The Tripolian Empire practiced many types of slavery. To a personality, to gods, to arms, and of course, to chains. It was a necessary good in their eyes. A defining institution in their economy and society.

    A large number of officials were enslaved themselves and even owned some. Some were native to their continent and some were the captured soldiers of the nations they had fought. In their eyes not forcing former enemies into bondage would lead to revolt.

    Via the institution of slavery, training them in their thought and breeding fanatical pride in Tripolian tradition, was a better reinforcement than stomping rebellions.

    To be owned by the state was a status symbol, to be a literal part of a culture''s operations. Afterall, incorporating the tactics and customs of outside people was more Iozian.

    A sorcerer remarked that the death blow to the Oligarchy was when the Marian family aided the slave revolt a hundred years ago, and removed slavery from their nation.

    Those slaves could have been loyal troops and hands. Now they were useless and the Oligarchy would be forced to concede to the tribes that inhabited them. He saw that attempting to make a foe into oneself was a fruitless effort.

    Not that he loathed other cultures, but believed that they shouldn¡¯t mix. They lose the strengths and beauty inherent in them. Like metals. It takes an expert to succeed, much less continually make good yields on human merchandise. No one could do that. Except him.

    Ani was this man. He lived in the former Clan Adildaque Fortress, now titled the Tomb Fortress. He looked out towards the window and saw his domain. It wasn¡¯t dead, it was a well trimmed orchard. A fine tuned city. Modest, and tight. Not like the dumb deserts and mountain ranges the Tripol like to settle on. And especially not fat and overflowing like those bastard Oligarchs.

    Proud but not narcissistic like so many rulers. Just like his family. Born in the purple yes, but not pampered. To accuse the once thriving clan of the insult showed your lack of understanding. They maintained many estates of the empire and had begun the damoclean process of catching up to the Oligarch¡¯s technology. That was the only thing keeping them afloat, Ani thought.

    Each improvement, every new study, and whatever technic discovered threatened to disable the nation. Introduce a heating system to warm homes with the use of coal and pipes? That would drive the mining industries away from focusing on iron. Display a ship design that could survive the freezing seas so they can send diplomats to the vampire counts? They forget about transporting armies, wasting time traveling by land. He had many plans and operations to add to the ancient Tripolian Empire. But the slow and careful effort to do that was something the clan was rightfully proud of.

    One invention however, of his own design, had just shown an inkling of success. He walked out to a standing woman. Barely motionless but very lifelike. Her pupils were sharpened rivers creating a ¡®S¡¯. Skin, blackened despite being covered in thick garment. The only parts of her exposed was the visor. She couldn¡¯t remove it because her skin would scorch in the slightest sunlight. And she held no revolt. No breath. No throat.

    ¡°I wonder what her name was. Maybe¡­ Itakkias? No. I don¡¯t remember where I got her from.¡± Neither did she. The process of making a Snake Skin was lengthy but produced a perfect slave. Either sold to the Tripol from a third party, captured via the confiscating of documents, or killed. Then in a process dealt with by exclusive priests, would drain the person of any other persona beside listening to orders. No matter the command, the Snake Skin will complete it.

    And during the creation process, it made a Soul Gem. Soul Gems was something he was researching before the Clan died. Ani was confused that souls could not only be contained but used to make tiny wonders.

    Not like fire being cast from the hand, that''s impossible.

    Rocks floating, tremors in the ground, and sending a message through crystal. Oddities.

    Despite these unknowns, Snake Skins grew quite popular among the nobility. Quite similar to a vampiric thrall, but with easier use and with no violent outbursts. Ani was pleased with this one.

    ¡°Ah, my snakeskin. You do not need to be the most brutal of warriors. Only the most durable.¡± A rusted scratch spoke. The door to his lounge opened, and two assassins entered.

    ¡°Master Ani. We have replenished our forces. May we discuss our plans?¡±

    ¡°Ah. Understood. What clan are we working with?¡±

    ¡°Clan Galabag.¡± The assassin groaned out the name.

    ¡°Ah. Well, we weren¡¯t going to win this war by using the sharpest tools. Just the ones that won¡¯t break.¡± Flanked by his guards, he walked to the war room.

    Support the author by searching for the original publication of this novel.

    His body, contained in armor, was uneven. His foot is a few inches bigger, the arm shorter, maybe his mouth would be a dramatic frown or solemn. It shifted on mood and need.

    Ever since Ani¡¯s hair rotted off his scalp, he wore and constantly designed red copper chainmail to replace his once gorgeous hair. A well made mimic.

    ¡°I¡¯ve been working on some stories to tell the emperor. Mind if I tested some out with you?¡±

    ¡°Yes Master.¡± The two bent their necks forward and turned their ears to Ani. The Snake Skin didn¡¯t.

    ¡°What¡¯s the difference between a man, and dough?¡± Ani proposed.

    ¡°Clever. Is it that one is tasty?¡± The elder rogue spoke.

    ¡°No, but that is¡­ interesting.¡± Ani always carried a journal with him. To write down every new place or person. And he particularly enjoyed comedic stories.

    ¡°The difference is one screams in the oven.¡± The middle aged assassin heaved and cried in laughter. The older one had a chuckle.

    ¡°Now that is something to be proud of Master. Haha! Men can shatter one¡¯s breath easily. But fewer can do it with words.¡± The assassin stroked his beard, they were in a casual setting when with Ani.

    ¡°That is the difference between us and those Galabag idiots.¡±

    ¡°Treasonous thoughts, eh master?¡± The elder joked.

    ¡°Ah, yes. But don¡¯t mistake my hate for them as anything less than love for the empire. They act all serious. Holding their daggers tight when in the company of friends. Like that they have to prove something.¡± Squeezing his gauntlet hand into a hardened ingot, he hissed a deep rust.

    ¡°Understood. Your comfort is a blessing to us Assassins.¡± The elder brushed his trimmed mustache. He had seen bloody plots. The time he spent in the fortress was the closest chance for rest, the assassin thought.

    ¡°I try to be. Too many clans butcher themselves before they even form battlelines. I do hope the new facilities have improved your effectiveness.¡±

    ¡°Yes. I never knew the body could fit in such spaces.¡±

    ¡°And while the recruits are brash, their agility on foot and paper is growing swiftly.¡± Ani was pleased. With his new offensive in the planning phase, he would need his assassins to be in top strength. Afterall, killing multiple Oligarchs in quick succession wasn¡¯t an enviable job.

    ¡°Good. For every drop of sweat in training is a drop of blood saved in battle.¡±

    Crashing into the war room, the discussion stopped and gasps took place. Ani took to scanning the room for notable forces or patriarchs. There was Runtaii, the son of the head patriarch. A few uncles of white skin. Fat but listened well. Tall and defined men from the Hahran side of the family. Darker and with branches for hair. For every ounce of muscle there was a pound of outdated tactics. Only one woman in the room, Galataii. Fifty years of age and still fighting. Wearing the clothes of custom, not exposing any hair or lips. A neutral party.

    Ani was of older age, but not quite as lucky when it came to survival. He still lived, but struggled with the plague that ended his clan.

    ¡°So, brick of iron. Is there anything you want to add?¡± Runtaii was good at asking questions. Ani enjoyed that in person.

    ¡°Yes. You realize this is my plan, correct?¡± Runtaii nodded, and gestured to the Hahrans. Ani coughed a snicker past his steel helmet.

    ¡°Ah. So you let the primitives touch my plan.¡± He and his assassin laughed at his insult. Runtaii and Galataii closed their eyes, as the men confronted him.

    ¡°We might not have the finest metals, but we have the stomachs of fighters.¡±

    ¡°And your stomachs will be paraded along the battlefield if you don¡¯t let me educate you.¡± He lay his hand on the map. It was the northern region of the Oligarchy, rocky and hill filled. As he guessed, the Hahrans constructed a ¡®Oxen Horns¡¯ strategy.¡±

    ¡°No, that won¡¯t work. Your troops are best employed as skirmishers.¡±

    ¡°So your snake skins will beat the battalion instead?¡± The largest Harhan postured.

    ¡°Listen you fool. A distraction then an encirclement might work. If it was anyone else than the Oligarchs. They may be predictable, but their cohorts are fast. Not only would they pull out fast, but they would survive your strongest.¡±

    ¡°You seem to love the Oligarchs, sodomite.¡± The Hahran stood over the face of Ani. He spoke in a contained anger.

    ¡°Do you know what your spears would do to an Oligarchy shield?¡± Striking the side of his body where the Harhan¡¯s liver was, Ani made the man drop to his knees. Stripping the spear from him, he chucked it at a shield on the wall. A dent formed. Nothing else. He turned to the clan.

    ¡°We outnumber the Oligarchs four to one. Yet they still stand. You want to know why? Because unlike this primitive here, they are charismatic. They treat people and tools like art. Something to learn from. Your spears won¡¯t work unless you use them in a charming way.¡± The Hahran continued to gasp for air, laying his fingers at his side.

    ¡°Throwing yourselves at them will waste my time.¡± Ani commanded the room. Runtaii strutted to the armored man.

    ¡°So what do you suggest, brick of iron?¡± Runtaii asked. Finally, a man who wanted to listen.

    ¡°Your clans will act as support, peppering their flanks while my cataphracts force them to retreat. The assassins might be able to deal with a few centurions and officers. Snake Skins will terrify their cavalry, if not their riders. And Galataii can hold the center?¡± He prodded. It was best to allow a Tripolian woman to make her own decisions on life or death. She held a fist to her head, a sign of acceptance.

    ¡°Good. Now Runtaii, as we catch the Twenty Seventh legion off guard, your battalion will start to raid the Oligarchy. Make sure you reach Haliovid, make them starve. And only if you see it necessary, Yutai Basin. Don¡¯t stretch yourself too far.¡± Runtaii nodded, assured by Ani of his abilities. Though a conflict in his mind prompted him to ask something.

    ¡°How do you know the legion is going to be there?¡±

    ¡°I have my ways.¡± Ani pointed to his assassins who smiled, grateful for their service. Runtaii turned his head to his clan. Galataii shot a reassuring glance to him, ending further confusion.

    ¡°Understood. I¡¯ll start fielding my men. I¡¯ll let you clean up the plans.¡± Ani was pleased with the man. He had a genuine serenity. Ani always hated the make believe peace people made up, especially the Iozians.

    This false peace between the divine and mortal. The lie that said they were separate and that was good.

    Taking his leave, Runtaii went to the stables. He was becoming the man that would see the end of the Oligarchy. Perhaps he himself would deal the deathblow. Too many times he heard that the Tripolian Empire was the ¡®old man¡¯ of the western continents.

    ¡°I will show them. When I¡¯m the one who raids the Lai Bank!¡±

 Chapter 7: For Love (Part 1!)

    Chapter 7: For Love (Part 1!)

    The orphan, or the ghost is the destroyer of blood based family and unity.

    Allow me to tell you how horrible the insult and brand ¡°Ghost¡± was.

    A ghost is a person who should be dead, yet continues to haunt others.

    Not wanted, nor loved. No family to live with. No lover to hold. Ghost was a term usually ascribed to disadvantaged peoples. Particularly on scarred children of war. Their hearts and minds were supposedly dead. Despite this belief, they carried on. Many reasons for this hate of children that lost their parents varied from community to individual.

    In the year hundred and nine, ghosts couldn¡¯t marry unless they fought for their country for three decades. In two hundred and seventy nine, ghosts couldn¡¯t hold positions in government. Ranging from the mighty centurion down to a mayor. And in the year three hundred and thirty one, ghosts couldn¡¯t appear as witnesses against Iozians in court.

    But do you know what I think? That they scared them. I know, silly. A vulnerable kid causing fear in a healthy mind. But picture it. A being as precious and immune as a child being hurt. Losing everything. Becoming a sign of unending and unceasing war. Discomfort from these victims lead to insults. To assault. To legal measures. To emigrate. To segregation. Then to death. Some survived, if you can believe that. Every Iozian, from orphan to Oligarch held family paramount above all else. To not have it was to be condemned to drown.

    But there were whispers. From all around. From the street. From the hill, and the hill over. There was a conspiracy to set things right. To begin extinguishing the nation of its fear and hatred. From the doctor in the hospital, to the Oligarch of Suncatch. Things would change, for those that desperately needed it. All they had to do was gain a decisive victory in order to legitimize and fraternize the ghosts. For now, making money off liquor licenses was all he could do.

    If I¡¯m allowed to title that curious scarecrow, I would give Vega the title of ghost.

    The scarecrow, underneath the great confines of the Gladiato Ultra, was preparing with the many entertainers and fighters. Hundreds of performers, thousands of workers, kept in the belly of the arena. Core Civitus was having a concert. Every moment, Vega found herself bouncing off a man moving props or another practicing.

    ¡°Geez Kaliba, this place is enormous.¡±

    ¡°True.¡± The crow croaked out. They were right, as the many arcades and chambers that made up the lower section of the arena had to be big enough for the performances. Right then and there, Vega saw a crew herding twelve lions into a cage.

    It was almost oppressive, much like a dungeon. Long branch-like torches burned hot, keeping all the rooms a smoky gray. And the smell was a mixture of sweat and animal feed. You could hardly hear your own voice in the crowds that pushed through each other.

    Vega, after half an hour of climbing and squeezing past people, finally found the room labeled ¡®Damocles¡¯. Swiftly entering and closing the door behind her, she found the room was very open. Sure, the air could choke a man, but couldn¡¯t choke a scarecrow.

    Three men read their lines, clearly educated and aristocratic. One man, a wall of muscle, sheepishly put on his costume, embarrassed to be changing in front of other people. Kaliba flew to a closet labeled, ¡®Tornado¡¯.

    ¡°There¡¯s my closet! Good find.¡± Vega flipped it open, seeing the simple outfit she needed to wear. Despite the size of the event, they didn¡¯t spare much expense for the ones performing the acts.

    All of the men in the room were surprised to hear a girl¡¯s voice, and shot glances at Vega. Not caring for any common decency, Vega took off all of her clothes. The buff actor was the last to see Vega changing, very much confused at why a scarecrow was here.

    Vega, now finished changing, turned to see all the men giving her weird looks.

    ¡°What? We¡¯re all friends, right?¡± As she spoke, the door to the room crashed open.

    A cloaked man, tall as a tree, entered the room. On his person was belts, pockets, and bags carrying candy colored syringes and serums. He wore a leper mask that was suctioned to his hood. His ears were daggers, also concealed by metal. Everyone, even Vega could tell that he was wearing it not to protect himself, but to protect others.

    ¡°Time for disease shots.¡± A flooded and gravelly voice came out of the cloak man. All the actors groaned like bratty children.

    ¡°I hate shots.¡± The buff actor said.

    ¡°What¡¯s a shot?¡± Vega asked, not disturbed by the cloaked man.

    ¡°To protect you from diseases.¡± The cloaked man pulled out twelve from his left hand and pointed to each with his right. ¡°This one¡¯s for the flu. This¡¯s one for consumption.¡±

    ¡°And there¡¯s the one for malaria.¡± An actor listed.

    ¡°One for Great Pox. You gotta have the vaccine for Great Pox.¡± Another spoke with the other actors nodding in agreement.

    ¡°As well as one for dealing with elves, such as myself.¡± The cloaked man bowed before the room. ¡°And finally, the one when dealing with ghosts.¡±

    ¡°Huh.¡± Vega¡¯s smile went away. ¡°Well, are there going to be ghosts at the Concert of Combat?¡±

    Skaldi, while walking to Core Civitus, rubbed his long elf ears. They had finished healing from the fall. Though he wasn¡¯t in a happy state. The Galtians were one of the indigenous elves native to the Iozian lands. Elves were separated in a series of sub groups and categories but two main ones presided. Blight elves and Fliction elves. Blight elves easily transmitted and carried great disease within themselves. Skilled in the operations of the body, but could devastate towns if no precautions were taken.

    Skaldi was a Fliction elf. More agile and imbued with incredible eyesight. If given a dart, he could hit a firefly from a hundred yards away and pin to a wall without killing it. But a race specialized in ranged warfare came with a weakened frame. And a greater sensitivity to pain.

    ¡°Hey Skaldi.¡±

    ¡°Yes Bolato?¡± Skaldi didn¡¯t look at him.

    ¡°Are you mad?¡±

    ¡°No.¡± Skaldi turned his head further away, trying to avoid the fat soldier¡¯s gaze. Bolato leaned forward as they walked.

    ¡°Are you lying?¡± Pouting, Skaldi reluctantly nodded. ¡°See? It¡¯s almost as if communicating what you feel is good.¡± Bolato smirked.

    ¡°Shut up. You could have helped me with that construct.¡±

    ¡°Ok. Did you even have a plan?¡± Bolato waited for a response. Skaldi blankly stared back at him. ¡°See? Take a breath sweetie.¡± Skaldi sighed deeply, ready for a new subject.

    ¡°Hey sweet pea. Is that comic treating you well?¡± Valiato began ¡®studying¡¯ Bolato¡¯s stash of thin paper magazines. A treat for the eyes but nothing beyond that.

    ¡°It''s not too bad. I wished it had more pictures.¡± She finished, gently putting it in her pack. Amir held no disagreement. Comics was an art piece produced out of the mixing of artists when the Oligarchy first founded, he knew. Amir had a few magazines himself, but they resembled more text books rather than a piece of entertainment.

    He steeled himself, ready against the pipelines these sodomites could employ. It starts with gambling, then a carnivore diet, and then finally, homosexuality. But then again, if they were to try something, they would have done it already. Speaking of which.

    ¡°~How far are we to the cathedral?~¡±

    ¡°~Two, five minutes ahead Ari~.¡± He nodded, and began to record the environment. Remembering what places he traveled and what he encountered was mandatory. As well as producing the makeup.

    ¡°Hey Bolato. Have you ever been to a temple before?¡±

    ¡°It''s compulsive when you finish training. What, you want to check around it?¡± Hopping, Bolato found his answer.

    ¡°Yep. Galtians have pretty basic housing. But then again it''s kind of like comparing a pebble to a mountain. Plus, I learned plenty of stuff about how to turn a soldier¡¯s supplies into some good snacks.¡±

    ¡°This is a church Skaldi, not a refrigerator.¡±

    ¡°I know, but I want to see if we can find anything we can cook. It''s been a rough couple days.¡±

    Reading on this site? This novel is published elsewhere. Support the author by seeking out the original.

    ¡°Yep. I¡¯m starving.¡± Bolato slapped his gut.

    ¡°I can tell.¡±

    ¡°Oh, you¡¯re just a bitch.¡± They smiled, now nearing the entrance to the cathedral. Amir stopped just outside along Valiato. Bolato kneeled beside them.

    ¡°Come on you two. Don¡¯t feel like you''re intruding. You are, but¡­ you''re an invited intruder.¡± Valiato looked up to Amir, pleading.

    ¡°~Sure kid. But don¡¯t touch anything.~¡± He looked around its shell, carefully making sure there was nothing off. ¡°~Could still be spirits around here.~¡±

    ¡°Cool. He says we can go in.¡± Valiato was not experienced with religion, and was ready to find out what the fuss was about. The group quietly entered, like they were members of this church.

    ¡°This is the Spirit Dianato Cathedral. It burned down a while ago.¡± Skaldi¡¯s ears wiggled.

    ¡°I thought Iozians called those things saints.¡±

    ¡°Kind of. Spirits are for cathedrals, saints are for temples. One you offer tribute to, the other you pray to. What did your people pray to?¡±

    ¡°One, we literally lived with our spirits. Two, you could just talk to them when you needed to.¡± Skaldi corrected.

    ¡°Are spirits annoying Ska?¡± Valiato chimed.

    ¡°Depends. Some are definitely more pleasant than others. Like the one for love. They have an innate desire to make relationships better. Think marriage counselor, except God told you to do it.¡± Valiato rubbed her cheek, considering what to ask next.

    ¡°~Ask if they have stupid ones kid.~¡± chuckling out a suggestion, Amir began to recline on the floor.

    ¡°Are any of them¡­ weirdos?¡±

    ¡°Define weird, sweetpea.¡±

    ¡°Uh¡­ relationships that are¡­ weird?¡± Skaldi thought then had a story.

    ¡°Well, there was the failed summoning of a fertility spirit. Turns out replacing blood with tomato- '''' Bolato placed hand on Skaldi¡¯s mouth.

    ¡°Somebody¡¯s still here.¡± A distant stomping within the building was heard. Followed by a long yelp.

    ¡°Son of a scum son!¡± Everyone''s face turned to contempt. Here it comes.

    ¡°Amber! Did you grab everything? I want to catch up to Vega as fast as we can.¡± Lai¡¯s voice prompted Skaldi to anger.

    ¡°You¡¯re kidding. Someone please tell me she''s not here.¡± The redhead begged.

    ¡°We¡¯re way past that little buddy.¡± Exiting down the stairs, the duo didn¡¯t notice the intruders.

    ¡°If we get to her first, imagine what we can do!¡±

    ¡°Yes Lady. We¡¯ll have two idiots on our side.¡±

    ¡°Stop being mean to the falcon Amber. Plus, I think she¡¯s got potential. There''s just a spark in her, you know?¡±

    ¡°A spark for a torch or for a city fire?¡±

    ¡°Both.¡± Lai proudly proclaimed as she descended the stairs.. Bolato lowered to Skaldi, in a ghostly quiet tone.

    ¡°Look, this is a bad idea. So it would be best if you didn¡¯t-¡± Skaldi ran up and jumped into a drop kick. Getting in front of Chakrit, Lai absorbed the strike.

    ¡°It''s you!¡± Both knew the routine. Bent forward. Lay your hands on your hips. And sneer superciliously.

    ¡°My rival!¡± Amir took to blocking Valiato¡¯s vision.

    ¡°~Ari. This isn¡¯t for adults, I want see them fight.~¡±

    ¡°~No Valiato. No one, especially children, should see them fight. Trust me, I¡¯m saving you so many headaches.~¡± Lai and Skaldi took to slapping each other. Very much aware of the fact they had weapons.

    ¡°Hey Amber.¡±

    ¡°Hey Bolato¡­¡± Both needed a pause to recover from this ongoing battle. ¡°Look, I¡¯m sure we both want out of this. Me and Sun-¡±

    ¡°It''s Lady Lai and you know it!¡± Infuriated, Lai corrected.

    ¡°Right¡­ me and Lady Lai are just trying to catch up to a lead. If you want to check out the cathedral, there¡¯s a storage room just next to the marriage area.¡±

    ¡°What''s the lead?¡±

    ¡°Not telling.¡±

    ¡°What if I gave you a pot of wine?¡±

    ¡°Don¡¯t give him the wine!¡± Skadli attempted to command. The slaps had turned into pokes.

    ¡°You¡¯re not involved in this sweetie.¡± Bolato ignored him.

    ¡°I¡¯m feeling pretty involved!¡±

    ¡°You know what. Make it two and I¡¯ll tell you.¡± Bolato looked at Amir. Amir knew a deal was taking place and nodded, hopeful it would end this spat.

    ¡°Okay. Remember the drill?¡±

    ¡°Got it Bolato.¡±

    One¡­

    Two¡­

    ¡°Three!¡± Bolato pulled away the giant woman and Chakrit took to shoving the redhead. Now unable to assault each other physically, they started verbally.

    ¡°Your makeup is ugly!¡± Skaldi spat out.

    ¡°Your face is ugly!¡± Bolato and Chakrit knew that they would tire out. The problem was when.

    ¡°What kind of girl fights?¡±

    ¡°I do?¡± Valiato responded, peering through the fingers of Amir.

    ¡°What kind of an elf likes money? I thought you all used tree bark as your currency!¡± Skaldi was viciously injured. He had to strike back, where it hurts.

    ¡°What are you? A bitch?¡±

    ¡°Bitch I might be!¡±

    ¡°So are you guys done trying to hurt each other or are we going to move on with our lives?¡± The rivals continued to struggle to escape the embarrassed guard''s grasp.

    ¡°Didn¡¯t think so.¡± Bolato exhausted. Lai had to use Skaldi¡¯s weapon against him.

    ¡°What are you? Gay?¡±

    ¡°Bitch I might be!¡± Skaldi screamed proudly. Okay, this is over. The pair tripped the feuding rivals, knocking them on the ground. Chakrit took the two pots, and sampled.

    ¡°Here you go. Now¡­ what''s your lead?¡±

    ¡°Scarecrow.¡± Chakrit spoke plainly. Bolato didn¡¯t register the statement.

    ¡°Sorry, say that again?¡± Skaldi quickly rose to Bolato, infuriated.

    ¡°Why did you kick me Bol-¡±

    ¡°You, shut face. Anyway, you are trying to follow a scarecrow?¡± Amber rubbed his head, a faint blush came over his face.

    ¡°Yes. And it managed to put Lady and I on the back foot. But then again, I need practice.¡± Lai went to lean onto Chakrit, but he shoved her before she could finish.

    ¡°Was it like¡­ a spirit?¡±

    ¡°Do spirits need to go to the hospital?¡± Chakrit folded his arms. Bolato gave it some thought, rubbing his chin.

    ¡°No. No. That''s the idea.¡± Shaking his head as the words came out, Bolato started to reflect.

    ¡°Well, it said it was going to the city and we are gonna beat you there.¡± The giant sassily spoke.

    ¡°Like hell you are!¡± Skaldi sprinted, but Bolato lifted him off the ground. Skaldi struggled but Bolato put him into a bridal carry.

    ¡°Sweetie, be patient. It''s not like they¡¯re gonna get one over on us if they even find that thing. And we¡¯re four plus the kid.¡±

    ¡°Can it at least be counted as a half?¡±

    ¡°Sure Valiato. Four and a half. Compared to maybe three. Probably two and a half.¡±

    ¡°Whatever. I¡¯ve seen what she¡¯s done and I know she¡¯s got something.¡± Lai affirmed.

    ¡°Got something wrong more like.¡±

    ¡°Shut up Amber. We¡¯re going.¡± As the bandit pair exitted, Amir relinquished Valiato. She went up to the couple and jumped up and down.

    ¡°Can we go look around the cathedral now?¡±

    ¡°Soon. It''s just¡­ Ska and I need to talk for a bit. Don¡¯t worry, we¡¯ll just be making sure the place is safe so you can explore it.¡± Bolato said as he rubbed the nose of the little slinger.

    ¡°Ok!¡± She skipped to Amir and unpacked some learning materials to pass the time. Bolato, placed his hands on his hips and started to tap his foot on the ground.

    ¡°Yeah, yeah. Got it.¡± The couple climbed the stairs and went into a hallway. Amir constructed a makeshift table out of the broken brick and stone. He started at the redhead, in disgust.

    ¡°~Kid, promise me something.~¡±

    ¡°~What is it Ari?~¡± Concerned, Valiato swayed her head.

    ¡°~Please. To whatever is out there. Don¡¯t let your emotions dominate you. It is good to experience passion and anger. But, do not be enslaved by it. Do you remember the saying I taught you a week ago?¡±

    ¡°~Yes Ari. There are three states of enslavement. To icons. To governance. And the worst, to yourself.~¡± Amir coughed in relief, and pulled out a pestle and mortar. He inserted red beetles and twilight bark, and slowly grinded the components together.

    ¡°~Good. Now are you ready for the quiz today?~¡± She nodded in enthusiasm.

    ¡°Alright, what do you call people who think that they can do just anything in their lives?¡±

    ¡°~Tripolians.~¡±

    ¡°~Good. Now, what do you call people who don¡¯t like anything ten miles outside their house?¡±

    ¡°~Iozians.~¡± Scrubbing her head, Amir approved.

    ¡°~Very good. Now, if you answer this one well kid, we can jump into the next topic. Are you ready?~¡± Valiato shook her head, accepting this challenge.

    ¡°~What do you call someone who judges others, but makes no good choices themselves?~¡± Amir beckoned.

    ¡°~You.~¡±

    Amir couldn¡¯t move. Valiato¡¯s insult wasn¡¯t meant to be hurtful, he knew. But it was the closest thing that hurt him in years. He spooned the makeup out of the pestle. And he applied it on her, in bitter silence. Valiato¡¯s eyes pleaded. If she had gotten the answer correct.

    ¡°~No Valiato. The answer was Galataii.~¡±

 Chapter 7: For Love (Part 2!)

    Chapter 7: For Love (Part 2!)

    Amir once loved Galataii, a Tripolian General. He had hoped that Bolato and Skaldi would be spared from such heartbreak.

    The couple was surrounded by shadows and arcaded rooms of the cathedral. Skaldi and Bolato weren¡¯t speaking, but a conversation was going on. A series of tough glances and wincing looks pried open Skaldi to speak first.

    ¡°What is it?¡±

    ¡°Sweetie, what were you thinking?¡± Bolato kept his eyes off the elf, but still maintained confidence.

    ¡°Look. I just wanted to beat her.¡± Skaldi sheepishly defended.

    ¡°Beat her in what? In being the biggest fool?¡±

    ¡°Yeah. Yeah. I just want to be better than her is all.¡±

    ¡°Skaldi. I know you have something to prove and that''s fine. Spite, or hatred is cool and all. But you can¡¯t lose your temper in front of the kid.¡± Skaldi sighed, and held his hands together. The elf¡¯s fists clammed into his chest.

    ¡°Sorry.¡± Bolato saw him in an ashamed state. Half of him wanted to hug him on the spot, the other wanted to flick him on the forehead. The former won.

    ¡°Look sweetie. I don¡¯t normally want to make you feel bad. Hell, I think Amir being mad at you was dickish. But still. Not in front of the kid. She needs some good role models.¡± He spoke sweetly, brushing the hair of the redhead. Skaldi couldn¡¯t look, but he held the large man.

    ¡°You¡¯re right. Can we go back to looking around again?¡± Bolato¡¯s face disagreed.

    ¡°Bolato, I know you¡¯re right. I just don¡¯t want this whole day ruined.¡± The large man relaxed, and held the redhead¡¯s hand close.

    ¡°Though you¡¯re gonna pay me back the wine, right?¡±

    ¡°Yeah sure.¡± The tense mood dispelled, they took in the various idols and ritual tools within. These cathedrals took generations to construct, but all varied across the Oligarchy. Some were skyscraping in height, others wide and low to the ground. This one was a happy medium.

    Its outside was coated in a thick red, the Iozian color for passion, sport, and healing. A very sacred color. That is why they put it on any building from restaurants to pilgrimage sites. Nothing says special when it''s on everything.

    This particular cathedral mixed cobalt dust within its brick, forming blue arteries traveling across its body.

    ¡°Dianato. You know they were going to call this the living cathedral once.¡±

    ¡°Really?¡± Skaldi''s eyes widened.

    ¡°That''s the idea. The Dianato spirit was originally going to fuse into the walls, to save the precious time of its worshipers.¡± He smiled, clearly enjoying presenting this bit of history.

    ¡°Well it doesn¡¯t seem alive. What happened?¡± The couple stumbled onto a broken bridge. Bolato raised his cheeks in disapproval.

    ¡°A combination of events. It burning down, the Optimus Saceratos at the time spending more time with girls than doing his job. The Slave revolt.¡±

    ¡°Plenty of bad stuff. Here I thought you Iozians were good at pleasing your god.¡± Skaldi snidely remarked.

    ¡°Trust me. No one loves Recor more than the Oligarchy. It''s just certain events out of our control. Some might say an act of god.¡± Bolato snicked.

    ¡°Sure. But have you ever seen a spirit?¡± Skaldi tilted, goading Bolato into jealousy.

    ¡°Let me think. You got some neat miracles performed by your spirit roommates.¡± Bolato prodded, understanding the redhead¡¯s desire to tell his stories.

    ¡°That''s the idea. Want to hear?¡± Skaldi offered to which Bolato lowered his head to hear him.

    ¡°My family entertained Yuatdi, a recently summoned war spirit. He was a really big guy. Resembled a bull and a man.¡±

    ¡°Can I guess?¡± Skaldi¡¯s brows raised.

    ¡°What do you mean?¡±

    ¡°Which side was which? I bet it was a lower side bull, upper side man. Was it big? Is it bigger than me?¡± Skaldi stuck his tongue out, wincing at the thought.

    ¡°Gross. They don¡¯t even have stuff down there. Well¡­ I wouldn¡¯t know because I wouldn¡¯t have checked.¡±

    ¡°Sure sweetie.¡± Bolato smiled teasingly.

    ¡°Whatever. But back to it, we had to get him a few objects to keep him in our realm. A few mushrooms, some silver, you know. Basic trinkets. But then he asked me something. If I could get him a date.¡±

    ¡°No way!¡±

    ¡°Yep. Turns out back in his realm, he was gonna go talk to this fertility spirit named Torati. But they both were summoned at the same time.¡±

    ¡°Can¡¯t your spirits interact with each other?¡±

    ¡°No, not like yours. They can when in their home. But when they¡¯re in our plane they can only interact with us.¡± Bolato snapped his fingers, taking the info in.

    ¡°So I had to copy down this script and give it to Torati. Eventually both of them left and I wondered what happened. A week later, Yuatdi gave me a pretty neat gift, saying that they¡¯re getting married.¡± Skaldi smirked, and Bolato looked onward in envy.

    ¡°Sometimes I wonder why spirits bother with us mortals. But when I hear a story like that then it all makes sense.¡±

    ¡°Yep. Without them, there wouldn¡¯t be anyone to aid us in chaos. Without us, they would have all of our tasty food. Or be a matchmaker.¡± Skaldi leaned onto Bolato, as white rays from the sun shone through a shattered wall.

    ¡°Kind of makes you feel insignificant, don¡¯t it sweetie?¡±

    ¡°I always feel that way with you Bolato.¡± The pair nearing the marriage room, Skaldi looked at the writing painted on the ceiling.

    ¡°What¡¯s that say?¡±

    ¡°Oh, that says¡­ mar¡­marriage.¡± Skaldi¡¯s ears took to blushing, as well as all parts of him.

    ¡°Skaldi.¡± The large man turned towards the elf.

    ¡°Yeah?¡±

    ¡°Want to get married?¡± Adjusting himself, and standing straight, the redhead nodded. Bolato began to hum a marriage tune.

    ¡°Can you not? Seriously.¡±

    ¡°Ok. Why don¡¯t you sing something from your people? You must have watched a marriage ceremony at least once.¡±

    ¡°We don¡¯t have marriage ceremonies. We have love fairs.¡± Skaldi shot back.

    ¡°Difference being?¡±

    ¡°One is between two people. Another is between two families.¡±

    ¡°So just a marriage then.¡± Bolato spoke, not understanding the difference.

    ¡°No. Can we just enjoy the silence? Love isn¡¯t meant to be an explosive song. The only instruments should be the beating of the heart, the touching of hands, and the kissing of lips.¡±

    Skaldi knew this in his soul. He hoped he would enjoy a genuine romance at this moment. Bolato was willing to provide.

    ¡°Ok Skaldi. I¡¯ll do that. But on one condition. You have to say something sweet to me.¡± Skaldi continued to blush into a rogue rug.

    ¡°Is it those wedding vows Iozians have?¡±

    ¡°That''s the idea.¡± Skaldi took a breath, and exhaled in preparation.

    ¡°Alright. But no songs!¡±

    ¡°Understood.¡± Bolato smirked, enjoying the elf¡¯s flustered mood. They both walked in between the broken pews. Skaldi¡¯s hand became moist, and he felt a tad disappointed in himself. Bolato noticed and raised his hand to kiss it. Skaldi cooled and stabilized. In the center pool, Skaldi stiffed his stance.

    Ensure your favorite authors get the support they deserve. Read this novel on the original website.

    ¡°Skaldi. Will you be my husband?¡± Skaldi¡¯s ears shivered in enthusiasm.

    ¡°Yes. And Bolato¡­ will you be my super strong, really cool, annoying but level headed¡­ husband?¡±

    ¡°Well when you put it like that, I do.¡± Bolato¡¯s foot nudged the lever on the ground. Skaldi saw it and realized.

    ¡°Yes, you can push the lever.¡± Kicking it backwards, the lever activated. A hissing in the pipes emitted, and a sprinkle of holy water came out.

    ¡°I pronounce us, husband.¡± Skaldi closed his eyes, and summoned a beauty in voice.

    ¡°~ To you I hold. To you I struggle. To you, I love.~¡± Bolato needed no understanding, beyond the language of emotion. Skaldi went on his toes, and Bolato rested his hand against the elf¡¯s ear. A union and family made. They kissed softly. A tender, comfy scene. Only for an instant, not a moment longer.

    Skaldi woke up in his tent, beside his crew. It was a rough week but their work would soon begin. The terrain had finally smoothed out, along with the road. Skaldi rose, spider dexterous in his moments. Peering his head through the tent¡¯s entrance, he looked. Daybreak rushed through the trees. The forest had some rotten trees, an earthy spicy odor spread. It woke him up harder than coffee.

    ¡°Good. Not many partols at this time.¡± Skaldi quickly packed up his companions'' gear. Valiato woke up, along with Amir who murmured something that sounded profane. Bolato didn¡¯t.

    ¡°Sweetpea, pass me the bowl, the dirty one.¡± Valiato tossed it, and Skaldi pulled out a dart. He spun in the bowl, and Bolato¡¯s snoring ceased.

    ¡°Did-did you make breakfast?¡±

    ¡°Breakfast is about an hour away. Come on.¡±

    ¡°Eh. Close enough.¡± Each member took turns packing and picking. As the light turned from a foggy gray to a white, they started to march. The air around them carried no noise. Most of the trees were naked, now an ashy bark. Droplets of color loomed, found in the dead trunks low or the owls perched high. Valiato gathered the place in her mind. She hadn¡¯t been this far west, and now she was going to see Core Civitus. Aside from Skaldi, she was the only one awake.

    ¡°~A little discipline, a little self sacrifice, a little remembering each day just what we get up for.~¡± Amir, had his energy raised by his child¡¯s recitation. He joined her.

    ¡°~Yes. Remember, the devil does not sleep at noon.~¡± He turned to Skaldi, who kept a steady pace. ¡°~The boy already knows this. Keep that in your mind and you will be bounding out of bed.~¡± Skaldi couldn¡¯t see his face, but knew there was a smile behind his turban. The redhead continued determinedly.

    ¡°When we sell this wine, we can get some breakfast. Or maybe we can cook something.¡± The elf was used to fasting, the others weren¡¯t.

    ¡°What are you thinking? I¡¯m thinking of bread and crab cake, with cod sauce.¡± Bolato had an alliance with all water borne animals. Of course, his navy badge of a tour agreed.

    ¡°Suppose it¡¯ll depend on whether it''s a feast day or not.¡± Skaldi considered.

    ¡°Oh yeah. We can eat veggies any day but meat gets expensive if it ain¡¯t on one.¡± Bolato reflected.

    ¡°Can¡¯t we just steal it?¡± Valiato piped up. Her stomach pleaded for an affirmation. Skaldi struggled to reject it.

    ¡°No sweetpea. Everyone is going through it these days. Can¡¯t just be taking it from everyone.¡± Valiato placed a hand on her belly. Her eyes shone sadly.

    ¡°No worries, Valiato. I hear the Refrigerator up north is gonna open up and send out some of its grain supplies.¡±

    ¡°Where is it, Bola?¡±

    ¡°About two hundred miles north, in a city called Haliovid. Don¡¯t worry. Our ships can clear that in two weeks.¡± Valiato relaxed, assured that the famine won¡¯t be as powerful in her own life. For now. Amir¡¯s coughs suddenly ceased.

    ¡°~See the star kid?~¡±

    ¡°~What sta-~¡± Valiato trailed off, having come face to face with a miracle. A dazzling sun rained across the plains. Both her and Skaldi were at a loss for words. Core Civitus had a spire entering into the sky, the highest point in all of the Oligarchy. Over a mile in height, it was a marvel and a treaty. Amir¡¯s breathy coughs returned.

    ¡°See that. The Blind Magna.¡± Bolato remarked on it, as if reminiscing an old friend. ¡°The Oligarch of this place made a deal with Nemesis once. The former one, a couple decades back. She built him a monument, dedicated to Recor, ironically. In exchange, he would give her all the soul gems in his possession.¡±

    ¡°Soul gems don¡¯t mean much to us, but to spirits is everything.¡± Valiato knew that Skaldi was stunned by the display.

    ¡°Hell, have one of them and you can essentially get a wish. Give one to a war spirit, a recruit turns into as strong as a squad of veterans. A beauty one, and you¡¯ll be able to modify your appearance however you choose. Small wonders, but ever powerful. Shame they¡¯re so rare.¡± Valiato heard the redhead¡¯s explanation, and took great time to understand it.

    ¡°How many are out there?¡± She queried, hoping the odds of coming across one would be in the one out ten range.

    ¡°Souls aren¡¯t exactly common sweetpea. A soul needs to be powerful enough first, let alone contain an object valuable enough.¡±

    ¡°But aren¡¯t they gems?¡±

    ¡°It''s more of a convention. A bone of a prophet to a major religion could contain a soul. So can a unrotting blade of grass. Gems are more likely yes, but not the only way. If it contains a soul, it''s a soul gem. And there''s no process to make them. It just happens.¡± Skaldi knelt down to Valiato, and pressed her face to his.

    ¡°It can happen to anyone. A farmer, miner, or merchant. Great power from dying, there is.¡± They picked up their pace, as Valiato looked at the many headstones and memorials of people long passed. She stared upward to the star. How many souls to dedicate to a god? That was what she thought.

    The gate was modest compared to what they had all seen. The guard¡¯s eyes dropped, and some tilted their helmets to cover their sleeping eyes.

    ¡°~Almost a good thing we didn¡¯t get that cart. Would have needed an alibi.~¡± Amir coughed out.

    ¡°What was the plan for getting the cart inside Ska?¡± Valiato translated.

    ¡°Just use the documents the trader had. Soldiers don¡¯t have to read.¡± He pompously claimed.

    ¡°Nah, that''s changing too. Back in that grain factory, I talked to the centurion there. Turns out Oligarch Alexios is making literacy compulsory in order to get higher ranks. We¡¯re gonna see a lot more soldiers reading comics that''s for sure.¡± Bolato held his magazine, Skaldi hummed in disappointment.

    ¡°We ought to get you some more reading material, aside from what Amir¡¯s been feeding you.¡± Valiato groaned.

    ¡°Why do I have to be the translator for you guys? I just want to hit some birds now and again.¡±

    ¡°No worries sweetpea. We¡¯re gonna do something fun today.¡± He saw the morning decorators placing banners and flyers across the buildings.

    ¡°That''s the idea. The Concert of Combat is going on in the arena today.¡± Bolato¡¯s voice rose. His smile rose, excited to participate.¡±

    ¡°Still, sell the wine, get some grub, and then we get a slot in the show.¡± Skaldi listed, intending on making sure the schedule was clear to them.

    ¡°Can I use my rocks on them?¡± Valiato giggled in a sadistic glee.

    ¡°No. We¡¯re here to get some money, not hurt people.¡± Skaldi commanded Valiato, who shoved her sling back into her pack.

    ¡°Aw.¡±

    ¡°Don¡¯t worry sweetpea. You¡¯ll get to ¡®hurt¡¯ people and get paid for it.¡± Skaldi rested his hand on her shoulder.

    ¡°Why don¡¯t we sell the wine to the arena organizers? They¡¯d kill for what we got.¡± Bolato scrubbed his belly in discomfort.

    ¡°Now we¡¯re thinking. Let¡¯s get there.¡± A cohort of entertainers surrounded the arena. Some of them were chubby, not even discomforted by the food shortage. Valiato tied the ends of her gloves hard, intimidated by the gladiators. Bolato was not.

    ¡°Hey sir! We have some wine that might sell well.¡± The organizer was a short hairless man, and tasted the wine with a ladle. He groaned in pleasure.

    ¡°That''s some good stuff, soldier. How are the seas?¡±

    ¡°Not pleasant. But I managed to shatter the enemy¡¯s mast, and I secured a month''s vacation.¡± Bolato spoke the truth, from seven years ago.

    ¡°Ah. I fought some years ago when I was a lad. Have you heard of the Battle of Cryhii Bridge?¡±

    ¡°Everyone in the navy knows that. Were you there?¡±

    ¡°Yes son, under Oligarch Damocles. He was a wonderful fighter. Shame about his ambition. It''s good wine you got. I¡¯ll take it for ten brass. I¡¯ll give you some elite seats, even for your Tripol there.¡±

    ¡°How about ten brass and you let us into the show. We got some good acts. Need a bad guy? We got an old patriarch and his prisoner?¡± Bolato postured to the father and daughter pair. Amir knew he was marketing him as a villain. It was insensitive but necessary if they were to get the money they needed. The organizer rubbed his chin and took to clicking his tongue.

    ¡°Can¡¯t have you as the main act¡­ how about you guys join the melee? Come up with a team name and we¡¯ll put you in. Get top eight and you¡¯ll get two thousand gold extra.¡± Skaldi clapped his hands together excitedly. Bolato took another look at Valiato.

    ¡°You sure we can¡¯t join the main act? Red here can do some excellent darts.¡± Bolato said.

    ¡°Sorry son. I would, but nothing you could offer would beat the main act. We¡¯re doing a retelling of Cryhii actually. Though we can¡¯t use the tornado prop from last year, we got something else.¡±

    ¡°What do you mean?¡± Skaldi stepped beside Bolato, concerned that they managed to find a replacement for a tornado.

    ¡°You¡¯ll see. Now are you in or not?¡± Bolato shrugged at the team and shook hands with the organizer. A handful of coins dropped into his paw hands.

    ¡°Who¡¯s up for some Kai chicken?¡± Everyone except Amir cheered. He raised a single eyebrow, knowing that Bolato had forgotten about him.

    ¡°And some¡­ noodles?¡±

    ¡°~What did he say kid?~¡± Amir queried.

    ¡°~Noodles.~¡±

    ¡°~... that is good too.~¡±

    The party went to a nearby restaurant and ate a filling breakfast. A main dish of half a chicken with cod sauce on the side landed on their table. Skaldi and Bolato shared a dessert of apple slices, while Valiato and Amir ate from a bowl of garlic noodles. Steam rose around them and gave this winter atmosphere a much needed heat. They finished quickly, and paid quickly.

    It had been a while since Skaldi and Amir took part in a concert of this notoriety. It would take some mediation in order to strengthen themselves against insult and conflict. The team could begin to hear the crowds outside starting to enter. The day passed slowly, and each member held their bated breath.

    ¡°~Ready Valiato?~¡± She nodded and held close to Amir.

    ¡°Don¡¯t worry about the audience. You¡¯re just here to entertain them.¡± Skaldi repeated this to himself, to instill clarity of goal in his mind.

    ¡°Hey sweetie?¡±

    ¡°Yes Bolato?¡±

    ¡°Is that them?¡± Both of their eyes came to the same sight. Lai and Chakrit entering into the arena. They were the main act. Skaldi struggled to maintain composure.

    ¡°You know what? It''s fine. It doesn¡¯t bother me. I won¡¯t let it-¡± Then the following figure threw him off balance. Three people made the act, but this one was not normal. It was familiar but disquieting. It was a disturbance, ready to entertain.

    ¡°Is that a scarecrow?¡±

 Chapter 8: The Concert of Combat

    Chapter 8: The Concert of Combat

    Of course, violence is not great entertainment to those that suffer it. These Iozians had the odd tradition of naming fights as ¡®Sports¡¯. It wasn¡¯t bloodshed, it was ¡®Entertainment¡¯.

    The Oligarch of Suncatch realized this, by applying bread and circus, he could distract them from his decisions relating to orphans and foreigners. Funny. The portrayal of the same events that created ghosts was allowing him to aid them.

    His Gladiato Ultra would be filled to the brim with spectators. Separated by class, people would usher in to see the once in a year event. Being two hundred feet tall, and seven hundred feet wide, it was an engineering masterpiece. Tunnels underneath were operated by a cohort of workers and organizers. Pulleys and platforms allowed the transversal of gladiators and set pieces. An entire irrigation system was built for it. And soon it would be put to use.

    Vega peered behind the curtain, seeing hundreds of people seated and conversing. It was overwhelming to her that so many people could exist at once.

    ¡°At least ya are calm-calm Kaliba.¡± The passenger bird showed a great degree of bravery. Unlike the other animals that took part in the event, it was unmoved and unabated by the crowd. It comforted her nervous soul.

    ¡°Here¡¯s hoping this can pay Luiocles back-back. What was the prize again?¡±

    ¡°Five thousand gold-gold!?¡± It reminded her.

    ¡°Oh right.¡± She knew of the system of coin the Oligarchy operated on. Although it varied throughout the region, unskilled laborers earned one to four brass everyday. One could get them two loaves of bread, a few small fish, a sack of rice, a bag of beans, two gallons of cheap wine, or half of a gallon of quality wine. Four brass made one silver and twenty silver made one gold.

    She looked at the coins in the prize chest. The images minted onto a coin differed as well. Brass had small soldiers, silver had plebeian Oligarchs or generals, and gold sported a fine and large showing of an Oligarch or spirit. On one she saw a diamond showing a member of the Marian family. Vega pictured the amount of faces, how many could so many even exist?

    ¡°This is amazing. But I need to focus. Luiocles asked for ten gold. But then again, I still need-need to pay the doctor for tailoring me a new shirt. Turns out hospital clothing is not covered by insurance. How much do ya-ya think that costs?¡±

    ¡°Gold-gold!?¡±

    ¡°Yep. It¡¯d probably cost a thousand, at least.¡± The last gladiator fight had finished, as both exited bloodied but hyping up the crowd. She saw an orator stand beside the musicians.

    There were several sections to the Gladiato Ultra. The closest to the action was the podium, helmed by the Oligarchs and their counselors. Second was the conductors, who were seated by the musicians and speakers. Third was the Equestrians, business owners, and aristocrats. Followed by the citizens, regardless of men or women. Then the Fifth, crammed by freemen, foreigners and the poor. There was no section for ghosts.

    ¡°Wonder-wonder. Who is going to be the Admirals?¡± The musicians finished their set and simmered, then the orator boomed. In the arena were Soul gems, placed on key statues and columns. With them his voice shot out, capturing everyone¡¯s attention.

    ¡°Today, we bring to you a special performance. A look back into the past. Decades ago, the tyrant Oligarch Damocles brought his unbreakable Tankas to the border of the Tripolian Empire. Steaming through their pathetic fields, he cut and slayed any in his path. But on a fateful day, his troops had to cross the Zariahan Gulf. Admiral Zhang Ye and General Xuan begin the transporting of his troops.¡± The arena began to flood, a river of water poured in. And out of a tunnel, came two war ships. Men rowed around the oval arena, blobbing in the still filling space. Two people stood out to her. Lai and Chakrit were playing the commanders, and Chakrit had a faint complaint.

    ¡°I¡¯m a Matigas, not a Kai-Ren. Why did I have to be Xuan?¡±

    ¡°Shut up Amber, just keep on with the show.¡± The musicians, with their trumpet and strings, sang a suspenseful motif.

    ¡°But their transporting of their troops would not be without conflict. As the Oligarch Zhou Itai had gone to backstab our beloved soldiers!¡± A gasp from the audience came, as another vessel entered, with a fierce set of entertainers.

    ¡°Zhou Itai, the craven, made a deal with the emperor of the Tripol. He would be granted power beyond mortals, if he managed to secure a victory against the navy. To battle with the noble Zheng Ye and Xuan. The loathsome traitor believed he could best our troops. And well, let¡¯s see them in action!¡± The band picked, placing high emphasis on the trumpet section. The actor playing Itai picked up a torch and blew flame at Lai¡¯s ship, as she used her costume¡¯s cape to block it.

    ¡°Open fire!¡± Lai shouted, as the men took to flinging their blunted spears. They struck a few of the entertainers as they fell back into the water, where there were canoes ready to scoop them from the water. Itai¡¯s actor stood unfazed, as he snapped his fingers. The ship''s bridge harpoon, pulled by its operators, turned to the direction of Chakrit¡¯s ship.

    ¡°Oh no! Itai plans to use his ship¡¯s corvus on his former comrades! Oh, the inhumanity!¡± The orator cried, as a disapproving hum from the audience came.

    ¡°Well, the insentience!¡± A roar of laughter came from the audience, along with Vega.

    ¡°Ha! That''s a-a funny word!¡± The bridge harpoon was just above the ship. Chakrit and his men took to holding it up, before it could activate.

    ¡°For the Oligarchy I fight, for the Oligarchy I die!¡± He monotonically chirped, very much not into the act. Some of the audience began to weep, wobbling in sorrow.

    ¡°How tragic! But what''s this, the city of Cryhii?¡± A wooden painting rose up from the water, showing a couple of buildings and a statue. Along it was attached a wooden scaffolding.

    ¡°If our heroes can make it to the bridge, they¡¯ll be saved!¡±

    ¡°If I make it through this, no one will save you.¡± Chakrit hissed to himself. Lai rubbed her chin and her eyes suddenly beamed.

    ¡°Men! Bring out the Black powder!¡± She shouted, soaking up the audience¡¯s gasps and reactions. One of the actors came up to her.

    ¡°But sir, it''s too dangerous, it might blow us up!¡± Lai, patting the entertainer on the shoulder, reassured.

    ¡°Don¡¯t worry. I¡¯ll do it!¡± Chakrit¡¯s ship started to break apart, as workers threw buckets of splinters into the water. The entertainers acted to be struggling, while Chakrit was super bored.

    ¡°Oh no. The ship is going to break, whatever we will do. If only Itai wasn¡¯t such an evil bastard.¡± He dryly read his lines, as Itai¡¯s actor swung his sword wildly, preparing to jump onto the adjacent ship.

    ¡°Men. Use the harpoon to anchor onto Xuan¡¯s ship! That¡¯s the only way.¡± Lai¡¯s men turnt the corvus, as she climbed onto the side of her ship. The corvus was an ingenious invention by the Sanguians, a boarding device designed to turn a sea battle into a land one.

    The bridge harpoon pierced into the planks, as the actors frenzied around. The crowd was thrilled, and Chakrit stood still, tapping his foot on the ground.

    ¡°Men, hop onto the ship!¡± As a sweating actor clung to Chakrit, pleading with his brows.

    ¡°But sir! What about you? You can¡¯t beat Zhou!¡±

    ¡°Nonsense, I will duel Itai personally!¡± His voice picked up, ready to do some action. Itai¡¯s actor plunged into Chakrit, as they danced with blades. Itai¡¯s choreographed wide slicing strikes, while Chakrit rolled around, barely dodging the attacks. The band horned on each missed hit, and stringed harmonies on whenever Chakrit poked Itai.

    ¡°Do you have the powder?¡± Lai held out her hand, quickly grasping, impatient for the prop. One of the actors tossed to her, and her face smiled devilishly. Itai grabbed onto Chakrit, pummeling his fist into his chest. Chakrit¡¯s sour demeanor arrived again.

    ¡°Oh no. I¡¯m getting my butt kicked. Whatever will I do?¡±

    ¡°Dear god! I can¡¯t watch this!¡± A man yelped out of the crowd.

    ¡°Xuan is getting murdered! What will our heroes do?¡± The orator sang out to the crowd, as the musicians created a tense strumming.

    ¡°Hey Itai! What doesn¡¯t breathe underwater? You!¡± Lai threw the metal ball into the air, as its wick burned with a rupturing sparkle. Chakrit shoved the actor backward, and ran towards Lai¡¯s ship. Its harpoon pulled away, as he leapt into the air. His hand caught onto it, as he was suspended above the water. The ball landed and bounced to the lap of Itai¡¯s actor, who let out a hideous cry.

    FAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAATOMB!

    Itai backflipped off the ship into the water below, as the flash from the explosion blinded everyone, except Vega.

    ¡°Man-man, I love this show.¡± The workers operating the ship drove back into the tunnels, as the crowd cheered.

    ¡°Our heroes have bested Zhou Itai! But what''s this? They have no else to go except Cryhii Bridge!¡± A worker ignited a part of the mast on fire, struggling to use a torch for a time.

    ¡°Ther-there we go.¡±

    ¡°Ah. There remains still a fight to be won!¡± The orator awkwardly spoke. The two ships parked by the platform and climbed the ladders beside it. Which was just below Vega. She admired her new outfits, equipped with long strips of fabric, and a painting written on her saying ¡°TORNADO¡±. The organizer nudged her back, and she shifted her eyes to him.

    ¡°Listen girl. You only got to swing that stick of yours three times, that''s it, remember. Nothing more, nothing less. Got it?¡± She nodded.

    ¡°Swing the stick-stick when I¡¯m called.¡± The organizer turned to leave as Vega spoke up again.

    ¡°Ya sure-sure nothing else-else?¡±

    ¡°Just don¡¯t screw it up and you¡¯ll be fine.¡± He reassured, hoping that his replacement wouldn¡¯t try anything stupid. She winked, ready to do anything stupid. The actors below fought, swinging blunted blades at each other.

    ¡°Despite losing their leader, these guys are giving us a real fight!¡± Lai shouted, clearly enjoying the act more than Chakrit. The band became an orchestra, as the orator¡¯s wine soaked tenor joined the composition. The fighting went up for a minute, with each threatening to push each of the platforms. A pair of trumpets broke through the combat.

    ¡°What¡¯s this? A devil has joined the field!¡± A gargantuan steel wall rose from the mob of actors, with a smiling mask and feathered crest.

    ¡°I am Damocles! I like to kill people for fun! Did I say I like to eat babies?¡± An innocent, but hilariously squeaking speech came out from the monster.

    ¡°The tyrant Oligarch Damocles has appeared, thirsting for blood.¡± The wind section of the band whistled, sounding like a spinning storm.

    ¡°With his arrival came a great, horrific, and all consuming tornado summoned from depths of hell!¡±

    You could be reading stolen content. Head to Royal Road for the genuine story.

    ¡°Show time Kaliba!¡± Throwing open the curtain, she jumped up and soared into the air. Performing a barrel rolling backflip, she caught the audience¡¯s curiosity, then their attention. Having a hundred feet to fall, she took to making poses to place the time, which got a few chuckles from the crowd. Kaliba circled around her, cawing out.

    ¡°Show time! Show time!¡± Landing between the parties in a perfect split, she swirled up, smiling her ever silly grin.

    ¡°I am Tornado! I am the mightest in all of the land!¡± The orator was horrified, along with the band. The audience however, laughed at this clearly comedic act.

    The orator, looking through his script, decided to improvise.

    ¡°Y-yes, the tornado came with a voice from its many victims! And would soon claim both armies!¡± The band joined with him.

    ¡°You¡¯re fat and smell like coins!¡± She loudly observed, mistaking the muscle of actor Damocles to be fat. The crowd joined in the mockery of the formerly alive Oligarch. Her eyes caught a tattoo on the neck of actor Damocles.

    ¡°Hey-hey! That''s a pretty sweet tattoo though.¡±

    ¡°I know right! All the guys love it!¡± The actor of Damocles blurted out.

    ¡°...what?¡±

    ¡°All the ladies love it!¡± People in the audience dropped and curled up in hysterics. The organizer raised a new script to the orator, who read it to himself and nudged his head backward.

    ¡°You sure? Alright.¡± He whispered, concerned with the hastily changed script.

    ¡°The Tornado had been one of Damocles'' old allies, out of the¡­ many natural disasters he could summon!¡±

    ¡°Yep, babysat him as a kid-kid too! His favorite food is vanilla ice cream!¡± The crowd muttered.

    ¡°Amazing, I never knew education and entertainment could go together so well.¡± A woman told her friends.

    Vega enjoyed entertaining others with her outrageous and bantering jokes. Her experience as being a mascot in fairs gave her a lot of material. Often too much material.

    ¡°He also loves sucking dic-¡± Lai slammed her hand on Vega¡¯s face. The crowd was enchanted by this curious person.

    ¡°I can tell ya he likes plenty of white stuff.¡±

    ¡°Now, strike our enemies from this bridge!¡± Damocles'' actor screamed, ready to get on with the show.

    ¡°Gotcha ya boss!¡±

    ¡°Idiot.¡± Kaliba chirped, causing the audience¡¯s faces to sting from all the laughter. Swinging three times, the confused entertainers hopped into the water.

    ¡°And there you have it! The Battle of Cryhii Bridge!¡± Claps and cheers bounced around the arena. Lai and Chakrit wiped the sweat off their faces, thinking this was the end of their part. A fleet of canoes swam out of a tunnel, each with a bucket with an expanding cone at the top.

    ¡°Thank you for your lovely patronage today, but this isn¡¯t over. By throwing your tickets into a particular bucket, YOU in the audience get to select our next performance!¡± Most of the entertainers exitted, while Lai and Chakrit investigated Vega.

    ¡°What are you doing? Why are you in the show?¡± Chakrit angrily mumbled, shaking her as he spoke.

    ¡°I¡¯m in debt.¡± Vega was completely honest in her tone.

    ¡°You know what¡­ fair.¡± Lai replied.

    ¡°That''s right everyone. And these three will be performing it.¡± The bandit¡¯s faces dropped, while Vega and Kaliba held no fear. For now.

    ¡°These randomly selected actors will act out your battle of choice. As you can see, each color bucket is a choice. Obstacle course? Fight a hundred lions? Last man standing? Their lives are in your hands!¡±

    ¡°Which is which?¡±

    ¡°I have no idea Amber¡­¡±

    ¡°...shit.¡±

    ¡°That¡¯s the idea.¡± Lai whimpered.

    This was one of the few times people voted in the Oligarchy, and lesser of those events where their votes mattered at all. Everyone in the audience took to throwing, with plenty tossing into the orange canoe. The workers counted quickly and circled in the middle of the pond.

    ¡°Hey Sun?¡± Amber spoke.

    ¡°Yes?¡±

    ¡°Just want to let you know, you¡¯re like the best friend I ever had. And you¡¯re, like, a really awesome girl.¡± He spoke in an angelic kindness. Lai blushed, thinking that her next moments would be full of pain.

    ¡°Oh my gosh-gosh, just kiss already!¡± Vega groaned, upset that these two were complaining.

    ¡°Ruined the mood, scarecrow.¡± Chakirt returned to his sour voice.

    ¡°I believe we have the results. You, the illustrious people in the audience, with your bounteous and fruitful wisdom-.¡± Complementing the crowd, the orator sweetly bought their attention.

    ¡°Yeah sure.¡± Chakrit muttered.

    ¡°Did they not tell which bucket is which? Or that ya will be in this part?¡± Vega quired.

    ¡°No! They only wanted cheap actors. Only paid us a hundred brass. Itchy costumes too.¡± The giant woman educated the scarecrow. Vega bent down, feeling bad for the two.

    ¡°Wow. Sorry, I can share some of my gold if ya want.¡±

    ¡°No thanks. I mostly came here to entertain- what did you say?¡± Slurring her words to question Vega, Lai was stunned.

    ¡°I got paid ten gold to be-be the tornado.¡±

    ¡°...that son of a bitc-¡±

    ¡°-which you have selected, will determine their fates!¡± The orator broke their focus, as the bandits prayed to whatever spirit out there.

    ¡°You have voted, a dance battle!¡± The roar of the rabble ringed out, ready to see his incredible performance. With all the water finally drained out of the arena, the floor was a visible, coarse sand.

    The trio hopped downward, two of them nervous, one of them elated. Kaliba took off, now eating a counselor''s forgotten meal. A flashing light cast over them, along with jazzy drummers.

    ¡°Whoever wins this fight will receive a bonus along with the next show.¡± A lowering chandelier craned downward. With it, was the chest Vega saw earlier, along with an actress. Whistles and clicks from the men came out.

    Most of the audience only saw a performance. Vega, being the inquisitive observer she was, saw indicators of the actress¡¯s strength.

    Florato, hanging from the chandelier, was slightly taller than most men and of herculean physique. Vega saw scars of combat around her shoulders, biceps, and belly. She took them as signs of growing progress and¡­ well, muscular power!

    Wearing a mock bikini armor outfit, the carmel skin lady flipped her wavy honey combed hair to the crowd. Because the actress was a lot larger in places the bandit lady wasn¡¯t, Lai felt¡­ inadequate.

    ¡°Do guys¡­ like these types of girls, Amber?¡±

    ¡°Don¡¯t know, ask me again when I see her butt.¡± Chakrit openly mindedly and open eyed, responded.

    ¡°I get a pretty lady if I win? Alright!¡± Vega was ready for the fight of her life.

    ¡°Everyone ready?!¡± The orator, martialing the audience¡¯s hype. The crowd cheered in understanding.

    Three,

    Two,

    One,

    ¡°Go!¡± The trio yelled, as Lai and Chakrit began their duel. While spontaneous, both of their movements matched up together.

    ¡°Wow, I never knew you could dance, Lady!¡±

    ¡°I can?¡± Their movements often were high off the ground, placing emphasis on the swinging of the arms. The crowd got into their style of dance, along with the band. Vega felt outclassed, the churning in her body struck again.

    ¡°K-Kaliba! What should I do!?¡± The bird had started to drink the gallon of wine an Oligarch bought, and screeched in a drunk tone.

    ¡°Billie!¡± Her heart paused, realizing her dance was the next.

    ¡°Ya sure-sure?!¡±

    ¡°Yes-yes!¡±

    ¡°I mean, if ya say so.¡± She tore off her left glove, and unzipped her jacket, revealing a moon white shirt. The bandits slowed, with Lai carrying Chakrit in a spinning motion. Jumping into a kneeling stance, the pair waved to the crowd.

    ¡°What an excellent performance, now let¡¯s see what our tornado can do.¡± Raising her wooden first into the air, Vega shouted to the earth and sky.

    ¡°Ow! Who¡¯s bad?¡±

    ¡°She¡¯s bad!¡± Kaliba screeched, prompting some of the people around him to join in the call and response.

    ¡°Who¡¯s bad?¡±

    ¡°She¡¯s bad!¡±

    ¡°Who¡¯s bad?¡±

    ¡°She¡¯s bad!¡± With each call, more and more people joined in the response. Soon the entire arena joined with her. The orator and organizer smiled at each other, this scarecrow was something else!

    ¡°Who¡¯s bad?¡±

    ¡°She¡¯s bad!¡± Their chant reached the entire city.

    ¡°Nah, I¡¯m even worse!¡± A trio trumpets signaled the creation of something magical. The drum beat entered, with a hi hat, and a delicious bassline with it. Vega shook her left leg, and gripped onto her belt. Snapping her fingers, the crowd watched in silent excitement.

    ¡°Can she do that? Does she even have the copyright to do that?¡±

    ¡°What are you talking about Lady?¡± Amber raised his brow to the giant.

    ¡°Nothing, just something the audience knows, I guess. Micheal must be pissed.¡± Vega struck out her arm, snapping up and down. On each shake, she stepped back. And when the music picked up, she spun around and pointed to the orator. Surprised, he at first waved off the invitation. But with more and more people encouraging him to join the hot improvised rhythm, he joined with a quiet vocal.

    Vega flipped and twirled, the single dancer in this arena of music. The bandits knew that the battle was rigged from the start. Minutes passed, with the crowd cheering on Vega¡¯s indomitable vigor. Kicking out her legs, flaring out her hips and shoulders, it was a performance the audience hadn¡¯t seen before.

    ¡°Hey Lady?¡±

    ¡°Yeah Amber?

    ¡°She¡¯s good¡­¡±

    ¡°No¡­ she¡¯s even better.¡±

    A guitar fanned fire as Vega jumped and downed, casting a spell to everyone. She snapped her hat and struck a pose, her left hand on her head, and her right leg bent. She spun on her heels and lifted onto her toes. And launched upward, completing a barrel roll in the process.

    As she landed, she pushed her foot behind her.

    ¡°No! Not the mo-¡± Lai begged.

    The scarecrow started moonwalking.

    ¡°That¡¯s not fair! You have no bones! No blood! No articulations! How?!¡± Both bandits argued, barely audible by the cheering arena. She glided across the arena, getting the audience to roar in amazement.

    Vega finished her moonwalk, and posed out to an entertained arena.

    ¡°Game, set, and match! Tornado is our winner!¡± The orator proclaimed. Vega dusted herself, and waved out to the crowd, showering her in affection. Flowers from all round the Oligarchy fell, in respect to this wonderful scarecrow.

    ¡°Do I get-get the lady now?

    ¡°Thank you for sticking with us, now for the dessert.¡± Gates started to lift from all sides, a thin smoke with it. Groups of fighters of all forms exitted. The three backed up until they were shoulder to shoulder.

    ¡°Ya guys want to share the pretty lady when we¡¯re done?¡±

    ¡°Honestly yeah. Although I haven¡¯t kissed anyone yet, I''d like to try. Could use a smooch or two.¡± Lai, open minded and open eyed, responded.

    ¡°Hah. Gay.¡± Chakrit teased.

    ¡°Bitch. I might be.¡±

    ¡°The following contains scenes of graphic stupidity around lifelong fighters competing to kill each other!¡± Hordes of gladiators walked out, along with some familiar fools.

    ¡°Hey Skaldi?¡±

    ¡°Yeah hubby?¡± Skaldi¡¯s ears were tense, trembling at the army of warriors. He saw roughly several hundred, and saw their banners stick out. The same banner icon was painted on their faces as well.

    ¡°The scarecrow is right there.¡± Bolato sneezed out. Amir coughed in the cramped space, with Valiato clinging to his back. Her face was of sadistic malice. A horde of targets, she knew.

    ¡°What about it, Bolato?¡±

    ¡°As far as I have heard, she¡¯s pretty good at managing people. So, just thinking out loud, we try to befriend her and not get our ass kicked?¡±

    ¡°Not a chance!¡± Skaldi shot out, knowing the consequences.

    ¡°What¡¯s an ass Bola?¡± Valiato queried.

    ¡°Ask Amir.¡±

    ¡°~What¡¯s an ass Amir?~¡±

    ¡°~Ask Skaldi.~¡±

    ¡°What''s an ass Ska?¡±

    ¡°Something Bolato likes a lot.¡± Skaldi told the truest of truths.

    ¡°Focus! If we make the top eight, we get enough money for a cart. Then we can do the bank job.

    ¡°Aim small, miss small, sweetpea.¡± Skaldi signaled. Valiato¡¯s grip on her pouch and sling tightened, along with her brows.

    ¡°Now sweetie, I know you want to beat Lai up, but now''s not the time. Focus, and we get on with our lives.¡± Skaldi took a breath, and steeled his heart.

    ¡°The finale for this wonderful concert. Everyone, place your bets! The remaining actors are allowed to choose any team they like. If the team they choose wins, they get a bonus of a thousand gold!¡± He paused, building suspense.

    ¡°However, the team that knocks them out regardless of whether they make the top eight, gets that thousand!¡± All of the groups started eyeing them up, ready to claim that prize.

    ¡°Lady, please don¡¯t choose the Ratlings! They¡¯re looking at me funny!¡± Chakrit¡¯s voice shook in terror.

    ¡°I don¡¯t know who to pick! Everyone is so mean looking! Don¡¯t you guys have fun outside of hurting people?¡± Lai called out to the roaming teams. The bandits stuttered and shivered, knowing that no matter who they chose, they had a target on their back. Vega however, had an idea.

    ¡°Hey Kaliba! Which team should-should I pick?

    ¡°Climbers.¡±

    ¡°Hey, talking guy! We choose the redhead-head¡¯s team!¡± Skaldi winced, slapping his face. The bandit pair joined him.

    ¡°The remaining actors joined the team¡­ Mega Ultra Chicken!¡± Everyone in the audience started to bet on every other team aside from Mega Ultra Chicken.

    ¡°Hey hubby?¡±

    ¡°Yeah Skaldi?¡±

    ¡°How much does it cost to go to the hospital?¡± Skaldi whimpered out a plea.

    ¡°Don¡¯t know. Depends on whether or not you have insurance.¡±

    ¡°Alright. In this final melee, the teams will fight until the last man standing. If you are knocked down, you are out.¡± The audience muttered to themselves.

    ¡°However, if you manage to destroy the team¡¯s banner, the whole team are goners!¡± Chakrit blew a sigh of relief.

    ¡°Oh, that¡¯s it? Maybe we have a chance to win.¡±

    ¡°Along with the audience voting in death traps.¡±

    ¡°...Less of a chance.¡± Everyone except Vega and Kaliba tensed up. Because Kaliba managed to eat enough food to get him into a coma, and Vega¡¯s fear hadn¡¯t kicked in. Not yet anyway.

    ¡°Thanks Linda.¡± Skaldi skewered, seeing Vega¡¯s card on her shirt.

    ¡°I¡¯m no Linda, climber.¡± Vega smiled, not knowing the doom that would befall her.

    ¡°And this melee will start¡­ after these messages!¡± A collective boo from the audience roared out.

 Chapter 9: Melee Madness

    Chapter 9: Melee Madness

    You know what I think about Vega? That she¡¯s a failed tool. Not that she isn¡¯t a good person or a selfish being, I¡¯ll let you decide. A scarecrow that doesn¡¯t complete its job. To scare crows. In her one purpose, she is doomed to fail. Because she wants to help instead of being a tool. Funny, isn¡¯t it? How so many are told to be a role, but can¡¯t due to their nature. This idea leads to much confusion in the Oligarchy, the idea of expectation versus ambition.

    When one wants to trick, and the other wants to deceive, what is the result? Oligarchs are expected to defend and aid their subjects, yet lusts for fame and glory. A bird is expected to be fearful of people but exploits them to their benefit.

    It is only when it discomforts the operations of society it is seen as vulgar. Just as with the hay girl herself. It prompts a question. Are the performers acting out their assigned roles the issue? Their violation of those roles? Or is it the conductor forcing social relations is the issue? And why are they encouraged to do so?

    I hold the truth that Vega longs for people. But she just can¡¯t seem to get it right!

    Seven people were stationed in the room, along with an air of distaste and tightened bowels in there with them. Amir, Valiato, Bolato, and Skaldi sat on the right side. Lai, Chakrit, Vega and Kaliba sat on the right. The soldier was the first to try to break the silence.

    ¡°Chakrit¡­¡±

    ¡°Bolato¡­¡± The tan man removed the mask of his costume, showing a pleasing but nervous face. Bolato moved his posture to copy that of Chakrit.

    ¡°So this isn¡¯t exactly the best of situations.¡± Bolato admitted the truth.

    ¡°Having a huge target on your back tends not to be that, yeah. But then again, Lady and I would¡¯ve been screwed in the first place.¡± Chakrit admitted the truth. It didn¡¯t ease the tension in the room. But a voice spoke out, in pure innocence.

    ¡°So¡­ do-do ya guys need help?¡± Vega sweetly chimed in.

    ¡°Yes. Tell me if you feel pain.¡± Skaldi sadistically chimed in.

    ¡°Yes, but only when-when I don¡¯t close my eyes sometimes. But how does that help ya?¡± Kaliba shook its head.

    ¡°It doesn¡¯t.¡±

    ¡°Oh¡­ Do the rest of ya guys need help?¡± Valiato, peering over the shoulder of Amir, raised her hand.

    ¡°Yes-yes girl?¡±

    ¡°What are you, and how did you get in this concert?¡±

    ¡°Her name is Vega, she¡¯s as simple as a stick, yada yada, we¡¯re all dead.¡± Lai quickly summarized her history. Bolato leaned forward to ask.

    ¡°And you¡¯re telling me it-¡±

    ¡°She.¡± Lai corrected.

    ¡°-She put you on the backfoot?¡± Bolato finished, having Lai and Chakrit looking down in disappointment. Valiato, in spite of their circumstance, had started to admire Vega. She hopped off the bench and joined Vega on her side.

    ¡°So where do you come from Vega?¡± This was the first time Vega had been asked this question personally, but she knew that people asked this question of her.

    ¡°Don¡¯t know little lady. I¡¯m not like you. I¡¯m a ghost.¡± Valiato''s face beamed.

    ¡°~Ari Amir! I found a ghost like me!~¡± Amir was dealing with an asthmatic fit but he raised a thumbs up to his daughter.

    ¡°But I can¡¯t quite remember. I had a purpose, probably. Right now I¡¯m trying to find this voice-voice. Have ya heard it?¡± Skaldi¡¯s skin boiled with anxiety and rage. He was going to lose out on the heist, all because of some animated farming tool.

    ¡°Enough! We need to come up with a plan, or we''re gonna lose this chance on easy cash.¡±

    ¡°Not exactly easy anymore.¡± Chakrit whispered to Lai.

    ¡°You, shut face. Let¡¯s at least think¡­ we got three big guys, two guys with range, and two wildcards.¡± Skaldi pondered their resources.

    ¡°Why am I a wildcard? Chakrit demanded.

    ¡°Ya forgot Kaliba.¡±

    ¡°Because you¡¯re the one always making weird inventions. And fine, the bird counts too I guess.¡± Vega high fived Kaliba. Lai stood up, towering over the team, especially the redhead.

    ¡°Ok. A good plan of attack would be to hold the banner on me, use the traps to our advantage, and eventually outlast them.¡± Skaldi had immediate reservations.

    ¡°That won¡¯t work. There¡¯s hundreds of them out there. It would be better if we kept the banner on our fastest and most nimble person, and tossed it to someone else if they got tired. Fighting isn¡¯t an option. Running is!¡±

    The pair took to arguing, but definitely not the pathetic slapping as they were before. Amir finished his coughing fit, but noticed Vega and his daughter were whispering to each other.

    ¡°~Kid, what are you talking about?~¡±

    ¡°~Nothing just got a few ideas.~¡± Amir leaned forward and put his hand on his chin. The argument didn¡¯t let up.

    ¡°How do we know that the traps will work? What if they end up hurting us instead?¡± Skaldi conflicted, pressing his finger to the face of the giant lady.

    ¡°At least we¡¯re sticking together in mine! Your plan, running around like headless chickens, is gonna get us killed!¡±

    ¡°Don¡¯t diss team Mega Ultra Chicken.¡± Bolato remarked.

    ¡°You¡¯re not involved in this sweetie!¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m feeling pretty involved.¡±

    Vega, taking off her shirt, poured tens of dozens of doodats on the ground, catching everyone¡¯s attention. She sorted through them until she found the object of desire. A metal ball with a long fuse. She was holding an active bomb.

    ¡°W-what is that?¡± Skaldi croaked out.

    ¡°Bob. At least that''s what the bandits called it.¡±

    ¡°Bandits?¡±

    ¡°I helped out these bad-bad guys for a while, and they told me to hide stuff inside of me. Don¡¯t know why-why.¡±

    On the ground were various sets of knives, weighted dice, tripwire, a book used to hide encrypted messages, two false brass coins, and a pony. A toy pony which Valiato grabbed and hugged.

    ¡°And why did you pour your metaphorical and literal guts on the ground?¡± Skaldi prodded, careful not to set off Vega.

    ¡°Valiato wanted a toy-toy to play with.¡±

    ¡°Kids tend to do that.¡± Chakrit said, unfazed by the bomb, as was tinkering with his own black powder device.

    ¡°Also she came up with a cool-cool idea.¡± As she stuffed the contraband back inside, Valiato stood between the feuding parties.

    ¡°We don¡¯t need to fight them. We just need to break their banners!¡± A silence was loud in the room.

    ¡°Idiots!¡± Kaliba cawed out.

    ¡°We can¡¯t run or outlast, but we just need to break their banners and then we win.¡± Valiato enthusiastically spoke. Lai and Skaldi were given pause, why didn¡¯t they think of that?

    ¡°Wow, we¡¯re that dumb.¡± Lai rubbed her cheek.

    ¡°~Kid, you want to use the bomb?~¡± Amir knew the tempo of the conversation, and was proud that his daughter broke the argument.

    ¡°~Yes Ari!~¡±

    ¡°~That''s my girl!~¡±

    ¡°Hold on. That is a good plan, but how do we do it sweetpea?¡± Skaldi knelt to the face of the girl.

    ¡°We piggy back-back ya guys-guys and you snipe the banners with your weapons!¡± Vega smiled beamed, not realizing that she said a sentence that was close to the idea of smart.

    ¡°That, actually might work. Sweetie, how many banners did you see?¡± Bolato prompted, as Skaldi counted on his fingers.

    ¡°Roughly fifty? Fivity five!¡±

    ¡°Alright! All we need to do is snipe at least forty seven banners and we¡¯re set.¡± Bolato stood, ready to act. Lai and Skaldi groaned, the only thing agreeing with them.

    ¡°I know you guys don¡¯t like each other, and you don¡¯t need to. But just this once, we work together and we get on with our lives. Can you do that?¡± Bolato held their shoulders. Both of them stared away, but nodded.

    ¡°Glad you guys are happy. But one problem, who is going to hold the banner?¡± Chakrit questioned, stunning the room. But all eyes turned to the scarecrow, dropping some of the curios she was putting back into herself.

    ¡°Ya guys need help?¡±

    The advertisement section of the concert had finished, along with the audience¡¯s patience. They were ready for the final act of their long awaited entertainment. A chant started, starting from the top going to the bottom!

    ¡°Melee! Melee!¡± The crowd¡¯s calls echoed out. The organizer motioned the doctor of the hospital to hurry up with his call for donation.

    ¡°So if you donate, you save a life. Thank you.¡± The antoid was disappointed that the people would prefer bloodshed over making blood banks. Nothing would change in this blasted Oligarchy.

    The gates opened up, and hundreds of fighters walked in, taking their assigned place. Team Mega Ultra Chicken stood at the center. Valiato was on top of Bolato, Chakirt on Amir, and Skaldi on Lai. And Kaliba was also on Vega I guess.

    ¡°~You got the bomb ready?~¡± Amir coughed out, steeling himself against an asthma attack.

    ¡°What is the Tripol saying kid?¡±

    ¡°If you got the bomb ready?¡±

    ¡°Yeah. You sure you don¡¯t want me to aim it directly at them?¡± Chakrit was thirsting for blood.

    ¡°If you do, you¡¯re gonna get us a murder charge Amber!¡±

    ¡°But that makes it fun Lady.¡±

    ¡°Shut up and stick to the plan!¡± Skaldi hated being held by the giant lady and made it evident constantly.

    ¡°And that means you scarecrow!¡± Vega observed the many groups around them. She felt awkward with the banner inside her wooden ribs.

    ¡°Here we are! The final match in the Concert of Combat. Remember, whichever groups that make the top eight get an incredible two thousand gold!¡± A scream erupted from the crowd, amazed by the high stakes match.

    ¡°However, whoever takes first gets an incredible fifty thousand gold, along with a personal meeting with the Oligarch of Suncatch!¡± The audience¡¯s screams grew, noticeably weakened by the low priced wine of the province.

    ¡°Stay focused! Eyes on the prize!¡± Skaldi commanded, but Vega didn¡¯t listen. She saw something. A couple yards from her, was a gladiator. He was holding a trident. But she didn¡¯t see it as one.

    Want to know why she holds a pickaxe? Because for her it means life and creation. To make the natural into the artificial.

    This text was taken from Royal Road. Help the author by reading the original version there.

    ¡°The melee will start in five!¡±

    Want to know why she doesn¡¯t hold a pitchfork?

    Four!

    Why does she doesn¡¯t like them?

    Three!

    Because¡­

    Two!

    A pitchfork¡­

    One!

    Is a symbol of death. She felt the fear of death¡­ for the second time.

    ¡°GO!"

    ¡°NO! Running! Run time!¡± Vega slipped backward and went into a sprint, away from the team.

    ¡°Charge!¡± Team Mega Ultra Chicken rushed forward, dodging all the immediate attacks, and began the climb to survival. The musicians broke out a handsome and tense song, with the orator adding low tones to it. Valiato and Skaldi quickly dispatched a few banners, but Chakrit struggled as Amir bobbled in his running.

    ¡°Stop running so weirdly!¡± Amir¡¯s breath was harried, but he pressed onward. Vega¡¯s bolting run wasn¡¯t unnoticed as a few gladiators followed close behind her.

    ¡°The first trap voted¡­ water pipes!¡± A geyser of water shot just behind her, knocking out the men into the air and crashing on the ground.

    ¡°Team Rusted Rangers are out!¡± A few boos came out from the crowd.

    ¡°Boo yourself! You bloodthirsty snake skins!¡± Skaldi yelled, as he threw at knife, breaking another banner. Their plan started to upset the team he eliminated.

    ¡°What!? But we just started!¡± Another rising pillar of water struck the complainers.

    ¡°Die! Die!¡± Valiato screamed, aiming at the face of a Goatling.

    ¡°Kid! The banners! Get the banners!¡± Bolato yelped out, dodging the increasing pools of water spawning around them. He jumped, skitted, and bulldozed through the men trying to take him down. Valiato¡¯s face cooled, and she looked down.

    ¡°Oh yeah. Sorry about that Bola.¡±

    ¡°Less talking, more breaking!¡± He squealed. The audience in rows, rapidly voted in their next death trap of choice. The organizer looked on, noting the increasingly more sadistic and bizarre traps. Not that he didn¡¯t mind, he was getting a lot of money from the audience voting.

    ¡°Next trap¡­ Blood bug archers!¡± Squadrons of man sized flying mosquito soldiers flew above the battle. Each one carrying blunted arrows, and raining their bullets down at the fighters. One managed to strike a banner of a small ratling.

    ¡°Team Gold Heart is out of here!¡±

    ¡°~Whatever. Let¡¯s go eat some garbage~¡± The ratling chirped out. Vega darted past the eliminated team, leaving a trail of dust in her wake.

    ¡°Why?! Why-why do I have to feel bad now?! I hate this!¡± Vega screamed, her eyes still glued on the gladiator with the trident. A fighter, armed with two bows and four arms, took aim at her. She flipped and narrowly danced around his arrows.

    ¡°What do I do?!¡± An idea popped into her head. A wonderful idea. A divine, wonderful, very good idea.

    ¡°I got it! Stealth mode! Activate!¡± She stopped moving, confusing the Asuran archer. She planted her feet into the ground, completely sure that she would be safe. Soon after a giant spike ball slammed into her, carrying her off into the sky.

    ¡°Ouch! The spike ball set is a real crowd pleaser!¡± The orator called out, as the ball swung upwards to the crowd. She felt the banner was still intact inside her, while her belly was pierced by a spike.

    ¡°Oh! Now I feel better.¡± Vega clung to it like a child would to a doll. The melee grew intense, with the added traps breaking the sparse cohesion in the arena. Water broke teams apart, along with the flying fighters. The blood bugs peppered Lai, goading her into a barely restrained anger.

    ¡°Good! We¡¯re fifteen down!¡± Skaldi boasted, annoying Lai who continued to get pelted by bullet after bullet. His skilled throwing of darts and knives secured the giant¡¯s path, but pain came in her shouting voice.

    ¡°Shut up knife ear!¡±

    ¡°Shut up girl!¡± This threw her over the edge, as her face turned into a bright crimson.

    ¡°That¡¯s it!¡± She lifted Skaldi off her, and held onto his legs.

    ¡°Wait! You¡¯re not a gir-¡±. Lai, wielding him like a battle-axe, swung Skaldi at the men surrounding her. To great effectiveness, mind you. He put up his arms, desperately trying to survive the onslaught.

    ¡°You¡¯re a lady! You¡¯re a lady! Just stop using me as a weapon!¡± She knocked one man into a gesyer and another man into a spike ball. And finally placed Skaldi back on her shoulders, who was panting and painted in bruises.

    ¡°Damn that felt good.¡±

    ¡°Damn¡­ that felt bad.¡± Skaldi exhausted.

    Amir was on the brink of collapse, as Chakrit tried to communicate with him. He swung and battered men to the ground, but his legs numbed and felt faint.

    ¡°Don¡¯t worry, just a little further and I can use the bomb!¡±

    ¡°~Whatever you¡¯re saying¡­ it sounds stupid!¡± Amir slowed down, as the men chasing him caught up.

    ¡°God damn it all!¡± Chakrit, using his wrist harpoon, fired the bomb into the air. He hopped off the heaving Tripol and struggled to pick him up.

    ¡°Why do all the people I interact with have to be so heavy? Come on! Don¡¯t want to be near when the bomb explodes!¡± He bolted, as the gladiators behind him stared at the bomb still in the air.

    ¡°Should we move out of the way or¡­?¡± A fighter hesitantly asked.

    ¡°Nah, I haven¡¯t seen fireworks before.¡±

    FAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAATOMB!

    A brilliant flash of light encased the entire arena, along with an echoing boom. It sent scores of people down to the ground.

    ¡°W-worth it¡­¡± A gladiator groaned out.

    ¡°Ah yes. Seems the black powder trap went a bit early! But that is just the beginning folks!¡± The orator spoke out. The explosion broke the chain of the spike ball the Vega was on, and was now falling to the arena below. She stared down, giving a solid ten seconds to think of a way to escape.

    ¡°Hmm. Maybe if I..¡± She pushed herself off the spike and jumped into the geyser below, catching her fall.

    ¡°Huh. That-that worked. Cool!¡± Kaliba peeked her neck.

    ¡°What is up Kali-PITCHFORK! RUN!¡± Vega continued on her sprint. Skaldi struggled to fire shots, at least ones that were good enough to break more banners.

    ¡°Hey redhead! What are you doing, we only need to eliminate ten more to get into the top eight!¡± His face pooled with sweat, and he brushed his hair out of his eyes, using only his thumb.

    ¡°Y-you wouldn¡¯t happen to have something to drink, would you?¡± He slumped backward.

    ¡°Wake up elf! Wake up!¡± Lai ordered, but Skaldi couldn¡¯t and definitely wouldn¡¯t listen. Valiato struck multiple banners in quick succession, as Bolato kept up dodging the opposing teams. Bolato''s pace was hampered by the blood bugs attacks, as he tried to shield Valiato from their blunted bullets.

    ¡°Hey kid!¡±

    ¡°Yeah Bola?¡±

    ¡°Can you hit the next bomb that comes out?¡± Valiato eyed up the bombs the workers were tossing. She proudly smiled.

    ¡°Can I?¡± A clearly rhetorical question.

    ¡°... can you-¡±

    ¡°Yeah!¡± She quickly interrupted. She spun her sling, preparing for the next bomb. It dropped just above the bug squadron. She ceased the movement, sending a rock right at the bomb. A flashing explosion blew the bugs down to the ground, as well as the team following them. Valiato¡¯s voice beamed.

    ¡°Bola! Did you see that Bola! I did it!¡±

    ¡°What are you saying kid? I¡¯m blind and I can¡¯t see where I¡¯m going!¡± He ran into a geyser on the ground, sending the pair flying upwards, and crashing on the ground.

    ¡°Two members of Team Mega Ultra Chicken have been eliminated, but there still remains just eleven more teams left!¡± Valiato was effectively unconscious, as well as Bolato. Charkit hopped over their bodies, chased by a horde of fighters.

    ¡°A-are you done dying old man, because they¡¯re catching up to me!¡± Chakirt carried the elder, who was still recovering her strength.

    ¡°~Shut up cu-~¡±

    ¡°W-whatever ¡®Guitin bal cotin¡¯ means, it better mean you''re getting off your ass s-soon!¡± Chakrit hissed. The gladiator wielding the trident threw his net at him, whizzing through the air.

    ¡°A-alright! Tossing you now!¡± Chakrit¡¯s arm lifted, throwing Amir into the air and into a staggering landing. His ankles immediately tied up, making Chakrit faceplant into the ground.

    ¡°Another member of Team Mega is out, down to four members. This match is getting close now!¡± Amir eventually found his footings bolted to his nearest teammate he could see.

    ¡°Hey-hey big guy! How many teams do we-we need to get out?¡± Vega was glad to see the tall Tripol. He recoiled, slowly turning his head forward.

    ¡°~I should¡¯ve taken that Iozian class back in college.~¡±

    ¡°Huh. Someone who I don¡¯t understand. That¡¯s ok, I like ya company either way.¡± The pair converged to Lai, running while shaking the elf increasingly harder.

    ¡°Wake up! I¡¯ll stop being racist if you wake up!¡±

    ¡°Hey Lady! So what-what do we need to do?¡± Amir fell behind, but Vega held his hand, pulling him closer to ear shot.

    ¡°Well, the redhead is out of commission. The kid and Bolato are goners, and I assume Chakrit got decked. That doesn¡¯t matter, we need just one more and we¡¯re all set!¡± Skaldi¡¯s eyes rose up, and he immediately became disgusted.

    ¡°Oh¡­ it¡¯s you again. Gonna use me as a weapon again, huh?¡±

    ¡°Shut up! You were being sexist!¡±

    ¡°I was being correct!¡±

    ¡°~Fuck¡­ you¡­ all¡­~¡± Amir collapsed behind, coughing egregiously before fainting. Lai and Vega stared back, and the giant lady released Skaldi onto the ground, joining in their sprint.

    ¡°Team Ultra down to three members! Who will claim their prize? Who will claim their lives?¡± The audience cheered and whooped, the ecstasy of betting fights took effect on the populace.

    ¡°Just use your knives or something!¡± Lai blurted, hoping that Skaldi would find a strategy to make their whole effort worth it.

    ¡°Don¡¯t have anymore. Hey, scarecrow! Do you have any more knives in you?¡±

    ¡°Maybe, but then the stuff is also in my rib-ribs.¡±

    ¡°So, what¡¯s the problem?¡± Skaldi beckoned.

    ¡°Well, what¡¯s the reason ya guys put the banner in me in the first place?¡±

    ¡°...shit.¡± Lai laughed, humored at the fact the redhead forgot about their plan. His face turned passion red.

    ¡°Alright. How about this? We just hang on the sidelines and-¡± A geyser erupted beside them, sending Vega into the heavens. It hissed and showered all around, and essentially gave Vega a bath she was missing out on.

    ¡°Weeeeeee¡­¡± Vega squealed with excitement. The remaining two stopped moving to stare at the airborne construct, along with the arena.

    ¡°This geyser was sponsored by the Civitus Operation Group. For the low price for a hundred gold, you too can have geysers in your home. Need pipes? Bring the COGS!¡± A murmur of consideration emitted from the richer sections of the audience.

    ¡°Any other ideas Lady?¡± Skaldi sarcastically questioned. Lai looked around, searching for something to use. She saw a blood bug, just above them.

    ¡°Can I throw you?¡±

    ¡°Ha! Can you? ¡­Wait, don''t!¡± Lai picked up Skaldi, as he squirmed to get out of her grip. The fighters around her noticed, and immediately rushed her. She aimed, and pelted Skaldi at the flying fighter. He leapt on, holding the needle mouth of the mosquito mercenary.

    ¡°Yeah I know, it''s weird that I¡¯m here. But just give me your bow!¡± The bug dived and buzzed around the sides of the arena. The fighter took to slamming the redhead into the walls, scraping him in the process.

    ¡°As far as we know, there remains only one member left of Team Mega!¡±

    ¡°Shut up!¡±

    ¡°Idiot.¡± Kaliba flew right beside the bug, and took to poking it in its eye. It managed to scratch it, sending it careening into the ground. Skaldi launched himself off, taking the bow away from the bug. On his descent he saw just four fighters around him. Landing, he snickered, as he raised the bow in front of him.

    ¡°Fools! Did you seriously think you could best¡­ Team! Mega! Ultra! Chicken!¡± He pulled back, notching an arrow inside. Then he pulled back again. And again. Never completely, to the confusion of the last fighters.

    ¡°Why can¡¯t I shoot this thing!¡± Turns out being of terrible fitness translates to being a terrible archer.

    ¡°Want us to help you with that? The trident gladiator prompted.

    ¡°Oh! You must think you¡¯re funny!¡± Skaldi furiously fired an insult.

    ¡°Bitch I might be.¡±

    The gladiators took to kicking Skaldi¡¯s ass. Booty shorts and all.

    ¡°So-so, when am I supposed to get down Kaliba?¡± Vega was being suspended in the air by the mighty Kaliba.

    ¡°Yes.¡±

    ¡°Ya sure?¡±

    ¡°Gold!?¡±

    ¡°Ah you¡¯re right-right.¡± The pair descended to what looked like a rampaged battle field. Smoke, knocked out opponents, and the stray pools of water.

    ¡°Huh. Guess I should look-look for the red guy. Hey red guy! I still have the banner!¡±

    ¡°Wait, there''s still another person here?¡±

    ¡°Yep-yep. Have you seen my buddy? He¡¯s red, and has ears that look like leaves. Has that weird underwear on? Does that ring a bell-bell?¡±

    ¡°Yeah.¡±

    ¡°Well, ya see, I need to help him and his buddies, then I can go back to finding that voice.¡± Vega¡¯s vision of the gladiator was obscured by the smoke around him.

    ¡°Don¡¯t worry. Just follow my voice.¡± The trident gladiator stepped through the smoke, the only remaining fighter aside than Vega. And fine, the bird counts too I guess. She stepped back, she saw the pitchfork again.

    ¡°Oh no.¡±

    ¡°Oh yes. Come on scarecrow. Let¡¯s finish this, just like our own teams couldn¡¯t.¡± The gladiator navigated this wasteland, as the audience looked in great suspense. The orator and organizer had no words.

    ¡°Wait. Hold-hold on! I don¡¯t want to fight you.¡±

    ¡°Why not? We¡¯re both fighters, its what we do.¡± Vega felt an emptiness take hold, in all of her parts. She felt that distant feeling again.

    ¡°N-no. Please! Don¡¯t hurt me¡­¡± The churning of the stomach, along with the faintness of the mind reappeared.

    ¡°Why not? Don¡¯t you want to help me?¡± The gladiator¡¯s voice shook with pure, vicious, sadism.

    ¡°S-stop¡­ don¡¯t ask-ask me to¡­¡±

    ¡°Come on. Weren¡¯t you supposed to help your team?¡± Vega looked around, her whole team collapsed and was beaten. The fear shattered her smile, as she walked back, quivering.

    ¡°Our teams just got in the way of something beautiful. A duel between two entertainers. That¡¯s all we are to these folk.¡± He stopped, giving the scarecrow a moment to collect herself. It lasted for an instant, nothing longer.

    If you can¡¯t help them, help me win instead!¡± The gladiator rushed forward, with great swiftness, hopping over the battlefield. Vega struggled. Any more insult, anymore conflict, and she felt that she would die on the spot.

    ¡°Why won¡¯t you help me?¡± She needed to reinforce herself, she needed to say something. A truth she didn¡¯t know.

    ¡°Because I¡¯m scared!¡±

    A pillar of water skyrocketed, taking the gladiator out. The arena was silent for a couple of seconds. The voice of the orator broke that despicable quiet.

    ¡°Unbelievable! Team Mega Ultra Chicken has taken first place! Winning the scarecrow a grand total of seventy two thousand gold! Congratulations!¡± The audience ruptured with praise and cheers. Her smile returned, in a softer and more worldly form. It wasn¡¯t the money, the fame, or the work she did.

    All that mattered was a job was finished, and that she helped someone. To help another be happy.

    ¡°Congrats.¡± Kaliba took Vega out of her stupor.

    ¡°Thanks Kaliba, I think ya are my best friend.¡±

    ¡°Thanks.¡± The crow retorted, causing Vega to close her eyes in glee. However, Vega¡¯s attention suddenly turned to the lowering chandelier, as the actress spilled some of the coins down to her. It was overflowing with the treasure of gold on it. Vega immediately picked up the actress.

    ¡°Yay! I won the pretty lady on the chandelier. Now-now what do I do?¡±

    ¡°I don¡¯t know. Usually the people that win these games just grab the gold or kiss me on the cheek.¡± The actress was honest. Vega was surprised.

    ¡°Oh. Ok. Smooch!¡±

 Chapter 10: Selling Time

    Chapter 10: Selling Time

    In the Tripolian empire there is a belief. That sentient mortals, not gods or spirits, could command magic at will. But they haven''t discovered how to do it yet. That boundary is what separated men from master. From saying to knowledge. From Runtaii to Ani.

    His assassins were not as skilled as his commander¡¯s, but they didn¡¯t have their reputation for nothing. In their numerous exploits, he discovered the daughter of Clan Jutalbag was running away with an Oligarch, Clan Yidilaque¡¯s patriarch had been poisoned but hadn¡¯t yet realized it, and that various concubines were stolen from him by the son of Clan Utiamir. With this information he captured the daughter for ransom, cured the patriarch of his ills, and executed the son. Personally.

    He reclined in his war tent, surrounded by more concubines than usual. He was stressed, as entering into the Oligarchy was no easy path. He always had to consider the men he used, what messengers he would send, and what he would do about Ani. He heard whispers from his spies and assassins that Ani was hiding a power yet untapped.

    All that Runtaii knew was that Ani was a sickly but diligent workhorse. His coughs plagued every conversation he had, and he noticed the foul blood he spat out.

    Consumption was an awful plague, but Runtaii on occasion proposed cures and tonics for the diseased commander. On every occasion he refused. Runtaii rose in his throne, staring out at the ongoing battle in the night. He knew Ani was growing thinner, as his armor became larger to compensate for his size, masking his declining health.

    But why did his men tell him in the recent report that Ani was still studying?

    Was it that magic extended his life? How was he showing such ugly symptoms of the disease and yet pressed on? It infuriated him that he had to respect the worn out fossil. A eunuch entered, accompanying one of his harem.

    ¡°What is it? Are the Oligarchs retreating?¡±

    A case of literary theft: this tale is not rightfully on Amazon; if you see it, report the violation.

    ¡°Yes Master Runtaii. We have sustained few deaths and secured the hill.¡± The robe man was gray black, and always stared at the ground, along with the concubine.

    ¡°Good. Round up the men, we march after we recover.¡± The eunuch bowed and exited, as the concubine reclined on the floor.

    Women in Tripolian society were not meant to be seen outside of their respective patriarchs of clan fathers. Eunuchs or other male chaperones had to protect them from themselves.

    Seclusion granted them the safety they needed. Solitude gave the women the prestige and the concealment that was the ideal in their nation. It reminded him of the great solitude from him and his clan. He was a hermit, Runtaii thought.

    He was a royal in a revolting land. He had seen the women of this place. A couple of his men reported women in the Oligarch army. They were everywhere, some even riding horses!

    Runtaii didn¡¯t know whether to feel happy or sad. That the Oligarch¡¯s were so driven to win that they¡¯d send a girl, an irresponsible thing, to do the work of a man. It wouldn¡¯t matter, Runtaii believed. At worst, his conquests had brought enormous wealth and profit to his domain. And securing soon to be obedient slaves always cemented his place as an elite.

    It reminded him of his harem. They were all slaves. Imprisoned by veils and chained by curtains, they competed for his affection. Boredom could mean death, as he would neglect the victims if they did not impress him.

    If he couldn¡¯t impress Ani, he would be doomed to forever live in his shadow. He shot up, equipping his scale mail and stroking his beard. He needed to best him, to show Ani he was worthy to know of his magic.

    ¡°Marshall!¡± A round bronze man entered, kneeling beneath him.

    ¡°Yes Master? Do you wish to go on a hunt?¡±

    ¡°Yes, but for a different animal. I want you to lead the front.¡± The slave marshal was surprised, and raised his head to Runtaii.

    ¡°It would be an honor.¡±

    ¡°Not my personal battalion.¡± A confused look arose on the marshal. ¡°We¡¯re going to split our forces. You will march to Haliovid, while I press forward onto the Yutai Basin.¡±

    ¡°But Master, wouldn¡¯t that leave you unprotected?¡± Runtaii grinned at the thought. That he would perform the act of taking both provinces in quick succession, buying the time his clan needed to prepare for invasion. This would surely grant him the knowledge Ani was so keen on keeping.

    ¡°Yes. Yes it would. Forget recovering, we move tomorrow. Onwards, to the death of the Oligarchy!¡±

 Chapter 11: A Band of Buddies (Part 1!)

    Chapter 11: A Band of Buddies (Part 1!)

    It was a long month, but it had paid off for the Oligarch of Suncatch. As held the celebrations, there was scant notice of his new infrastructure project, right in the heart of the Oligarchy.

    A massive complex, not built for war, but for training. He commanded great loyalty from his legions since they didn¡¯t care to question the structure. As well as his unquieting requests for more and more foreign scholars and doctors. He only had a couple months left before his war season would start, but his progress exceeded that of his timeline.

    Although he always felt bad for the time he lost needlessly. Entertaining plebeian Oligarchs was once such a thing. He scoffed at the idea of a man being granted office just because he earned a million brass a year. Profit isn¡¯t value, value is value, the Oligarch knew.

    Though a previous event did disturb him. He was meant to meet the winners of the first concert, but mysteriously didn¡¯t show up. The Oligarch was told that ¡®the fighters had to stay at the hospital¡¯. Ha, people need to go to the hospital? He brushed all of his injuries from war. It remained especially of a joke his late brother told him. ¡°Citizens are for tools, and politicians are for fools.¡±

    The duality of power. That one holds all the power in their fists, and the other steals it by saying some comforting words. The Oligarch of Suncatch would be different. From him will be born a perfect mixture of practical and philosophical. The sky and earth. The masculine and feminine, into a new and gracious Oligarch. Androgynous and Universal. In his project, he would teach them the most important lesson every Iozian should know. That every victim must believe, and therefore, this truth.

    That tragedy can breed power. That the stereotype of weak victims was false. To make an altruism born from suffering.

    The team remained in the hospital for a month, as each recovered at various pace. Except Vega, who was stitched up by the annoyed doctor.

    ¡°Can¡¯t you stay fixed for at least a day? What did I tell you about putting those trinkets inside of you?¡±

    ¡°Sorry-sorry. By the way, ya haven¡¯t told me how much this costs.¡± The antoid gritted his jaws. He wasn¡¯t even receiving the donations he needed.

    ¡°Whatever.¡±

    ¡°Because Kaliba told me that I¡¯d have to pay at least a thousand gold.¡± He paused, and looked up at Vega.

    ¡°You have gold?¡±

    ¡°Yep. Won it in a tournament. Along with a pretty lady. Want some?¡±

    ¡°Please?¡± The doctor quivered out.

    Vega¡¯s new outfit was complete. Her standard tunic was no more, as it was a proper jacket, with woven scales inside for added protection. Her right arm instead of being wood was a now series of bendable wires covered in a steel sleeve. It was a gift for donating twenty thousand gold to the hospital.

    As she exited, she jumped to her companions. Luiocles was quite bored, but the actress seemed preppy to see Vega.

    ¡°Hey Florato! How much am I paying ya again?¡±

    ¡°Nothing? You don¡¯t pay me.¡± Her voice was bright and cheerful, compared to her previously coy performance.

    ¡°Oh. Want to be hired?¡± Luiocles scoffed, turning away from the girls. He betted against Team Mega in the melee and was down a couple thousand silver. It might take him months to recover his loss, but he had a plan.

    ¡°Hey you two. Are we gonna go to the mailing center or are you gonna waste more time?¡± The friends nodded, and followed him to the building.

    ¡°What do people usually pay ya?¡±

    ¡°Mostly in exposure.

    ¡°Physically?¡± Vega prodded.

    ¡°Yeah! Like how many guys want to see the same girl in a metal bra with spikes? But¡­ generally a few silver per show.¡±

    ¡°They should be paying ya more since ya so pretty and all.¡± Florato recoiled, tensing up at Vega. She blushed the same red as her tattered dress.

    ¡°Are you¡­ coming on to me?¡±

    Vega had no fucking clue what Florato was asking.

    ¡°...How does ten gold per week sound?¡± Vega offered, not hearing and definitely not understanding what Florato said.

    ¡°Good!¡±

    ¡°Nah. Even better.¡± The trio entered into the office, with passing messengers and equestrians. Dark brown wood made the walls and reflective stone made the floor, with each step echoing. A few men were having a conversation over tea. Luiocles stepped to the counter, to a man with purplish eye bags.

    ¡°Hello. I¡¯m Luiocles, I¡¯m here to pick up a package.¡±

    ¡°Code?¡±

    ¡°Metallix.¡± He spoke with clear authority.

    ¡°Check out. Remember kid, you mess this up and the Oligarchs will kill you.¡± He was handed a fist sized obsidian box. He held it to the eyes of Vega.

    ¡°You know about the Yutai Basin? There''s an Oligarch stationed there, he¡¯s a strange, but skilled man. He¡¯ll be in a palace, and all you need to do is get there and say it¡¯s from Graham.¡±

    ¡°Who¡¯s Graham?¡± Florato hissed, knowing that he was trying to pawn off his dirty work to lower class folk.

    ¡°Who cares? Just help me with this and you''ll be golden.¡±

    ¡°Ya had me at help!¡± Vega immediately stuffed it into her chest. Luiocles walked past them, happy that he could get back to work.

    ¡°Thanks¡­ Vega. See you around.¡± He snidely strutted out of the office.

    ¡°You know I could hold that for you Vega.¡± Florato held out her palm, but Vega pushed it away.

    ¡°No thanks. I wouldn¡¯t want to mess with your boobs.¡± Vega repiled, not knowing of the conflict she caused in the actress¡¯s heart.

    ¡°If I had a brass for every time someone said that, I¡¯d have two brass. Which is actually refreshing to hear in this context.¡± Although puzzled, Florato was flattered that someone else cared for her form outside of showing it off.

    ¡°By the way sir-sir, could I send a message?¡±

    ¡°Sure scarecrow. What will it be?¡± The exhausted worker pulled a clipboard off his desk.

    ¡°Need-need to send this to a place.¡±

    ¡°Messages tend to need that, yeah.¡± The worker croaked, with the ends of his lips curling.

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    ¡°Do ya guys have same day delivery?¡±

    ¡°Unfortunately yes.¡±

    ¡°Hmm. Actually, just do normal shipping. I want to send-send some money back home to the village. It¡¯s from Vega.¡± She stood on her toes, looking over the desk.

    ¡°Odd, what¡¯s the amount of money?¡± He queried, holding the belief that she was destitute.

    ¡°About forty thousand gold.¡± All eyes in the room turned to the pair. A bitter jealousy emitted from all except the worker.

    ¡°Feeling bold today are we. What is the place?¡±

    ¡°Calvin.¡±

    ¡°She means Cavern, as in Cold Cavern.¡± Florato corrected. The worker sighed, he was accustomed to customers that needed aid from external parties.

    ¡°Alright. And to whom? Is it a friend, maybe a farmer perhaps?¡±

    ¡°Nah. To a Mayor Dismas.¡± Vega corrected, reliving the memories of the village long ago.

    ¡°Friends in high places. Alright, deposit the money.¡± Vega unzipped her jacket, and with the help of Florato, pulled a chest out of her chest.

    ¡°You can count it. It¡¯s all there. There also might be a bikini, but don¡¯t ask about that.¡± The worker nodded and put the chest on to a cart, and wheeled it out of the room.

    ¡°It¡¯s real nice you¡¯re doing that for your folks Vega. Not too many people would do what you did. Not even me.¡± Florato¡¯s hospitable accent shown whenever referring to herself and the just acts of others.

    ¡°What do ya mean? I didn''t even give them all my money.¡± Vega didn¡¯t understand what the actress was getting at. Florato cheekily smiled and simply rubbed the hair of the scarecrow.

    ¡°Ah. Rubs are nice.¡± This cozy scene was interrupted by some familiar voices. A loud pair of stomping accompanied by a caw was outside the door.

    ¡°Sue me! She had great boobs Lady!¡±

    ¡°Ok! What if I said you had really good looking arms when I¡¯m next to you for a month straight?¡± Lai bashed open the door.

    ¡°Good? Look, a compliment is sweet, an unwanted advance is creepy.¡± Chakrit shot right back, ready to oppose his partner.

    ¡°Your face is a compliment!¡±

    ¡°That doesn¡¯t make any sense!¡± Both of the bandits stopped in their tracks, seeing the actress and scarecrow. Kaliba and the hawk stared at each, ready to duel.

    ¡°If you don¡¯t mind me interjecting, maybe you should listen to a girl¡¯s thoughts before you speak about them.¡± Florato offered.

    ¡°Whatever. I was just saying you were pretty.¡± Chakrit bowed his head away from her gaze.

    ¡°Yeah sure. But what are you two doing here?¡±

    ¡°Collecting our prize money? The one we fought for.¡± Lai held out her hand, beckoning for her reward. The actress bit her lip, and furrowed her brow.

    ¡°No worries Florato. After all-all, sharing is caring.¡± Vega handed a purse she was carrying, as the two bandits peered into it.

    ¡°You know, getting our asses kicked for a couple thousand wasn¡¯t a bad decision, Lady. Good on you.¡± Chakrit chuckled now, putting the gold into his pack.

    ¡°You two have a good day now. By the way, your buddies are just about done recovering. Except Skaldi, how sad.¡± Lai smiled, and the duo left the office, as the hawk screeched at Kaliba.

    ¡°Idiot.¡±

    ¡°You really are a simple soul.¡± Florato admitted.

    ¡°What was-was that?¡±

    ¡°Nothing. Let¡¯s go see everyone. They must be dying to have something else to eat anything besides nutrient juice and organs.¡± Vega nodded, and they went back outside in the city. It was calm, fewer vehicles now on the streets. Snow started to fall a month back, giving the city a white blanket over its districts. Bugmen wore heavy clothes and kept lamps nearby, werefolk went into their animal forms, and all around took the tradition of wearing earmuffs. The sky was a cold azure, with the distant clouds heaved tons of snow across the land.

    ¡°Ya know, I haven¡¯t seen snow before.¡± Vega admitted.

    ¡°Really?¡±

    ¡°Yep, while I¡¯m from Calvin, it was mostly ice and rain we saw there.¡± She held out her hand, catching a thin snowflake.

    ¡°Never been to the tundra. I¡¯m a tribal myself, all I ever got to see was the steppe.¡± Florato said with pride in her step.

    Vega grabbed Kaliba off her shoulder and stroked the crow. She allowed a silence to take hold, as she prepared a question for the actress.

    ¡°Do¡­ do ya know a Kaliber?¡±

    ¡°Kaliber? No¡­but that does sound oddly familiar.¡± Florato put two fingers to her lips and tapped repeatedly. ¡°Is it a name? Not for your pet I mean.¡±

    ¡°I think Kaliber means something. Something to the voice.¡± Vega¡¯s smiled lowered and her eyes wobbled, staying open.

    ¡°Sorry Vega. I just don¡¯t know too much about the world.¡± Florato placed a hand on the back of the scarecrow, comforting Vega¡¯s disturbance.

    ¡°It¡¯s alright. I¡¯m confused about it. The voice told me it, but it wasn¡¯t like any other person I heard.¡±

    ¡°Well, I don¡¯t know much about voices coming from across Iozia. But I do know alot about making voices. Maybe we can visit the acting school I went to. You¡¯ve been to school, right?¡± Florato asked.

    ¡°A temple. But I learned a lot. Have ya heard of Recor and how he loves you?¡± Another one of Vega¡¯s practiced responses.

    ¡°One too many times. It''s funny really, a scarecrow knowing how to read. Ain¡¯t that a bit odd?¡±

    ¡°Odder-than bug dudes and people with long ears?¡±

    ¡°...fair enough.¡±

    Skaldi woke up, in his bandages and bedsheet. He saw Bolato was already awake and reading a comic.

    ¡°You alright hubby?¡±

    ¡°Yeah sure. It¡¯s just that those Falconers aren¡¯t here. Maybe they went to get breakfast.¡± Bolato searched around.

    ¡°Have you seen the scarecrow? With the amount of money she¡¯s got we might not need to do the bank job.¡± Skaldi imagined an island for himself, maybe a manor or two. Supplied by the many luxuries their team bought. Valiato walked in from the adjacent hallway, dragging her toy pony beside her.

    ¡°Hey Ska. Are you feeling better?¡± Skaldi¡¯s body had healed most of its bruises, but there still remained a couple on his arm.

    ¡°Yes sweetpea. How are you, is Vega still telling you those stories?¡± Valiato, still groggy, raised a soft smile. Amir rose from his bed, and walked over to the tea pot boiling.

    ¡°Hope she hasn¡¯t gone and spent it all. I appreciate the tea, but¡­¡± Bolato took out his pipe, and displayed his lack of tobacco.

    ¡°Guess you gotta go cold turkey huh hubby?¡±

    ¡°You¡¯re lucky wine is so cheap in this place. But a cup of tea should do the trick.¡± Bolato pulled up a table and set the chairs, as Amir poured a cup for each member. They sat together, with Skalid being the slowest to take a drink.

    ¡°Do we even need to be criminals anymore? With our winnings, we can lay back till the end of time!¡± Skaldi proclaimed, staring at the steam rising from his tea.

    ¡°Sweetie, it¡¯s not just about us and the money. It¡¯s about the community. Wasn¡¯t it five years ago you said you wanted to go back home? You seemed pretty keen to help the Galtians back then.¡± Skaldi didn¡¯t appreciate the memory, and shot his eyes to the side.

    ¡°Yeah, but we don¡¯t have to go do the job now. Let¡¯s¡­ give Valiato some classes.¡± He nudged the pint sized slinger. She was too cozy to protest.

    ¡°Maybe. But we should wait for-¡±

    ¡°Hey guys! Want to go shopping? And also how are you I guess.¡± Florato roared out, with Vega just behind her.

    ¡°...them.¡± Bolato muttered.

    ¡°Ah! That¡¯s an idea. We could do with some new gear. My dress has been sticking to me recently.¡± Skaldi massaged his winter outfit.

    ¡°And I can get some toys.¡± Valiato¡¯s attention was caught, as she gulped down the rest of her tea and walked to the pair.

    ¡°~Whatever you guys are planning, it must be fun.~¡± Amir hopped up, shifting his head to the couple to move. They got up, and the party went on a shopping spree.

    Florato quickly purchased a set of robes durable enough to last any weather. She was happy that she could afford clothes outside of the costumes she had to rely on. Florato appeared not privy to the group¡¯s operations. She only bought necessities, games, and a box for all of her acting tools.

    Amir and Valiato spent their time at the armory, with Valiato translating every small detail Amir declared. Forging bronze sets was cheap but weaker to the average guards equipment, and steel was reserved to notable figures and soldiers. They settled on iron, commissioning two pairs of black dresses, with segmented plates and padding on the inside. Amir had a liking for the Sanguian style of armor, while Valiato chose a Matigas Natao set, along with a few of their emblems.

    Bolato had a simple taste. He got a turquoise linen gambeson, and added more belt ornaments. And he commissioned plates of cobalt steel attached to his shoulder.

    Skaldi quickly purchased a used helmet that could fit his ears, and as well as an old iron chest plate. During his stay he had started collecting a series of herbs and recipes from the patients that went to the hospital. So he organized a list for pans and ingredients.

    Vega waited throughout the week as the team slowly got their armor sets. Normally it takes a month to forge the equipment, but with the improvements made as well as their amount of coins, they got it in quick time. As Vega stared outside of the hospital window, she saw the distant road ahead.

    ¡°I can-can hear ya. I know ya need me to help ya.¡± The call was starting to drill harder into her head. She felt the voice¡¯s pain. It¡¯s demand. It¡¯s command.

    ¡°Kaliba. Do ya think they¡­ they will help me?¡± Kaliba shifted its head, and hopped onto her metal hand.

    ¡°Yes-yes.¡±

    ¡°Ya sure?¡± The bird nuzzled into Vega, making her giggle.

    ¡°I guess ya are right. But I¡¯m gonna need something to get there. Maybe a-¡±

    ¡°Cart? Why do you want to buy that?¡± Skaldi interrogated, confused by the scarecrow¡¯s request.

    ¡°I need-need to deliver something to an Oligarch up north-north.¡± Skaldi turned to Bolato, pleading to him that they should stay. He responded by crossing his arms and lowering his eyes.

    ¡°Fine! We only have over ten thousand gold left, it''s not like I wanted to spend it while we¡¯re in the city.¡± Skaldi hissed to himself. Bolato took care of the purchase, securing a pair of war centuries and a study wagon for a thousand. With the additional supplies needed to make the trip, the team was down to five thousand, not including Vega¡¯s own purse, but Florato wasn¡¯t going to make that known.

    ¡°Ah, on the road again. What kind of gigs are you guys planning? I heard that there''s gonna be one of those old Kai Ren plays happening up north. I could be the big bad barbarian and you Bolato could be the good guy!¡± Florato only imagined the team as a troupe of entertainers.

    ¡°Yeah sure.¡± Bolato said, as he drove out of Core Civitus and onwards to the Yutai Basin.

 Chapter 11: A Band of Buddies (Part 2!)

    Chapter 11: A Band of Buddies (Part 2!)

    Vega looked at her map, knowing they had just passed through the border of Suncatch. The sky was turning to midnight, as the frozen tundra melted into a frozen jungle. The trees covered the wagon in shadow. Vega couldn¡¯t see her companions resting. Only Florato and Amir were awake, he was taking the shift of driving through the vine riddled road. She heard their conversation, a simple one.

    ¡°~How are you?~¡± Florato had sparse knowledge of the Tripolian language, and was careful to sound out the tones to Amir, who guided her to the correct way to pronounce it.

    ¡°~Good Florato. Why aren¡¯t you sleeping?~¡±

    ¡°~Wonder. Where are we going, specifically?~¡± Florato pressed, as Amir didn¡¯t know how to deliver the unpleasant news. Periatus was not a place you go to play choice nowadays, it was more of an unfortunate necessity. Being one of oldest provinces, it sported the most developed road networks despite its half of it being jungle. Ice formed on the trees, with them only surviving on the heat producing breaker fruit, a reminder that life can survive in such bizarre places.

    ¡°~Old place, not easy~.¡± Amir broke down the truth into less uncomforting pieces, which Florato understood. She nodded and hopped backward. She put on her blanket and tried to go to sleep. Vega silently moved over, and unconsciously started to stroke the actress¡¯s head. It aided her into a soothing sleep.

    ¡°Rest-rest easy.¡± The scarecrow saw the cold wilderness around her and couldn¡¯t help but to understand its soft melody. The croaks of the animals resemble hushed voices, the cracking of ice to the movement of people. How every frost covered leaf shake sounded like the giggle of a child.

    ¡°This is wonderful. How could such a terrible place could-could make such a beautiful song.¡± Vega¡¯s knack for tempo struck hard, in this place so far from others. She was its lone listener. She was alone, together with it. Amir, in an unassuming manner, placed a hand on his daughter¡¯s brow, brushing it

    Brist.

    Vega¡¯s eyes went hollow, as did all of her senses. It was happening again. Wraith like in her movement, she unraveled her pack. Like how a skilled surgeon would, she laid out her tools of truth. The paper and pencil. Throughout this frigid night, she would place those damned feelings into clear and believable form. One such feeling was what the voice said.

    Failure.

    The redhead awoke to the sound of Valiato playing with Vega. They seemed to be playing dice and acting out their selected toy¡¯s reaction. Amir was sleeping so he couldn¡¯t lecture the two. Bolato was still cuddling him so who was driving.

    ¡°Oh my god the guy in front of us is fucking dead at the wheel. It¡¯s actually not that hard to drive.¡± It was the actress, with her voice shaking in bitter annoyance.

    ¡°Fucking move fat ass bitch!¡±

    ¡°You okay?¡± Skaldi called out. Florato spun around surprised, and mildly embarrassed.

    ¡°Oh shit! Sorry, did I wake you up?¡±

    ¡°No, but please. No curse words in front of the kids.¡± Skaldi demanded as he sat beside her.

    ¡°I know it might be new to you lady, but it¡¯s called driving.¡± Florato¡¯s annoyance returned.

    ¡°I know how to drive! It¡¯s just this guy doesn¡¯t.¡± She gestured her hand to the cart ahead of her, which was piloted by an old man. He didn¡¯t turn around at any of her insults.

    ¡°If you do need to curse, ass is the only option available. Aside than bitch. But you¡¯re only allotted five of them per month.¡±

    ¡°You''re kidding.¡± Florato nudged her shoulder into Skaldi.

    ¡°Would I? Or more specifically, would Amir?¡± Florato darted her eyes to the snoring Tripol man.

    ¡°I can believe that. But I can¡¯t believe this scum won¡¯t hurry up!¡± Her voice caught the attention of the old man, as he turned to the driver.

    ¡°Hey! Can you be quiet? Some people are trying to drive in peace?¡± The man yelled back.

    ¡°Well some people are trying to get up north before they¡¯re an ancient artifact! Move out of the way a little!¡± The old man scoffed and turned his cart to the right. As the wagon passed by, Florato flipped off the old driver, much to the amusement of the elf.

    ¡°You have some fire girl.¡± Skaldi complemented.

    ¡°I suppose we tribals aren¡¯t too different. When it comes to the Oligarchy, having some passion and ambition is what gets you places. Especially on time.¡± Skaldi snickered, as shifted in his seat to see the pals playing.

    ¡°Want to play Ska? Vega taught me a game, it¡¯s called gambling.¡±

    ¡°It''s fun-fun, and educational!¡± Vega tossed the three dice, managing to get three sixes.

    ¡°I stole the pot!¡± She grabbed the toy pot and put her doll beside it. Valiato¡¯s toy horse seemed sad, now going through profound grief.

    ¡°If you steal the pot in Jukinas, then you just get beat up.¡± Florato chuckled out.

    ¡°Oh. You¡¯re from the Jukikos tribe, huh?¡± Skaldi questioned.

    ¡°Yeah. Born and raised there some twenty four years ago or so. I¡¯m not loaded with cash so¡­¡±

    ¡°I could tell by the dress you were wearing back in the city. But, how is it like there?¡± Skaldi was curious, it was the first time he met another tribal outside of heists and work.

    ¡°It¡¯s pretty good. Shining lights, sweeping and flowing paths. I haven¡¯t been in a couple of years, but I heard that the river boat there has gotten an upgrade.¡± Florato spoke with great pride.

    ¡°You know¡­ we were going to go there after the gig with the scarecrow.¡± Skaldi was attempting to approach the topic of criminality.

    ¡°The heist with the Lai bank? Yeah I know.¡± Skaldi was stunned, and he turned to Vega in an angered sneer.

    ¡°It was actually the kid who told me.¡±

    ¡°Sweetpea?¡± Skaldi asked.

    ¡°What? She¡¯s a good person.¡± Valiato responded, throwing her dice as she did.

    ¡°That¡¯s the problem.¡±

    ¡°Calm down. If I was going to turn you in, I would have. Plus, I¡¯m kind of interested to see where this goes.¡±

    ¡°Also I¡¯m paying her.¡±

    ¡°Also she¡¯s paying me.¡± The actress admitted, as Skaldi reclined back to her. She smiled, showing her full acceptance of their life.

    ¡°Well, we were thinking of doing a heist on the river boat so¡­¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m not here for the heist. I¡¯m here because Vega is paying me the wage I have been waiting for. After a couple months, I could maybe go back to school.¡± Skaldi¡¯s eyes brightened. Education was a pursuit he had long forgotten.

    ¡°Speaking of that, how much does it cost to go? I know there¡¯s tutors, but what about those writing colleges or something?¡±

    ¡°I wouldn¡¯t know. I was lucky enough that my family grew up poor around Sanguians. The college I went to wasn¡¯t too expensive, but it didn¡¯t teach me how to read. There was a pretty cool course on Tripolian, so that was fun. Why do you ask, thinking of becoming a learned criminal or something?¡± Florato joked.

    ¡°Maybe. You know, none of us know how to read aside than Amir and the kid? Besides Tripolian, which isn¡¯t exactly a popular language here, we have scant knowledge about text.¡±

    ¡°What about those comics you have?¡± Florato asked.

    ¡°Bolato can sorta read them, but he just does it for the funny pictures.¡± Skaldi explained, with the actress clicking her tongue in understanding.

    ¡°But yeah. Maybe going to a school sounds like something neat. If they even accept me.¡± Skaldi hunched down as he spoke. Just then Florato¡¯s face softened.

    ¡°Don¡¯t worry. While not all places, there are plenty of colleges that accept outsiders.¡± The actress said. Skaldi looked down, reflecting on himself.

    ¡°What do you think about ghosts?¡± The elf questioned. Florato recoiled, nervous and puzzled.. She took some time to consider how to respond.

    ¡°I suppose¡­ I wouldn¡¯t know about them. Maybe they¡¯re good and all. Maybe they¡¯re just people. I may not understand their experience, but I can try.¡± Skaldi took a glance at Valiato, and her gloves.

    ¡°You already know right?¡±

    ¡°It¡¯s a shame that kid. Here¡¯s hoping your jobs go alright.¡± Skaldi appreciated her not selling a lie. Florato leaned backward, comfortable again. The next couple of hours were filled with the beating sounds of the jungle. It was becoming less dense but the ice petrified on the trunks of the trees made it hard to tell. The sun glowed through them, casting vibrant shades down. Skaldi had been thinking on family, and he still took glances at the team. The only one awake aside from the actress was the scarecrow.

    If you come across this story on Amazon, it''s taken without permission from the author. Report it.

    ¡°Your family knows you¡¯re okay?¡±

    ¡°You know I kind of had forgotten them for a bit. But yeah, they¡¯re doing fine. My brother came back from the war two years ago, got himself a nice plot of land. How''s your kin doing?¡±

    ¡°Not too nice, can¡¯t lie. Galtians were subjugated pretty hard. Haven¡¯t been there since the last decade.¡± Skaldi said, with a weight in his heart.

    ¡°Money problems?¡± Florato blurted out. Skaldi nodded, not waiting to reveal his insecurity.

    ¡°I understand. We can go visit them if you want. It might not be happiness, but money is a close second.¡±

    ¡°Ain¡¯t that the truth. But not now, after we get the job done.¡± Skaldi smiled, he enjoyed the presence of another coin-colored mind, not a coin colored persona.

    ¡°Are-are we there-there yet?¡±

    ¡°No Vega. Speaking of that, where are we?¡± Vega handed over the map as Florato analyzed its route. Skaldi¡¯s face was of unresponsive shock.

    ¡°Wait, the scarecrow had that? Can you read?¡± Skaldi asked angrily.

    ¡°Yep-yep!¡± Vega bounced up.

    ¡°Can you read this out then? I know our direction but not the name.¡± Florato pointed to the center of it. Vega leaned between the two, and squinted.

    ¡°Gotcha. Ya are going to Periatus.¡± Vega read it, like it wasn¡¯t anything to be worried about. Florato¡¯s face was also of unresponsive shock.

    ¡°Oh. We¡¯re going into Periatus. Well, in for a brass, out with all of the money that I earned.¡±

    ¡°Don¡¯t worry girly, we¡¯ll be out of here within the week.¡± Skaldi tried to calm the actress, laying a hand on her caramel skin.

    ¡°I hope you¡¯re right. I have never been here!¡± She threw up her hands.

    ¡°I get it. Me and my hubby stayed in the lower part of the Oligarch for years. If a tiny elf and a deserter can make it you can too.¡± Florato¡¯s face cooled as she turned to him.

    ¡°You really think that?¡±

    ¡°No!¡± Skaldi fell backward laughing. Florato stared at him, she was glad that he was having fun over her fear. She was comforted that someone was savoring the thought, which aided her in calming down.

    ¡°You are a bastard.¡± She cheekily spoke.

    ¡°Well, I try to be.¡±

    ¡°Can I try-try?¡± Florato snickered, she enjoyed the contrast between them. Vega the happy go lucky construct, versus Skaldi the sour yet charming elf. Their dynamic kept things interesting as morning turned to day, where Bolato took over again. Everyone was awake now Skaldi and Amir had started to cook. The girls were passing time by studying while Vega doodled on the notebook she bought.

    The jungle cleared out to a series of towering plateaus covered in overgrowth. The ice finally became thinner as more natural heating plants lived in these parts.

    ¡°~What are you making Ari?~¡± Amir, with a heavy heart, relinquished an unfortunate truth.

    ¡°~...red meat with whatever the boy is adding~.¡± Valiato beamed, and eagerly speeded up through her studies. Florato struggled but was encouraged by the kid¡¯s excitement. A thin warmth took the crew as smoke rose inside the wagon.

    ¡°Hey Bolato?¡±

    ¡°Yeah sweetie?¡±

    ¡°Do you see any towns on that map?¡± Bolato held it up and was confused for a moment.

    ¡°Yeah, we¡¯ll get a trade center within the day. But it¡¯s hard to tell. Someone must have been drunk when writing this.¡± He turned to see Skaldi on his second cup of wine.

    ¡°It wasn¡¯t me!¡± Skaldi blurted out, as Bolato sighed and turned back.

    ¡°Who the hell misspells Vortorus?¡± The soldier whispered to himself.

    ¡°But yeah, with the pace we¡¯re going, we shouldn¡¯t be here for too long.¡± The cooking was done in a stone part of the wagon, with Skaldi applying the steak on a pan full of butter and seasoning.

    ¡°If there''s one good thing about being here, it''s that the jungle has some neat plants.¡± He diced breaker fruit, as its slushy cubed flesh poured out. Amir added the fruit into a whisking bowl and added two eggs.

    ¡°~If there¡¯s one good thing about being here, it¡¯s that the Oligarchy knows its fruit.~¡± He mixed the two, creating a carrot colored liquid. Amir placed radish slices into it and laid it on the table Vega was drawing on.

    ¡°No thanks. I¡¯m a vegetable.¡±

    ¡°You mean you¡¯re made of vegetables right?¡± Florato raised an eyebrow.

    ¡°Technically, wheat is a cereal. And wheat makes fodder. So technically Vega is animal food.¡± Valiato corrected both of them, who then went on to correct their thoughts.

    ¡°Does-does that mean ya can eat me for breakfast?¡± Valiato laughed at what was clearly a joke. Vega was left unanswered. But quickly forgot about it. Kaliba flew over to pair cooking, and started to peck at the redhead.

    ¡°Scarecrow, your pet is being mean to me.¡±

    ¡°Kaliba, what do ya say?¡± The bird scoffed and hopped back to his owner''s feet.

    ¡°Help?¡±

    ¡°Ah. They need help.¡± She stood up and walked over, as Skaldi tried not to show his annoyance.

    ¡°Ya guys need help?¡± Skaldi tried to ignore her, but Amir passed her Skaldi¡¯s fourth cup of wine and motioned her to toss it.

    ¡°Gotcha.¡± Vega threw the contents out to the street. Skaldi rose up and shoved the scarecrow.

    ¡°What are you doing?¡±

    ¡°Helping ya. Helping the big guy to-to be specific.¡± Skaldi sneered at the Tripol, who was clearly enjoying his angered mood.

    ¡°Whatever. Ask me to do something nice and this is how you repay me.¡± Skaldi muttered to himself as he sat down beside Bolato. Amir waved Vega over. He handed over the spatula, and showed her how to flip the meat.

    ¡°Mmh. Meat.¡± Vega knew of the significance of meat. That it was a rarity, even to the rich men of the village and the bandits who stole animals. She started to flip, and seemed to learn it very well. Amir didn¡¯t notice.

    ¡°Mmh. Meat.¡± She was enjoying watching the meat bubble and sizzle. Amir didn¡¯t notice.

    ¡°Mmh. Meat.¡± Amir didn¡¯t notice, until he noticed his hand was now on Vega¡¯s head. Vega was holding onto his arm and making the motion to caress her hair.

    ¡°What were ya saying?¡± Amir didn¡¯t say anything. But he also didn¡¯t bother to correct her. Her antics were to be tolerated, and the benefit she brought balanced her more neurotic behavior, Amir thought.

    ¡°Are you guys done?¡±

    ¡°Almost Bola-Bolato!¡± Bolato smiled at the sour stench, and his stomach rumbled.

    ¡°Hey Bolato!¡±

    ¡°Yeah Vega?¡±

    ¡°Amir is touching me!¡± Vega¡¯s excited voice did not help the odd statement. He turned to see that Vega was now sitting on the lap of the Tripol, still guiding his hand to rubbing her head. Amir looked displeased, but didn¡¯t want to disturb her.

    ¡°Hey kid? Can you ask if Amir gives consent?¡±

    ¡°~Ari Amir, do you give consent to Vega?~¡± Valiato asked.

    ¡°~I consent.~¡±

    ¡°He gives consent.¡± Valiato translated, with Bolato happy with the result. After half an hour of cooking, Amir rang the bell. The crew found a patch of unfrozen ground and set up their tables. Each member got a fat slice of steak, caked in oil and cooked to medium rare. Their sides had onion with rice and a breaker egg sauce. All of them started to enjoy their meal.

    Except two, Vega and Skaldi. Skaldi¡¯s tolerance for her started to wane, as she is the one that had to take them on this big trip. He wasn¡¯t having it with confronting passing through these parts on her terms.

    Vega gazed at Skaldi¡¯s silent angry face. She didn¡¯t know what he was feeling, aside from barely touching the food.

    ¡°Are ya-ya gonna eat that?¡±

    ¡°Yes, scarecrow. Let me ask you. What does your name mean?¡± Vega scrubbed her banadage and looked to the sky.

    ¡°Don¡¯t know. Something about valleys or plains.¡± Her stupidity angered him. How was she doing so well, driving the team, and had earned so much despite being such an idiot?

    ¡°Want to know what my name means?¡±

    ¡°Not really? Will it help-help me to help-help ya?¡±

    ¡°Maybe. Skaldi means ¡®striker heart¡¯, think of it as those love spirits.¡± Vega smiled and glowed as she leaned forward.

    ¡°Ya know spirits?! Tell me!¡± Yet her enthusiasm over knowledge conflicted with his own. Vega was kind of like a teenager, obsessive and compulsive. Cute, but in a manner that was irritating otherwise. This was a belief of Vega that Skaldi held.

    ¡°Another time scarecrow, another time later.¡±

    ¡°What are you two talking about?¡± Bolato burped out.

    ¡°Just asking if he-he gonna eat his food. Did ya guys feed the pets?¡± Bolato tossed the remaining steak he had for centuries, who ate the pieces in one bite.

    ¡°Here Kaliba, have some of the sauce.¡± She picked up the radish and held it to the bird¡¯s beak. It chomped down, and coughed.

    ¡°Guess ya don¡¯t like spicy stuff.¡±

    ¡°That¡¯s what she said!¡± Skaldi blurted out, as Florato rolled her eyes as the elf.

    After twenty minutes, they continued on the road, as the actress took over again. Along with her loud mouthed complaints.

    ¡°Screw you, you stupid bimbo bitch!¡±

    ¡°That''s three now.¡± Bolato shot back, as the men started to play cards. Valiato dozed off in Vega¡¯s lap.

    ¡°She¡¯s not even awake! Just like this fucking driver, fucking move!¡± She screeched out, as the wagon in front of her still didn¡¯t move, along with the driver.

    ¡°Don¡¯t make me come back there, I¡¯m about to get a pair.¡± Bolato placed down his cards. A few moments of silence were allowed, before Florato¡¯s curses came back.

    ¡°Does the fucker not have ears or something?¡±

    ¡°You know, if I wanted to have this much complaining, I would have dated a woman.¡± Skaldi chuckled. Florato and Bolato were not amused.

    ¡°Skaldi, why are you so upset that we¡¯re on this trip?¡± Bolato didn¡¯t look up from his cards as he spoke. Skaldi did.

    ¡°What? I¡¯m not upset¡­¡±

    ¡°You¡¯ve been upset ever since we left, so get it out in the open before you explode again.¡±

    ¡°There¡¯s nothing to worry about.¡± Bolato took a glance at the redhead, and laid down his cards, and sat by the upset driver. Skaldi cast his eyes down, as Amir laughed at the event.

    ¡°Shut up¡­ I just¡­ I don''t want to think about anything right now.¡± Skaldi grabbed his flask and started to chug. Bolato looked at the same slow pace wagon, with the unmoving driver.

    ¡°He came up on the road an hour ago, right?¡±

    ¡°Yes! The guy in front of us is fucking dead at the wheel!¡± The supposed driver slumped over and fell off the wagon. Everyone stopped to see the body, with an arrow in it, along with a thin paper wrapped on it.

    ¡°Oh my god he is dead at the wheel.¡± Florato was horrified.

    ¡°That¡¯s the idea.¡± Bolato was honest. The actress collapsed instantly.

 Chapter 12: Heartbreaker Haze (Part 1!)

    Chapter 12: Heartbreaker Haze (Part 1!)

    This is the truth, when people are separated from expectations, they are doomed. What is an order without the expectation that it will be completed? A feeble plea. Beings nowadays are getting more separated from law and rules, societies and governments¡¯ means to enforce expectations.

    Once these suppose powerful systems and now showing their fragility. When a culture has long used these requirements of how to act, when they start to shift slightly, panic strikes. Men and women swap places, the snow becomes fire, and there grows identities non conforming.

    Not that this is a bad thing mind you, I had personally benefited from being relinquished from these assumptions. These beliefs that certain things must be so. But when it comes to the decency of the average person, that is where distress starts. If you don¡¯t follow this very necessary truth, that seldom kindness breeds collective happiness, doom approaches.

    But that is the problem with the Oligarchy and its peoples. When does belief start and truth begin? Rather, where does the cultures¡¯ conditioning end and the person start? It¡¯s okay if you can¡¯t answer this, you don¡¯t need to right now.

    For a person of my measure, the answer is that it starts at the hands!

    Bolato knelt down to the corpse, seeing its brown stains. He wasn¡¯t unfamiliar with bodies and knew that over time blood would dry into brown. What caught him off guard was the arrow used. A diamond shaped head, along with fletched feathers with a bird that he didn¡¯t know of.

    ¡°Poor bastard. Must have passed some days ago.¡± He was dressed in fine leather, and he seemed to still have valuable rings on him.

    ¡°What do you think happened?¡± Skaldi pressed, as he surveyed the landscape for any persons.

    ¡°It definitely wasn¡¯t for robbing him. But still, this isn¡¯t an Iozian arrow.¡± Bolato brushed his thumb against it. It was a tough feather, maybe of a desert hawk. Amir sat beside the soldier and started to flip through his lengthy journal. He stopped at a passage, and showed a drawing of an exact copy of the arrow.

    ¡°That¡¯s not good. That¡¯s a damn Tripol one.¡± Bolato was brought by heavy discomfort.

    ¡°Does that mean they¡¯re invading? Here?¡± Skaldi was frantic, unaided by his drinking.

    ¡°Maybe. But then again, those Tripolian archers aren¡¯t so sloppy.¡± He pointed at the arrow, in its singularity.

    ¡°They have plenty of archers on their side. Hell, some of them can shoot three bullets within ten seconds. But that¡¯s the problem. If we¡¯re in bandit country, that means someone¡¯s giving them supplies.¡± Skaldi was only calmed slightly, his mind rampant and terrorized.

    ¡°That''s not good. That¡¯s why Periatus is the way it is. But still, how are we going to get through?¡± While Bolato¡¯s consoling happened, the scarecrow was quiet. Quietly digging a grave for the victim.

    She wasn¡¯t unknown to death, she worked with the Priest to dig graves for the fallen. But that was usually it for her. No funeral service, no knowing of the emptiness that death causes. Just a pickaxe and a hole to be made. Work to be done.

    ¡°Calm down Skaldi. No one¡¯s gonna get hurt. We are many and whoever those bandits are, they are few. And remember, we¡¯re going to get out of this alright. You got that sweetheart?¡± Skaldi wiped a tear from his eyes and nodded. He lost his fear but was replaced by the insecurity that fear causes.

    ¡°Would ya guys like to say something?¡± Vega¡¯s erratic voice shook that insecurity tenfold. The victim was gone, and she was holding the arrow.

    ¡°It would be mean-mean not to say something to Recor.¡± Her request for a funeral broke the tension of the situation. Each person felt reprieve, that even in moments like this, Vega was still as joyful as ever.

    ¡°~Valiato. Remember this, grief is but the appreciation of lost happiness.~¡± The small girl felt shocked at the sight, but was eased by his words. That her feelings were okay to have, Valiato knew.

    ¡°~Yes Ari Amir.~¡± Bolato stepped first and whispered a prayer for the man. It was fast and respectful. Skaldi¡¯s was less graceful, brought on by Vega¡¯s act. How could he focus on himself while there was a body on the street? He stumbled through his words and was clear that he was more in his own head. The remaining two laid their palms on the soil, creating three lines and a circle.

    Vega enjoyed this. It had been a long time since she helped someone that died. But something felt off. Like the soil was incorrect, or the ice around her was not right. Her thought went to the Priest, and how he would perform service.

    ¡°Dear dead guy, we wish ya have a nice after-afterlife. Ya may have been a stranger, but ya must have been awesome to the people around ya. Thanks, from Vega.¡± She closed her eyes as she performed the wonderful service, leaving Bolato in a confused trance.

    ¡°Hey, should I pick up the pretty lady or ya do it?¡± Bolato shook his head. Vega handed off the arrow and without conflict, picked up the unconscious Florato.

    ¡°We will get out of here within the week.¡± Bolato ordered. He piloted the wagon out of their way, and released the horses on it. Skaldi raised his hand to the victim¡¯s wagon, hoping for good contents, but ultimately put it down as he got onto the wagon.

    ¡°Let¡¯s just get out of here.¡± The elf called out, as Bolato drove their wagon again. The next few hours were somber and absent of their banter and bickering. The howling of the jungle frost was the only conversation held. No matter how hard the snow and wind hit, none of them shivered.

    Vega was surprisingly not talkative. Not out of respect for the dead mind you, but because she thought Florato was sleeping.

    Babysitting was one of the tasks she only did once. After being reprimanded for asking if the baby needed help throughout the event, the parents kicked her out. Again, not for a lack of respect. In fact, she followed the orders of the infant, that being asking for their mother. Vega was stalking the woman throughout the day.

    She thought Florato at that moment, a baby. A very pretty and big baby. This prompted her another thought. Whenever roaming in the middle of the night, she would hear these bizarre sounds. Not of the church chants, or the rhythm of whatever plant she passed by that day. She heard a voice singing a song.

    It had come from the inside of the house, and she had peered inside it. It was an old woman, singing a lullaby to her granddaughter. Most Iozians don¡¯t live past fifty, so seeing a gray haired woman was a rarity. Her voice was shaky and soft like the flakes of leaves.

    But it carried the strength of a people. It blended the waves of the oceans, creating the cheers of a crowd. And the crunching of brick and mortar, the tongue striking the roof of the mouth. It was a mixing of natural and artificial beauty.

    Her hands were slender and wooden, her face wrinkled like melted candle wax. Not traditionally charming, but it was attractive. Like how a father is to their child, or a tree to a climber. It calls out to them. The lullaby was a sweet thing.

    ¡°Rest my seed. Rest with great speed, my bounty. Sleep like the reeds do, over in the next-next county.¡± Her voice cleared, and was far more composed. It caught Amir off guard.

    ¡°Rest my love. Rest like-like the stars above, far away my love. Sleep with calm and graze, and with my warm embrace.¡± Valiato felt healthier, not as cold and shocked as she was before. Amir wasn¡¯t amused.

    ¡°Wear your cap and put on your gloves, because the night is right, and is full of my love. My love is true like the stars above. Now go-go to sleep my love.¡± Vega slowed at the end of the lullaby, savoring every word of it to the last. No one acknowledged it except Valiato, who smiled at the construct.

    The day was turning to evening, with the enchanting light of the sun being converted by the moon. The jungle turned into a forest, but the vines remained ever present. The wagon was nearing the top of a hill , just as a break of snow formed.

    The land was spread apart like butter on bread, and dipped low into the earth. A town resembling a still beating heart pumped and survived beside the lake. The lake formed veins around the town, making red rivers to travel through. Underwater breaker plants heated the pool, as their glow turned its blood vessel red. Smoke from its chimneys faded into the sky, and the streets became whiter each step away from the buildings. Boiling bubbles on the lake popped, along with jumping fish, as a sign of a warm body.

    The wagon crawled into the town, the only people outside the soldiers. A slender blanked woman approached.

    ¡°Who are you, and what are you here for?¡± She yelled, as the snow howled along with her.

    ¡°People trying to pass through! We¡¯re actors!¡± Bolato chuckled out, half of the laugh caused by the frost and the only by exhaustion.

    ¡°Aren¡¯t we all! I know you aren¡¯t bandits, but we do need to do some tax!¡± Bolato nodded, handing the soldiers a few packs of food, along with gold. The woman soldier scanned the wagon seeing an elf and a Tripol inside. She held her disapproval to herself. Checking the packs, she glowed.

    ¡°Don¡¯t let the bandits know you have this. We got a place you all can hold up.¡± She led the wagon to an apartment sized building. The team got off, as Bolato unhitched the centuries and placed them in a stone barn nearby. As Vega was carrying the actress, another soldier approached.

    Stolen from Royal Road, this story should be reported if encountered on Amazon.

    ¡°What are you doing with that girl, construct?¡±

    ¡°I won her in a concert!¡± Then she promptly walked into the apartment. The soldiers looked on in bewilderment and faint jealousy.

    ¡°You can get girlfriends in those things?¡±

    ¡°Man, I hate living here.¡± A soldier groaned out. The party settled in their accommodations, which were better than wood and blankets. It was stone and blankets, now with pillows! The apartment was gray thick slabs of stone, looking more like an armory than a place of rest. Bolato felt eased by the resemblance, that it would be difficult for criminals to strike. There were only two other guests in there with them, and it was a cute young couple in an adjacent room.

    ¡°Glad that''s done and over with. Do you think we can start heading out tomorrow, captain?¡± The woman soldier snickered at the title. She was of strong muscle and power, but it didn¡¯t show in her form. Her face was also far too dirty to be anything close to a captain. Her monolid eyes squinted at him.

    ¡°I appreciate the name. But they just call me an officer. Sadly, you might have to wait for a couple of days for the storm to clear up. However, we¡¯re gonna be having a feast in a few days or so. For now, enjoy your time at Vein Xinyuai.¡± The officer exitted, and closed the fur covered door behind her.

    There were only a couple bed rolls between them so they paired up. Kaliba however snuggled by a heat stone Bolato purchased alongside the room. They quickly dozed off, as Vega stuffed Florato into her bedrolls. And for added touch, she placed her cap on her head tight.

    ¡°Man, actresses sleep a lot. Oh well, night-night pretty lady. Don¡¯t let Kaliba bite, because he likes to do that to girls.¡± Vega left the apartment and stared out at the town. Bright red pillars, bluish tiles, and pathways smoothed out to her.

    ¡°Time to help-help people!¡± She marched to the center of the town, seeing the still flowing aqueducts coming from the lake. The mainstreet had plates and bowls made of jade, meant to give offerings to spirits. She tossed a coin into one.

    ¡°Keep the change!¡± Heating pipes blew steam upward, fiercely fighting against the cold. Most of the building had such systems, with a coal facility aiding the process. She at first wanted to enter, but realized that there was fire inside. Seeking another option, she walked to the lake. Its glow shined and added natural light to the town, as the rushing water shone through.

    She saw two people in the far distance. They seemed to be swimming, and of youthful age. If there was a conversation held, she couldn¡¯t hear over the wind.

    ¡°Hey! Do ya guys need help?¡± She waved to them. They didn¡¯t notice, probably enjoying the scenery around them. Rubbing her bandage, she got a plan.

    ¡°Swim time!¡± She hopped into the lake and took to paddling through the river. It wasn¡¯t a far distance, only a few hundred yards. But as she continued to swim, she started to notice people. Splotched figures behind the couple.

    ¡°Oh boy! More-more people to help! Yippie!¡± Vega squealed with joy. The figures became clear images, men in rug like armor. Some of them held knives and spears. The scarecrow was just fifty yards away.

    ¡°Hey! Dudes, do ya guys need help?¡± The couple heard her voice, and turned their heads to Vega.

    ¡°Because I saw your guys¡¯ mean looking friends behind ya. And not to be mean, they look like they could use some help!¡± Both of them slowly craned their faces behind them, to the band of brigands.

    ¡°Help us!¡±

    ¡°Alright!¡± The group snatched the pair and ran over the hill, just as Vega got out of the water.

    ¡°My jacket is ruined. Oh well-well, I¡¯ll just ask Skaldi to clean it when I get back.¡± She raced over the hill, and saw four men trying to ride one baby century.

    ¡°Move you goddamn bug!¡± Two of the men tied up the couple, while the other two attempted to command it.

    ¡°That''s not how you¡¯re supposed to do that.¡± Vega knelt before the century¡¯s mandibles.

    ¡°What you say?¡±

    ¡°Centuries don¡¯t work like that. They need to be nurtured and cared for. Imagine a grapevine in desperate need of weeding. You don¡¯t just whack and hack off parts of it, you make a calculated effort.¡± Everyone including the captives looked at each other confused.

    ¡°Get off, I¡¯ll show you how to do it.¡± Vega, in a proud noble manner, shooed the brigands off the century. She then stroked the century¡¯s center armored plate.

    ¡°You touch up on key points, then it does what you want. Failures use brute force, when only a loving touch will do.¡± The scratching calmed the century down, as now proceeded to move forward. Everyone was impressed, including the couple. Vega was having a faint pride in her face, no smile but the contentment of teaching a skill was in her eyes.

    ¡°Now, you two try.¡± She pointed to the captives, and the bandits relinquished them. They cautiously went on the back of the baby century, copied the same movements, and the big bug obeyed. Within a minute, they disappeared over the hill. The bandits smiled at the demonstration, then frowned, and then charged at Vega for her clear deception. She turned back to them.

    ¡°What-what was I doing? Oh yeah! Do ya guys need help?¡± They stopped in their tracks. The leader noticed the clear personality shift. Her eyes and smile were lively again.

    ¡°You stole our century!¡± The brigand hissed out.

    ¡°No I didn¡¯t?¡±

    ¡°Yes you did! You stole our century when we were stealing some people!¡± The leader bellowed at her, spitting saliva in her bag face.

    ¡°Ya were stealing people?¡±

    ¡°Yes!?¡±

    ¡°Oh¡­.OH! Oh no¡­¡± Vega immediately rushed away from the chasing brigands. She hiked up the hill as she saw the couple in town.

    ¡°Oh no! I didn¡¯t help them! They¡¯re going to hate me now.¡± Vega¡¯s fear returned, now caused by the fact that the chance to aid the couple was limited.

    ¡°Get back here!¡±

    ¡°No. You¡¯re a bad guy, I can¡¯t help ya!¡± Her voice shivered, again conflicted with her nature. Just as the couple disappeared into the town, a cohort of troops appeared from the armory.

    ¡°Damn it! Turn back boys!¡± The bandits spun on their heels and raced over the hills. Vega continued to race as well.

    ¡°Must! Help! Pretty people!¡± Bolting to the marching troops, she hopped over them.

    ¡°Sorry. Just need to stop feeling bad!¡± The beating heart town pumped in mania, as mobs of people were outside. The couple was being consoled by a priest, while the town mayor was attempting to control the crowd¡¯s emotions. The officer walked up to the scarecrow, who was desperately trying to push through the mob.

    ¡°Calm down. What happened?¡±

    ¡°I don¡¯t know! Some weird-weirdos were stealing people I was trying to help, and I blank-blanked out then-¡± The officer wasn¡¯t having it.

    ¡°Shut up. Look, do you want to talk to the people you just saved?¡±

    ¡°...sure?¡± She commanded an opening to the couple, who were shaken by the event.

    ¡°Do ya guys need help?¡± The pair clung to the scarecrow, squeezing tightly. They were crying. A lot. Like, really really ugly crying. Not that I blame them, it was an upsetting experience for us all. All except Vega.

    ¡°Oh. Okay, ya can use me as a tissue, no problem.¡± Snot was drooled all over her. The crowd continued to complain to the mayor, screaming fear and conspiracy.

    ¡°It''s the newcomers!¡±

    ¡°That scarecrow caused all this! It''s not meant to be alive, it''s the product of Nemesis!¡± Another croaked out.

    ¡°They¡¯re attracting the bandits!¡±

    He struggled to slow their panic, but with the aid of the officer, the crowd dispersed. The couple left hideous mucus on Vega¡¯s jacket, but she didn¡¯t mind. Vega was happy to be of use, even if others put their literal emotion residue onto her. As everything calmed down, the officer and the mayor spoke to each in hushed tones. After their deliberation, the officer held Vega by the shoulder.

    ¡°Hey, I know you just saved some of our people and all¡­¡±

    ¡°Yes?¡±

    ¡°And you did that when you could have just¡­ not done that and gotten away with it¡­¡± The officer was trying to suggest something, which Vega didn¡¯t pick up.

    ¡°Yep?¡±

    ¡°...You aren¡¯t allowed to go to the feast.¡±

    ¡°Okay. Can I still help people?¡± The officer turned to the mayor, who shrugged.

    ¡°Look, you can help us by just doing a simple thing. You just stay in your apartment when the feast happens. Ok?¡±

    ¡°Okay. Ya sure you don¡¯t want me to do anything else?¡± Vega was trying to suggest something, which the officer didn¡¯t want to pick up.

    ¡°No.¡±

    ¡°Aw shucks.¡± The scare walked back to her apartment. It wasn¡¯t usual that she was told to stay in one place, but it was her least favorite task. When work was here, there were people there. As she returned to her room, everyone was fast asleep. All except Florato, who had just woken up.

    ¡°Where are we?¡±

    ¡°We¡¯re inside a vein-vein.¡± Vega educated. Florato didn¡¯t learn.

    ¡°You mean one of the vein cities, right?¡± The scarecrow nodded. Vega didn¡¯t know what a vein city is, but it sounded right to her. Florato blew a sigh, and wiped her forehead of sweat.

    ¡°Goodness, after seeing that guy, I thought I was having a nightmare. Speaking of that, someone was singing to me. Know anything about that?¡±

    ¡°Nope!¡±

    ¡°Aw shucks.¡± Florato snapped her fingers, disappointed.

    ¡°Can ya give me back-back my hat-hat?¡± Florato hadn¡¯t even noticed the hat she was wearing, along with the fur blanket. She knew it was Vega¡¯s doing. Funny, a thing that wasn¡¯t barely close to a human was treating her better than others in recent memory. She handed it off to her, and Vega bowed.

    ¡°Thank ya milady.¡± She tipped her hat to the actress. ¡°Do ya have a nice dream?¡±

    ¡°Uhh, sure? It did have someone singing, which I already said.¡± Florato got up, breathing out fog. Shivering, she walked over to her pack and changed into a large leafy coat.

    ¡°Are there any other rooms in this place?¡±

    ¡°Yep, but the one next to us is occupied. Up-upstairs isn¡¯t though.¡±

    ¡°Good, it hasn''t been awhile since I¡¯ve been in a vein.¡± Florato, forced to waddle while wearing the coat, carried her pack as she went out the door. Climbing up the stairs, Florato laid her hands against the walls. Knocking at them, she could tell that they were thick and hard. Going up three floors, she opened a door to an empty room.

    ¡°There¡¯s nothing like midnight practice.¡± Laying down her pack, Florato scooped out her instrument. It was bone bright and sea smooth. The form fit perfectly in her hand, and had many holes in it. In the palm of her hand, was a clay beauty.

    ¡°Cool-cool.¡± Vega was right next to Florato''s face.

    ¡°Damn it! You have to stop doing that!¡± The actress jumped back, with Vega squatting beside her still.

    ¡°Sorry. But¡­what is that?¡± Vega pointed.

    ¡°This? It''s an ocarina.¡± Vega¡¯s eyes went blank for a moment, then resumed their scribbled form.

    ¡°Made of a pot.¡± Vega¡¯s voice didn¡¯t quiver, it was clear and precise. To her, it was a piece of the moon that came to the earth.

    ¡°Yeah? How did you know that?¡± Florato was taken aback, she hadn¡¯t even mentioned it to her.

    ¡°How did-did I know what?¡± Vega¡¯s scattered speech returned. Florato, although in her brief time with her, didn¡¯t see the events that took Vega¡¯s character.

    All she did observe was her keen eye for the details. Whether it be the mention of the exact type of tweeting a bird would make, or how the studs on her boots created the chomping of teeth, Vega had a knack for things that made noise. But rarely, did she actually care for musical instruments.

    ¡°You knew what it was made out of!¡± The actress asserted.

    ¡°What was made out of what?¡±

    ¡°My ocarina?¡± Florato presented the holed instrument to her face.

    ¡°What is it made out of?¡±

    ¡°You just said that!¡±

    ¡°Did I? I must-must have forgot?¡± Vega forgot.

    ¡°No you didn¡¯t!¡± Vega definitely forgot.

    ¡°But I did-did.¡± Vega absolutely, positively, forgot what she had said.

    ¡°Whatever. Just, don¡¯t try to interrupt me when I¡¯m practicing, ok?¡± Florato pleaded, with the scarecrow giving a thumbs up. Placing her lips on the mouthpiece, she exhaled a blessed wind. Flying through the cold corpse sky, her song brought an earthy charm to the air.

    Maneuring her fingers quick, and drawing air slow, she played the ocarina like how an ear hears. With ease and enjoyment. It wasn¡¯t like how the musicians performed it at the concert, or like how the village sounded. Blending, divine and mortal. Sky and sea. Outsider and familiar. Imitation and authenticity. Vulgarity and beauty. Tool and uselessness.

    Vega observed her playing, and knew. She knew it in her soul. Whatever Florato was doing, it was for her. A means to end. A tool to make elegance manifest.

    Music, at least Florato¡¯s making of it, was a real magic to Vega¡¯s ears.

 Chapter 12: Heartbreaker Haze (Part 2!)

    Chapter 12: Heartbreaker Haze (Part 2!)

    ¡°That was awesome! Do-do that again!¡± Vega loved the feeling the song provided in ample supply.

    ¡°Thanks buddy.¡± Florato appreciated her audience, even if she was talkative at times. The scarecrow reached out for the ocarina.

    ¡°Can-can I try?¡± Vega asked.

    ¡°Sure, try it, but be careful. It means a lot to me.¡± Florato helped place Vega¡¯s fingers in the right position. Vega looked to her for confirmation that she was doing it right, and Florato nodded. Lacking lungs, Vega pantomimed the act of taking a breath, and then blew into the instrument. No sound came out.

    ¡°Ah. Darn.¡± Vega handed back the ocarina, now scratching the ground in disappointment. ¡°I can¡¯t spit song-song like ya do Florato. Shame.¡±

    ¡°That¡¯s ok. Here, let me look for something you can use.¡± The actress had filed multiple instruments in her bag. She pulled out a pipe tied to a bow, leather pouches with copper string connecting them, and then finally, a guitar.

    It was of vampiric origin, gloomy and gothic. The image of Vega holding it was almost comical to the actress, but she knew she would make it her own.

    ¡°What¡¯s this?¡± Vega queried.

    ¡°That¡¯s yours.¡± Florato was proud of the gift, finally Vega would have a hobby to occupy her. Outside of doodling and babysitting of course.

    ¡°No it''s not. This is yours.¡±

    ¡°Vega, I know this might be hard to get through your skull.¡±

    ¡°Maybe. But I don¡¯t got-got one of those.¡±

    ¡°Listen! I¡¯m giving this to you. So you can keep it. Alright?¡± Florato leaned over her in order to get her understanding.

    ¡°Ok. What do I do with it?¡± Florato got behind the scarecrow, and began to instruct.

    ¡°Well, you put your fingers on it. And you pluck the strings, softly, but with power.¡± Vega¡¯s glove brushed against the metal wires. She didn¡¯t want to risk hurting this wonderful tool.

    ¡°Don¡¯t worry. It¡¯s alright if you mess up. I made plenty of mistakes my first time and look at me.¡± Florato reassured her and smiled.

    ¡°You¡¯re very pretty?¡±

    ¡°Exactly. Now, start, don¡¯t be shy.¡± Vega closed her eyes, summoning all of her memories of melody and mania. She flicked her thumb across the wires, and six waves of shaking metal came out. Admiring the electric sound, Vega closed her eyes and absorbed it.

    ¡°Nice. Do you like this Vega?¡± Florato patted the scarecrow¡¯s back.

    ¡°Yes¡­¡± Holding her hands against the smoothened surface of the guitar, she loved how it was. She then tried to play a replica of Florato¡¯s song, only managing to make uncoordinated noise.

    ¡°Hold on Vega. You can¡¯t just swing your hands and make a song. I was just going to practice, but how about I keep teaching you for tonight?¡± Florato offered, as Vega was happy to receive.

    ¡°It¡¯s been a while-while since I learned something! Please!¡± Florato smiled.

    ¡°Alright, we can practice till morning. If it ever does come.¡± Throughout the night, the duo took turns on the instrument. The actress ensured that Vega wouldn¡¯t forget the lesson by forcing her to write them down. She couldn¡¯t check for if she actually recorded her teaching, but she trusted Vega enough.

    From the name of each string, how to tune, and eventually a strumming pattern, Vega took to understanding it. Over the course of night Vega was becoming a musician. Well, a better term would be ¡®sub-musician¡¯. All she could really do was strum the first two strings on repeat. Which was good progress for her, but disappointing for anyone else.

    Vega too was frustrated. It wasn¡¯t like swinging her pickaxe or accomplishing a task. It required continuous practice and routine. When it came to things like reading and writing, she could tell she was making progress visually. But in times of hearing her improvement, she had difficulty. A thought plagued her as she studied. How could nature create melody so easily? How do the trees and the sea join together so seamlessly? Why do they cooperate when her very fingers could not?

    The scarecrow at her best could only produce a sour copy of Florato¡¯s work.

    As the wind screeched outside, Skaldi rose from his bedroll. Amir and Valiato were already awake, while Bolato wasn¡¯t. He looked around and saw that the actress and the scarecrow weren¡¯t there.

    ¡°Good, glad I can have some peace and quiet.¡± He decided to go outside, it had been a while since he prayed. Skaldi wasn¡¯t much of a religious man out of fear of the afterlife, it was far less personal. His relation to the spirits was borne out of mutual respect and community.

    Walking out into the snow, over a hill, he started to place red stones in a circle. He knew Iozians would be fearful of a tribal''s practice, so he seeked isolation. Within the circle, he placed a fetish inside. It was the rib of a deceased spirit. Obsidian like in its edge but feathery in touch, the fetish stood out in the snow. Now chanting in his native tongue, Skaldi spoke words of kindness and idolatry.

    He had known the spirit personally. It was a wounded war spirit, suffering a mortal borne disease. Skaldi¡¯s family had taken care of the being but it sadly succumbed to its wounds. He attempted to send the body to its realm but his family commanded him not to. It was tradition that spirits were to be buried across the continent if they were to pass in mortal lands.

    When leaving the tribe, Skaldi carried packs of the spirit''s remains. Again, not out of great respect for religion, though he did have that. In the Galtian¡¯s tribe''s last stand, they had seemingly forgotten about the spirits and traded their spirituality for survival.

    This story has been unlawfully obtained without the author''s consent. Report any appearances on Amazon.

    Skaldi knew that survival wasn¡¯t in their hands. Especially if those hands carried a spear. The only ones that could have determined a positive fate for the tribe were the Oligarchs.

    Sadly that is the fate for many outsiders. To rely on the empathy of the oppressor. Although I wasn¡¯t exactly disadvantaged, I knew of their plight. The codes of hate they received. Having to play the game by the rules of the majority, those in power. It is frustrating for them. Yet, when the oppressor finally contacts and interacts with the outsider on their field, love starts.

    Common wisdom promotes that hatred is inevitable. It¡¯s only inevitable when positive interaction with enemies isn¡¯t possible. It is hard to hate an outsider when they are your friends or work in the same place. To understand and share their pain, it is harder to make victims and easier to care for them.

    However, in this town, the team is in for a rude awakening. Lonely parts of the world often don¡¯t have a chance to meet the enemy. Only alone with the commands of society and given an order of truculence.

    ¡°~Rest well Hartuian. Rest well and may your body protect our lands.~¡± Skaldi finished his prayer, as the stone and the fetish faded away into small stars. All around the circle, grew a patch of ripe breaker fruit and seeds. He bowed to the patch and walked back to the apartment.

    ¡°~I swear, when I rob those bastard Oligarchs, I will give you a proper burial.~¡±

    Over his seven year long leave, Skaldi had done these rituals many times. In fact, if he were to really go back north, he would be complete. One elf, burying one spirit, he thought. He never believed he could never do it alone. He was correct.

    Upon entering the room again, the actress and the scarecrow were present. Although the actress seemed to be napping, Vega was doodling again on her papers. She had borrowed a few crayons from Valiato, and enjoyed them thoroughly.

    Skaldi half expected her to be outside, standing. Or whatever scarecrows do. It was still early in the day, there were shenanigans to be had, if the redhead allowed it.

    ¡°Hey sweet pea. How¡¯s the tea going?¡±

    ¡°Good. Amir is cooking it with breaker fruit because breaker fruit is cool and it tastes good.¡± Valiato blankly spoke out her liking for the odd fruit. Skaldi looked at the pot, seeing the natural squares blob in the pool. It gave off a spicy acid smell, catching the elf off guard.

    ¡°I see. Well, can you ask Amir if we can hang out? We could use some practice.¡± Valiato got giddily and hopped onto her feet.

    ¡°~Ari, can me and Ska hang out? We¡¯ll be quick!~¡± She adorably pleaded, and Amir rolled his eyes.

    ¡°~Remember. Tighten your gloves. That is all.~¡±

    ¡°Alright, let¡¯s go Ska!¡± She grabbed her sling and went out with the elf. Skaldi took a look at the scarecrow over his shoulder.

    ¡°Here¡¯s hoping that she doesn¡¯t screw this up for us.¡± The pair strolled down the main street of the town. He could tell the town was going through a crisis. Iozians, aside from their reds and golds, love their roads. Who can blame them? The avenue to transverse the world with ease is a common theme in their storytelling. All their roads meant something to them.

    A pathway in the sea of social relationships. Where all people¡¯s cross, and where all will go. There is a saying among these Iozians, one that is a belief yet I can¡¯t help to say is a truth. ¡®A road with no direction is no road. If there is no goal, no place to go, no family to get to, you are simply going nowhere¡¯.

    Skaldi in his travels knew the signs of disorder started small, seemingly insignificant. There were mild inconveniences, things that worked but not as well as they should. A chipped offering plate. An unfilled club house. And a road, in its dull form, missing maintenance.

    Like how a model¡¯s last thing to let go in their pursuits is their looks, if a town fails to maintain its roads, something is sinister. These dents in the fabric of a society formed holes and wounds, spreading outward. From the buildings, onto the people. First, insults, then mobs, and so on and so on. He knew he was an outsider to this place, but all he wanted was to enjoy Valiato. Afterall, she would have nothing to fear in this plane of prejudice. Right?

    He turned the corner and saw a sign for a shop. It had a symbol for general goods and a script unknown to the elf. Skaldi was ready to get the kid a gift. The pair entered the shop, seeing a couple shelves and crates.

    ¡°Hey sweet pea, do you see anything you like?¡± He kneeled down, waving his hand to the shelves. Her eyes took a bit to find an object, but she eventually found her prize. She saw a set of firecrackers, along with some bags of black powder. Skaldi¡¯s face turned to horror. He saw the soldiers inside the store he thought he was in. Skaldi accidentally entered an Armory.

    The elf should have noticed. It¡¯s thick clay bricks, the banners including a Recor eye. Since he was already there, he did note that there was a clerk. It wasn¡¯t uncommon for Armory to have military surplus sections in them, but it didn¡¯t mean anyone could go in.

    Typically only soldiers were let in. There would be no reason for the average person to enter, as carrying self defense arms and their practice varied from province.

    Still, he noted that he hadn¡¯t been kicked out. Valiato looked up at the explosives, and Skaldi¡¯s judgment weighed. His kindness won out, as he went up to the shelf.

    ¡°Okay sweetpea, now, do you want anything else?¡± He tried to nudge her into the direction of leaving.

    ¡°Can I Ska?¡± Skaldi¡¯s kindness won out, again.

    ¡°Sure Valiato, but only one more.¡± He picked up the black powder. Despite being light it felt like he was holding the world in his hands. As the pair walked around, the soldiers kept their eyes on them, noting every sudden jolt or move. Her eyes caught a series of comic books, resembling a Tripolian style of art.

    ¡°Are you sure you want those sweetpea?¡± Skaldi¡¯s forehead was purple with fear. Valiato either didn¡¯t care or choose not to care.

    ¡°Yes!¡± She scooped up the stack and began to walk towards the register. Skaldi got to the desk and craned his head up to the clerk. He was wrinkly, with one cock eye and brown dots on his body.

    ¡°What do you want, knife ear?¡± He spoke in a bitter accent.

    ¡°I just want to get some gifts, that¡¯s all.¡± Skaldi hated these situations. He knew what would come. The inevitable pain. The inevitable insecurity.

    ¡°Sure. And what would an effeminate foreigner like to buy?¡± The clerk filed his nails, waiting for Skaldi to summon his strength. He would endure this, so that the kid wouldn¡¯t, he thought.

    ¡°A stack of magazines and some firecrackers. That¡¯s all.¡± The clerk leaned forward, looking up and down at the elf, in heavy disapproval. He brought out a clipboard, and muttered an insult to himself.

    ¡°That will be ten gold. Think you can do that tribal?¡± Jacking up the prices was a thing he was used to. Skaldi much preferred that over any insult. He¡¯d rather liked the hate of the state. It wasn¡¯t personal, it was the orders of a distant government. But when face to face with someone who holds no empathy, that¡¯s the real oppression.

    ¡°I t-think.¡± Skaldi knew the act, spent a minute acting like you don¡¯t have enough, then brought out an approximate amount. It worked, and gave the clerk the suffering that he wanted. The pair exitted, Valiato reassured and Skaldi insecure.

    ¡°Hey Valiato.¡±

    ¡°Yes Ska?¡±

    ¡°...You¡¯re a good kid, and don¡¯t forget that. You got it?¡± The kid couldn¡¯t know the pain the elf went through. But she could imagine, as she tucked on her gloves.

    ¡°I won¡¯t forget it.¡± She placed his words into a vault of wise treasures.

    ¡°Alright sweetpea. Now let''s have some fun!¡±

 Christmas Special!

    Christmas Special!

    When the air turns into a plush white, when the sky turns into pale fur, when the nights grow long, it''s time to celebrate.

    Unless that¡¯s the cause of a natural disaster like a volcano or fire, but right now it isn¡¯t so¡­ time to have fun.

    Vein Xinyuai and its nearby pools bubbled warm heat into the air. In the middle of this frigid night, Florato and Vega used this warmth to prepare a surprise. To be honest, it was more Vega¡¯s idea because she can¡¯t really sense heat. Florato was shaking like a wet dog.

    ¡°T-this better be worth Vega. I¡¯m freezing here!¡± The actress chattered out, using an entire rug to cover herself. There were no more blankets since Vega was making a hut out of them.

    ¡°Don¡¯t worry-worry. I promise it will be something to remember.¡±

    ¡°Why didn¡¯t you want to do this ¡®celebration¡¯ back in the hotel? Where is it warm?¡±

    ¡°Because that¡¯s how the Mayor did it back in Cold Cavern. And that¡¯s how I¡¯m going to do it.¡± Vega finished setting up the hut and ushered in Florato.

    The skin breaking winds of the blizzard disappeared as the actress entered inside, looking up at the walls of the structure. Vega appeared to be quite the architect to Florato, as it was big enough to be a dance hall and featured a makeshift chandelier made from glued together rocks. Each rock had a wide candle with wax dripping delicious smelling ooze.

    ¡°Wait¡­ you did all of this in one night?¡± Florato questioned, amazed by the accomplishment.

    ¡°Technically I started in the evening, but yep.¡±

    ¡°Huh¡­ is that a bad thing?¡± As Florato asked, one of the wooden poles holding up the hut untangled from the wall and collapsed onto Vega.

    ¡°Uh. Maybe?¡± Vega said, missing a beat. Florato helped lift the pole off her.

    ¡°You know, I was going to say something nice, now I¡¯m reserving judgment. But now what?¡± Florato walked around the hut, seeing a lack of things to do.

    ¡°Yeah, ya right. I never really got to the part of actually celebrating stuff. Hmm.¡± Vega put a finger to her mouth as she tilted her head. Florato, not wanting to complain without offering any help, went outside to grab Vega¡¯s tools. Upon reemerging, she struck into the ground with a pickaxe.

    ¡°What are ya doing?¡±

    ¡°Where you built this hut ain¡¯t too far from the water. Only ten yards, so why not bring some steaming hot water in here?¡±

    ¡°Oh. Good thinking!¡± Vega¡¯s excitement rose, taking the pickaxe from Florato.

    ¡°Why do you want to do it?¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m not made of flesh bits! I don¡¯t tire-tire!¡± Vega answered she dug a trench outside. Using this newfound drive, Florato sped outside to gather food and drink. Using some of her savings, the actress grabbed many dishes. Vein Xinyuai on this night was a restless town, with folk praying to ancestors and giving thanks to family members.

    Because of this, finding enough food for the party wasn¡¯t a tough task. In fact, the only hard part about it was finding fine enough alcohol.

    Florato entered into a local winery covered in frost grape vines. Barrels full of mashed grapes and grape juice were stacked high on shelves. And most of the selection was cheap wine meant to flavor water. She searched for a drink that would have some power to it.

    Men turned some of the frost grapes into a thick paste, mixing it with sugar and ice. And a mysterious clear fluid that wasn¡¯t water. All of it was being stirred in a wide tub atop a platform, overlooking the entire winery. Approaching the working men, Florato made herself known by clearing her throat.

    ¡°Yes ma¡¯am?¡±

    ¡°I was wondering what¡¯s this?¡± She said, pointing to the paste.

    ¡°That there is Iceberg ice cream. A silver a pound.¡±

    ¡°Got it!¡± Florato¡¯s eyes sparkled, glad to have found a standout alcohol dish.

    She handed two gold pieces to the foot of one of the men and took off with her all of her groceries.

    ¡°Hey Vega I¡¯m bac-¡± Florato stopped as she saw the whole party was already there. Amir collapsed on the ground. Valiato was trying to steal the fireworks stashed in his pocket. Vega, using a trowel, put the finished touches on the hut¡¯s pool.

    Oh yeah, Skaldi and Bolato were taking a bath together. Not naked! They are not savages.

    ¡°Uhhhh¡­¡±

    Did you know this text is from a different site? Read the official version to support the creator.

    ¡°Hey Flo!¡± Valiato ran up to her and hugged her leg. The actress was surprised by such an action and was stunned.

    ¡°Oh¡­ hi¡­ what¡¯s happened?¡± Florato stuttered out.

    ¡°Amir fainted at seeing Skaldi and Bolato without their shirts on. And I¡¯m trying to light the fireworks Skaldi got me!¡± Vega, using some flint, was aiding the effort of igniting said fireworks, which raised Florato¡¯s concern.

    ¡°Right. Because that would make sense.¡± Florato tried to turn her gaze away from the couple in the pool, who were of course, being very lovey dovely.

    ¡°Trust me, the only thing that makes sense about this is that we have a heated pool.¡± Skaldi snickered at Florato. He laid his head against the side of the pool. ¡°If this wasn¡¯t here, I¡¯d be complaining.¡±

    ¡°Speaking of which, want to head inside?¡± Bolato offered. ¡°Well, after we get out.¡±

    ¡°But we just got in here!¡± Skaldi pouted.

    ¡°Come on, let the girls enjoy the water.¡± Bolato lifted Skaldi off his feet and into an adjacent room meant for changing. When they finished putting back on their clothing, the couple immediately ransacked Florato¡¯s stash of food. Much to her restrained anger. As she rolled her eyes, the actress heard a hiss followed by a pop.

    What broke her out of her sour mood was Vega, who was currently dancing.

    Well, she was running.

    Well, she was on fire.

    The scarecrow fucked with the fireworks.

    ¡°Burning! Everyone! I¡¯m on fire!¡± Vega yelled out with terrible fear in her voice. This caught everyone (except Amir) off guard, with each person making attempts to both calm her down and extinguish her.

    Skaldi threw beer at her. Didn¡¯t work.

    Bolato smacked her flames with a blanket. Didn¡¯t work.

    Valiato threw water on her. That just made more fire, go figure.

    And finally, Florato grabbed Vega and dunked her into the pool. The spray of steaming water splattered over the whole party, leading to Amir finally waking up.

    ¡°~Huh? What happened kid? What am I doing here?~¡± Amir lifted himself off his knees and stumbled towards Valiato.

    ¡°~Oh, we¡¯re celebrating.~¡±

    ¡°~Celebrating what?~¡±

    ¡°~Stuff.~¡± Valiato shrugged. Amir raised his finger as he planned on making a big statement but he couldn¡¯t muster up the drive to do it.

    Florato swam out of the water with droplets of water turning into thin steam. When Vega got out, she was missing an arm along with her stomach bleeding¡­ Well, hay.

    ¡°Vega¡­ if this pool wasn¡¯t warm¡­ you¡¯d be a dead scarecrow¡­¡± Florato swung open the door to the changing room and pulled off a towel to dry herself with.

    ¡°Florato, how do you kill what¡¯s not alive?¡± Vega chuckled out, now repairing herself using a sewing kit from the same room.

    ¡°Ha. Whatever.¡± Florato gave up her anger and a toothless smile came across her face. The two exited, now seeing the party sitting around the table, passing food and drink to each other. Valiato wasn¡¯t quite happy since she didn¡¯t get to use any fireworks, but she wasn¡¯t unhappy.

    As for Amir, he seemed to be enjoying the Iceberg Ice cream. It might have been the fact that Florato didn¡¯t tell them that they were alcoholic, but she wasn¡¯t going to tell them now.

    ¡°Want to eat-eat?¡± Vega asked, pulling Florato with her one arm.

    ¡°Not yet. I want to do something for this¡­ celebration.¡± Florato looked a tad mischievous as she wandered over to her many instruments.

    ¡°Kay! What about ya Kaliba?¡± Vega looked at her shoulders and became surprised that she didn¡¯t see the crow. This surprise turned to worry then back to surprise when she saw Kaliba feasting with the party. In fact, Bolato had taken to petting him.

    ¡°Mind passing over the garum?¡± Bolato requested.

    ¡°Got-got it.¡± Kaliba pushed over a bowl of the condiment.

    Vega took a few steps back, to fully take in the sight. It had only been a month ago where she was content to stand in a field and ¡®help¡¯ people. But now, Vega had really gained something. Something she couldn¡¯t quite find the words for. Family? Friends?

    ¡°Nah.¡± Vega said to herself. ¡°Company. I am no longer a lonely body.¡± Vega¡¯s smile shifted from being cartoonishly large and shrunk down to a smirk. A scarecrow with friends¡­ You know, I¡¯d be laughing right now at the absurdity of this, but I can¡¯t bring myself to make this moment less than it is.

    The scarecrow cleared her throat, making sure everyone saw her. For a moment, she felt frightened at the party staring at her, but her confidence returned.

    ¡°Hello everyone. I know I sometimes cause-cause trouble. And I know sometimes I¡¯m annoying. But, I know that ya guys are kinda like me. In the ways that most people don¡¯t like ya for something that was never your choice.¡± As Vega spoke, Skaldi¡¯s eyes stood open, not blinking.

    ¡°I know life-life is tough. But, I wanted to celebrate, Our survival. Because some people don¡¯t survive. But we did, despite what other people put us through. So thank ya for being my friends.¡± Vega bowed before her audience and skipped over to Florato, who was playing a song on her guitar.

    ¡°If anyone else had said what she said, a tear would be coming out of my eye.¡± Skaldi snickered out, but he immediately felt regret for saying as a sharp pang struck his heart. Bolato however liked the music Florato was playing as his foot started to tap on the ground.

    ¡°Hey sweetie, want to celebrate our survival?¡± Bolato stood up over Skaldi, handsome as he could be. Skaldi blushed for a moment but offered his hand to the soldier. The couple quickly got in the motion of the song and danced in rhythm to it.

    Valiato laughed in joy as she saw the couple sway, but Amir was having none of it.

    ¡°~I¡¯ll show those sodomites how to kick it.~¡± With a spin, the Tripol scooped up Florato from off her feet.

    ¡°~Amir! Ha! What are you doing?~¡± Florato was shocked but heartwarmed by Amir¡¯s energy. Her face blushed an autumn red. She tried to keep on playing but Vega quickly took the guitar from her and kept the song going at a rapid pace.

    ¡°~Florato, I¡¯m gonna do the best I can!~¡± With that, Amir lowered her feet to the ground as he led her in the movements. Most of the time, Florato¡¯s eyes were on the ground, making sure to match up with Amir¡¯s movements.

    Valiato¡¯s hands came up to her mouth, as bits of laughter came out from her. ¡°Wow, I didn¡¯t know Amir could bust it down!¡± Skaldi and Bolato weren¡¯t ready to give up so they kept the motions, spiraling and hopping around.

    Vega didn''t seem to harbor any ill emotion. No fear. No anger. No pain. Just a genuine appreciation for the people around her.

    She held up her head and whispered.

    ¡°Thank ya voice. Ya are the best.¡± Turning back towards the whole party, she leapt into the air.

    ¡°Now-now, let¡¯s party!¡±

 Chapter 13: Regicide!

    Chapter 13: Regicide!

    Assassins¡­ those bastards. If I could have annihilated a single institution it would have been them.

    Runtaii patience¡¯s for them waned a long time ago. Assassins, otherwise known as the Order of Nizari, held a great degree of autonomy. Their base, Organ Alamut, sent ten extra men to support Runtaii¡¯s offensive. He took four and his marshall took six. If he could redo the choice, he would have taken none.

    ¡°March. March. We march and they aren¡¯t seen for days.¡± Runtaii said in a monotone voice. Two thousand odd men strong, his army had been roaming the outskirts of the Oligarchy border. Two weeks ago he breached through the Mount Jerius pass, narrowly escaping the approaching Twenty Seventh legion.

    ¡°I would praise Galataii for denying their attack, but I would have preferred a fight. Or anything with a minor bit of glory.¡± Runtaii complained. Often the worst part of war is boredom. You know death can strike like a droplet of water shakened off a tree. Sudden and unsettlingly.

    Not for these men. Death for them would be like a snake coiling around the neck of some poisoned rabbit, strangling it until it could live no longer. Runtaii chose to lead in the front, mounted high on his horse and wearing quite regal armor. Gold trimmings on the edges of his gauntlets and helmet and paired with green cloth for padding.

    This choice wasn¡¯t out of boosting morale or to even make himself visible to his subjects. It was so that whenever a man either collapsed from exhaustion or dehydration, he wouldn¡¯t see it.

    ¡°Here my men are dying for nothing. Nothing, while those Assassins don¡¯t show up.¡± Runtaii whispered into his fist. ¡°Damn you¡­¡±

    He steeled his morale with his imagination. What incredible riches he and his men would gain. Keep going. Keep going to the Lai Bank. March until the Oligarchy is dead, Runtaii told himself.

    Three quarters of the way down the Ria Might River existed a forgotten megaproject. It was finished and used, yes, but the wonder and ¡®mega¡¯ part of it had gone thoroughly unremembered. However, it wouldn¡¯t go unnoticed by Runtaii. It would be hard since he was traveling on it and looking at its makers.

    Three long faces with eyes without pupils stared at him. These faces made from the stone of a cliffside commemorate the three Oligarchs that put together the Dice Highway.

    ¡°Hmm. All roads lead to Optimum Yang in the Oligarchy¡­ It seems Ani hasn¡¯t even told me the half of it.¡± Runtaii had never been in the Oligarchy, and this march notified how out of the loop he really was. His home province didn¡¯t even have such well made paths. How far behind are we, Runtaii thought.

    ¡°Exaggerated. Everything Ani told me, I thought was exaggerated. Ha! How wrong was I?¡± Runtaii enjoyed humiliation, so long as it was short and direct. He felt that it kept him humble.

    The Ria Might river¡¯s eighteen hundred mile course, between the once frontier of the Iozians, lays a magnificent network constructed two hundreds years ago. Pressed together by both mountains shaped like teeth and hills full of lush life, this network had become less of a marvel and more of a part of the landscape.

    Like how one doesn¡¯t take in the full gift that is air in lungs and a roof over your head. The megaproject pushed through this once untamed part of the wilderness. Hacking whatever natural obstacle, most of the Dice Highway was made up of the carved wounds of mountains.

    The whole operation, commissioned by the triplets of the Reya Family, served two purposes. To increase their transport of goods, making their merchants speedy. And the second, as a gamble for their future.

    Not all Oligarchs are not so lucky to have the power to lead their troops themselves, as higher ranking Oligarchs held that right. Spending an extraordinary amount of money on this project had too many risks for any reasonable man to take.

    Achieving victory in battle and financial success would be their means to gain such high ranks. This military roadway, needless to say, was a terrific success.

    But then again, this very highway provided Runtaii the means to enter into the Oligarchy. Oh well, you win some, you lose some.

    ¡°Curious. To think thousands of men looked at the rocks and said to themselves, ¡®Yeah. We can do that¡¯. I ought to consider constructing such a thing. But how would I even begin?¡± He held out a hand behind him, making his army stop in their tracts. The scrubbing between metal and cloth ceased. Each man looked at Runtaii, wondering what he was wondering about.

    Runtaii wondered how everything looked before. Before the pickaxes and shovel plunged deep into the world¡¯s body. Skrunks nibbling on the insects that hid inside the river¡¯s many pools. The slopes of the mountain that goats used to climb on. Maybe they climbed the very mountain his army was on.

    ¡°Master, what do you see?¡± A cavalryman slowed Runtaii¡¯s wandering mind.

    ¡°Over there. You see that figure?¡± He pointed to two lone trees atop a hill. Runtaii made up a figure, trying not to show that he was simply enjoying the highway¡¯s sights.

    ¡°Aye, I didn¡¯t notice them.¡± This initially confused Runtaii. ¡°The Assassins have returned your grace.¡± The cavalry spoke with a tone praising his master¡¯s keen eyes. But Runtaii¡¯s eyes were that of faint annoyance. The Assassins floated down the trees like leaves. Even when he wanted to admire the land of his enemies, his allies come here to annoy him.

    ¡°Oh. Goodie.¡±

    Stopping to rest at the edge of the Ria Might river, the rushing waters were just ten feet below Runtaii. Wicker shields from each soldier made the walls of the camp along with stakes quickly made from the surrounding woodland. Some soldiers put their Vol stones together into a pile, warm enough to boil their tea. Their exhaustion already relieved, Runtaii swiveled his head to his comrades. Calm killers they¡¯ll be.

    Runtaii wondered if the world wouldn¡¯t be more livable if everyone stopped for tea in the afternoon.

    Foam and twigs came and went southward in the river, much like Runtaii¡¯s ambition. All four of the Assassins smelt like they bathed in dirt and wore the leaves of the trees native to Iozia. Runtaii still sat atop his horse, waiting for them to relay their scouting. None of them chose to speak, so he was the one that broke the silence.

    ¡°Sabare, what are your findings?¡± Runtaii¡¯s clan accent growled at the youngest Assassin. He was the only human of the team.

    Sabare¡¯s naked face had more edges than curves, like an artist¡¯s rough sketch of a person. Thick coffee skin with warmth and tough black eyes with intelligence. He turned nineteen the day the army began marching.

    ¡°Sire, we have found a compound.¡± Sabere chewed on a date with his mouth open. ¡°Full! Full of soldiers. And most importantly¡­¡±

    ¡°What? What is it?¡± Runtaii leaned off the side of his horse.

    ¡°An Oligarch. One that we must kill.¡± Sabere said with the emptiness that accompanies death.

    ¡°Good. Killing multiple Oligarchs in quick succession, correct?¡±

    ¡°Yes sire.¡± Sabere closed his eyes, savoring the sweetness of his snack. Runtaii smiled, showing his great white teeth. Overjoyed that he and his men would finally engage in combat, Runtaii hand quivered with excitement.

    ¡°We will deal with it, sire.¡± Sabere said loud enough for his Runtaii¡¯s companions to hear. His harem flinched away, sensing his rising anger. Women hid behind one another, using their dresses as shields.

    ¡°What do you mean YOU will deal with it? We are fighters.¡± He assured the Assassins. None of them showed any disagreement.

    ¡°Yes. But this requires skills that an army does not have.¡± Sabere played diplomat, displaying his concerns to Runtaii. Sabere spat out his date and held out his hands close to his waist.

    ¡°We have been marching for days and we haven''t seen you for days. And now you have the guts to deny my men their right to fight?¡±

    ¡°No. We are guaranteeing their right to live. And from what I see, your men need to rest and forage for some food.¡± Sabere held out his arm to the army quickly before raising back towards Runtaii.

    ¡°True, yes.¡± Runtaii¡¯s voice calmed. He stroked his beard and looked back out to the river. How long would it take to rest, he thought to himself. ¡°Tell me, how long will it take your men to take him out? As well as to distract the compound so that they may not follow us?¡±

    ¡°Four days.¡±

    ¡°Four days?!¡± Runtaii blurted out the moment Sabere answered. ¡°We do not have four days! We have narrowly escaped the Twenty Seventh legion who might still be on our tracks. And you tell us that there are more Iozians nearby? Perhaps a couple hours, sure. But four days?!¡±

    ¡°Our work has a high price, sire. Time is that price.¡± Sabere spoke both to Runtaii and the crowd of soldiers witnessing the argument. ¡°And don¡¯t forget sire, Ani only said that you may go to the Yutai Basin only if you see it necessary. Don¡¯t stretch yourself too far.¡± Sabere recalled the conversation between Ani and Runtaii.

    Runtaii took in the frigid winter air and sipped on tea from his flask. He didn¡¯t want to remember that Ani held great power over him. However, he knew all that he could do was compromise.

    ¡°Sabere. You say that my army must rest and that they aren¡¯t capable of achieving what you are capable of?¡±

    ¡°Yes sire.¡±

    ¡°Hmm. How about twenty of my men and I accompany you? So that we can escort you faster while the rest collect themselves?¡± Runtaii shot out his arms to his fellow Galabag clansmen. Their faces smiled and each one stretched, all happy for the chance to fight.

    ¡°Ah. One moment, sire.¡± Sabere nodded and turned to speak with his fellow Assassins. Rounds of murmurs within their circle flowed out, with each distinct Assassin having a turn to speak. No one outside of it had a clue of what they were talking about, but the planning between them didn¡¯t take long. Sabere turned around first.

    ¡°Understood sire. We will agree to terms. However, we request a cart full of arrows and hundred extra spearmen to join.¡±

    ¡°Good!¡± Runtaii didn¡¯t feel the need to ask why they needed the additional supplies and soldiers. He was content enough that the Assassins were listening to him. But for a moment, Runtaii''s face became a tad confused. His eyes seemed to be looking to the sides of Sabere.

    ¡°Before we leave, where is the fourth?¡±

    ¡°What?¡± Sabere raised a single eyebrow. There were only two werefolk standing beside him, the only other Assassins present.

    ¡°The fourth Assassin. I took four of you.¡± Runtaii pointed up to his head. Sabere pointed to an object fastened on his belt. A yellow lamp shook on his hip.

    You could be reading stolen content. Head to the original site for the genuine story.

    Hidden from the coast and nesting inside the carcass of a volcano, the Ruman Harbor lies. Triremes and galleys cuddled close in the orange waters and tied to the black wood foundations. Hot bubbles sometimes rose up and blew away in the winter wind. A few bubbles rose up, from the air of Sabere.

    Swimming above water, Sabere noticed that the harbor¡¯s platforms were above him. Using hooks, he stabbed into the pillars holding up the harbor. He stepped on top of the hooks and used them as steps to go further up. Planting himself onto a beam, Sabere peered between the cracks of the dock walkway. Seeing soldiers patrolling above without a care, Sabere continued his climbing. He eventually reached the surface of the harbor and hid behind the many crates being carried off by sailors and cranes.

    He checked his corners for the soldiers unloading the boxes. Timing his slides precisely, he slid behind soldiers and hopped over crates, evading detection. Leaving the main dock area, Sabere went to crawl into the dirt. Rubbing rubbish and mud all over himself, he waited for the last sailors to pass by.

    ¡°Hey Timas. You saw the Concert of Combat right? How was it?¡± A squarish sailor asked while holding up the end of a crate.

    ¡°Oh! Quite the show. You should have seen it! It had music! It had thrills! It even had a talking scarecrow!¡± The other sailor sung praises of the concert and helped carry the other end of the crate.

    ¡°Really? Damn! I wish I could have been there.¡±

    ¡°There¡¯s always next year.¡± Both of the sailors'' mouths went wide as a cry of laughter from them both came out. Soon enough, the sailors left and Sabere rolled towards a doorway carved into the walls of the dead volcano. Dark purple brick made the walls of the headquarters. Every time Sabere pushed forward, the voices inside grew clearer. Ten, eleven men give or take, Sabere knew.

    A small yellow target was painted on the wall. Sabere leaned against the target and untied the yellow lamp. Now all he would need to do was wait.

    ¡°Oligarch Maki. I have come to present you a gift!¡± An aristocrat drowning in gold and wool waved to the Oligarch. Sitting on a humble throne, Maki sat up and put his hands together. Surrounded by priests with skin stacked on top of each other, Maki took the company of elderly scholars.

    Twig-like in width and tree-like in height, the Oligarch looked like serenity personified. Grassy blue eyebrows raised on Maki¡¯s face along with his mouth opening like an elderly turtle.

    ¡°I see. My kind friend,¡± He trotted over to the aristocrat. ¡°What is the gift you wish to bring?¡±

    ¡°An exotic animal from far! Behold, a tame oryx!¡± With a flamboyant voice, the aristocrat snapped and two servants brought forward the oryx. Tall horns and a gray and black pattern for its hide, the oryx was a fantastic gift.

    ¡°My kind friend. Thank you for such a wonderful beast.¡± Maki took the oryx and brought it to a garden within the headquarters. Blue light came from the stained glass ceiling, illuminating the few advisors enjoying the garden. Maki cut a few slices of an apple and fed it. He scratched the back of the oryx as it nustled it head into the chest of the Oligarch.

    ¡°What a kind beast.¡±

    Returning to his throne room, it took only a minute for another aristocrat to approach. A lady equestrian, smelling close to a sweaty war stallion.

    ¡°Oligarch Maki. I have come to bring you a gift.¡± A deep calm voice came out of the equestrian.

    ¡°I see. My kind friend,¡± He trotted over to the equestrian. ¡°What is the gift you wish to bring?¡±

    ¡°A tame horse. It is strong and fast. Yet it calmed when I rode next to it.¡± She snapped her fingers and two servants brought in the horse. White like the sun through clouds, the horse proved to a beautiful animal. Its agility could even be seen through Maki¡¯s paling eyes.

    ¡°My kind friend. Thank you for such a wonderful beast.¡±

    Maki took the horse and brought it to the same garden. He cut up some carrots and fed the slices to the horse. It eagerly ate from the Oligarch¡¯s hand which made Maki giggle. A faint fear in Maki came when the oryx approached the horse. Luckily, the oryx nodded to the horse and the horse nodded back. Maki''s eyes widened in amazement.

    ¡°What kind beasts. If only all of us could be kinder.¡±

    Skipping back to his throne room, Maki rested back down on his throne. Conversations tumbled by, with the officers leading the discussions on where next they should go. The Oligarch provided touch wisdom but never stripped away the input of the soldiers. With his advice, the discussion finished with all parties ready to leave within the day.

    Without warning, a dirty boy with frowzy hair over his eyes entered the room. No one could see his uniform since it was smothered in mud. Covered in sewage, his very stench repulsed all parties.

    ¡°Hello sire. Tell me, may I have a bite of bread and a cup of water?¡± Sabere¡¯s voice disguised as a sad and unthreatening voice. His knowledge of the Iozian language was extensive and his speaking was quite similar to a native Iozian. No one suspected him. Maki opened a single eye and upon looking at Sabere, it rolled in restrained annoyance.

    ¡°I see. Tell me boy, who are you?¡±

    ¡°Well,¡± Sabere gulped, making sure that the crowd of men believed he was nervous. ¡°I¡¯m lost and haven¡¯t eaten anything in days.¡±

    ¡°Tell me, where are your parents?¡±

    ¡°I don¡¯t have any parents. I lost them in the war.¡± Sabere¡¯s face cried while in his mind he was mute. Immediately, dozens of men yelled and drew their weapons.

    ¡°Scum son!¡±

    ¡°Bastard orphan!¡±

    ¡°Ghost!¡±

    ¡°Quiet!¡± Maki commanded the room, with every bowing in reaction. Each soldier remained hostile, pointing the tips of their blades at Sabere. ¡°Boy. Before I have my men kill you for your presence, tell me what you have to offer. If your offering is good enough, I will order them to make your death a quick and painless one.¡±

    Sabere sheepishly held out a yellow lamp. Maki snatched it from him and began to examine it.

    ¡°What is this? Is it gold?¡±

    ¡°No sire. Perhaps check inside.¡± Sabere slowly backed away, knowing the plan had gone off without a hitch.

    Maki opened the lamp and peered inside. For a moment, it seemed like nothing was there. The lamp rattled and flew from the Oligarch¡¯s hands and onto the floor. The yellow lamp glowed with a vicious blue as a thick smoke came out. This smoke rose out to the walls and the roofs of the whole harbor, and formed a massive mist, sending all but Sabere to fall back.

    When all the smoke was out of the lamp, Maki¡¯s face dropped in horror. The smoke gathered itself together and took on the form of a monstrous genii!

    ¡°Arise!¡± The thundering genii roared in a terrible voice. ¡°Let me harm you as you have harmed my master!¡± As he uttered these words, the genii gave a frightful yell, driving all in the room in panic. Swinging his enormous scimitar, the genii cut and crushed all around him.

    ¡°Run! Run for your lives!¡± The equestrian yelped out. The once united group scattered like sand in a tornado. Slash and snaps shot out as the genii sliced downward, turning the room into a slaughterhouse. The aristocrat pulled a dagger from his pocket and went to stab Sabere.

    ¡°Die ghost!¡± He screamed, raising his dagger high above him. However, Sabere pulled out a bow from out his uniform and fired an arrow into the cheek of the aristocrat.

    CRUNCH!

    Half of his head spilt open like a blooming flower. The aristocrat crashed onto the ground. Sabere scoffed and began to fire fast at the running soldiers. Both he and the genii painted the throne room with their blood.

    Maki stumbled and hopped out of the room, screaming as he did. All around him, men fell to the genii¡¯s blade. Blood spattered over his robes as he tried to escape through to the garden.

    Rushing through the greenery, Maki sneaked wherever he could, panting as he went. However, he stopped when he saw his advisors bleeding bodies. Their wounds were small, much like the ones from a dagger.

    ¡°Ani Arma has marked you for death.¡± A voice called from behind Maki. He turned to see three Assassins. One, that being Sabere. The other two, a were horse and a were oryx. All of them had contempt in their eyes. Soon followed by the genii, who lifted Maki by his head.

    ¡°Wait! I can offer you money! Riches! Anything you wish!¡± Maki made his final plea.

    ¡°We wish for your death.¡± Sabere answered. All four of the Assassins jumped onto the Oligarch, and cleaved him in two. The stench of his blood mixed well with the stench of dirt.

    ¡°Have we received the signal of your grace?¡± An officer with faint exasperation questioned Runtaii. Several of his fellow cavalrymen were falling asleep, and the spearmen had taken to conversation to keep their mood up. The whole force was on the road above the harbor and had a clear route to it. Despite this, their patience was exhausted.

    ¡°I get it! I wish to fight too but we can¡¯t rush in al-¡± A thundering cloud of smoke rose high out of the headquarters of the harbor.

    ¡°Men! Mount up!¡± Runtaii¡¯s voice quivered with excitement. He raised his spear to his fellow cavalry, as each put on their helms and climbed onto their horses. ¡°Five of you will lead the spearmen. The rest, with me!¡± Runtaii commanded with a bright smile. His horse stood on its hind legs, with Runtaii basking in the glory of impending combat.

    Pounding hard on the gravel road, the cavalrymen charged downward to the harbor.

    ¡°Soldiers! Get ready for blood!¡± Runtaii cheered with his eyes wild with zeal. His fellow men behind him raised their spears and swords high, screaming their war cry. Immediately, the many confused sailors turned their heads in complete terror.

    A single group managed to untie a boat and sail quick enough to avoid their attack.

    The rest however, weren¡¯t so lucky. Runtaii skewered any man that came in his way. Cavalry either sliced or tramped on the soldiers who couldn¡¯t immediately escape. Those that tried to run out the volcano were stopped by the hundreds of spearmen. Though they managed to make a formation, the soldiers and sailors were exposed on all sides.

    ¡°Finish them!¡±

    Iozians took their last sights and their last breath.

    Bodies were stacked high and the fire rose higher. Fat and meat burned and the faces of the Iozians became disfigured until what remained was an ash skull. The blue smoke siphoned back in the yellow lamp. Runtaii looked around and eyes were full of content. Death was all around him and he felt good.

    ¡°Well done Sabere. Well done.¡± He patted the still bloody shoulder of the Assassin. Sabere unbuckled his pouch and brushed the hand off him. A dull light illuminated from the pouch as Sabere gripped it with two fingers.

    ¡°Hmm. Soul gem Sabere?¡±

    ¡°Yes sire.¡± Sabere answered while opening the lamp. He dropped the Soul Gem into the lamp and closed it. The lamp shook for a little bit and the voice of the genii chuckled faintly.

    ¡°Regardless, we accomplished a complete route. Sure, one ship got away. We have several ships captured.¡± Runtaii¡¯s heart brimmed with pride, read the many names of the galleys. Titles like Recor¡¯s Finger, Death¡¯s Gate, or something simple like the Barbed Lass.

    ¡°Do we actually have any sailors sire?¡±

    ¡°N-no¡­no. Perhaps we can hire some, which might make getting to Yutai Basin easier.¡± Runtaii gazed out to the harbor, imagining the fleets he would lead. Of course he had no fucking clue how to pilot a ship, but that would be of little obstacle.

    ¡°Apologies, sire. But we Assassins have a much better plan.¡± Sabere bowed as a tiny smirk rose on his face. Runtaii tilted his head to the side.

    ¡°What do you mean?¡±

    The moment he asked, hordes of bandits jumped down in the harbor. Of all creeds and shapes, these Iozian criminals quickly outnumbered the force.

    ¡°What is this?! Treason?!¡± Runtaii grabbed Sabere by the collar, spitting as he spoke.

    ¡°Calm yourself. Even with all of these ships, we couldn¡¯t take our army.¡± Sabere held his hands up showing no resistance. The Assassin pointed with his eyes all the bizarre bunch of bandits. ¡°However, give these bandits some ships and some arrows¡­¡± Runtaii released his grip from Sabere as his hand went to his beard.

    ¡°I see. Give them equipment and they can cause chaos in the Oligarchy.¡±

    ¡°Genius, isn¡¯t it?¡±

    ¡°Although, this doesn¡¯t change what you did. Why were you holding this plan from my ears? I would have been more than cooperative!¡± Runtaii exclaimed.

    ¡°Well¡­¡± Sabere¡­ didn¡¯t really have a good enough reason. If there was a reason, it was that he didn¡¯t want to go through Runtaii.

    ¡°Sabere. For you and your team have brought us victory today, I will overlook this act. However, whenever you come up with a plan, I wish to give input.¡±

    ¡°But-¡±

    ¡°No buts!¡± Runtaii grabbed the ear of Sabere, with the Assassin wincing in pain. The were horse chuckled and the were oryx shook its head in disappointment. Crowds of the criminals looked around at each other all confused. They thought they were getting a good deal, not good entertainment. ¡°We are in this fight together. Now, more than ever! Do I make myself clear?¡±

    ¡°Y-yes sire.¡± Sabere humored his commander and with that, Runtaii released his ear.

    ¡°Now, may we conduct our business?¡±

    Orders were set in place and plans between the bandits and the Tripolians were made. For exchange of the arrows and the ships, the bandits will bring back ten percent of the loot the plunder. Sentient merchandise included. Human especially.

    Admittedly most of the force were undisciplined outlaws, however Runtaii made sure they would follow orders by sending his fellow clansmen as their leaders. With the Galatii men piloting the War Trireme and being operated by two hundred of his loyal men, Runtaii knew that the bandits would follow his demands.

    And they were more than happy to have the company of soldiers and a small fleet behind them.

    As the ships set sail out of the Ruman Harbor, Runtaii helped Sabere onto his horse. The winter sky became dark as the first ship exitted the side of the volcano¡¯s waters and entered into the Ria Might river. They would being going to far. To the Yutai Basin. To Fort Jao. To Vein Xinyuai¡­

    ¡°Dice Highway. Ruman Harbor. What incredible things.¡± Runtaii spoke aloud to himself.

    ¡°Admiring the Oligarchs, sire?¡±

    ¡°Perhaps. Perhaps I am admiring our troops using their weapons against them. Perhaps this is the end of the destructive conflict.¡±

    ¡°...You know¡­ we Assassins have a saying for what you''re feeling.¡± Sabere¡¯s blank face expression glowed for a moment.

    ¡°Hah! And what is that?¡±

    ¡°The killing of the devil is the beginning of bliss.¡±

 Chapter 14: Vile Vice (Part 1!)

    Chapter 14: Vile Vice (Part 1!)

    It¡¯s a shame we don¡¯t have castles. Those vampires with their technology, and their sprawling monarchy. How they operate on these worshiped fortresses, is an envy to many politicians. I used to envy it too. But I have come to be content with the state of science and industry within my interested nations. Afterall, the Oligarchs have a favored ability to adapt to their enemies.

    Their rectangular shields, picked up from the Higatai tribe. Their helmets are reinforced with crests and brows, a design stolen from the Jukikos people a few centuries ago. And the Metallix Pox from their rivals, the Tripolians.

    Sadly, these Oligarchs have yet to adapt to social relations. It is easy to adapt the benefits of others, but what about the hideous gray area of seeing them as equals? If a person is capable of being vulnerable, then you have great people. An open hand and mind are more valuable than a hundred castles.

    The kid had spent the last half hour igniting the firecrackers. She tried taking a torch, but it didn''t work. She tried using black powder, it ended up freezing the firecrackers, don¡¯t ask me how that happened. In a last ditch effort, she decided to ask Amir for help. The Tripol disapproved of any use of black powder.

    Not out of hate, but of admiration. He knew of its ironic history. How some Kai Ren doctors were trying to make an elixir of eternal life. But managed to make the opposite, a dangerous weapon.

    Most of its applications were in smoke bombs and siege weapons. But when compared to a trebuchet hurling a boulder at a wall, they weren¡¯t very useful. It wasn¡¯t its use that bothered him. It was that such an elegant and complex chemical was being used for simple entertainment.

    ¡°~Kid, what did we talk about?~¡± He scolded, but Valiato didn¡¯t give up.

    ¡°~I know, but we¡¯re stuck here and I have nothing to do. Can I please do this, at least once?~¡± Amir took a scan of her face. He recognized the hidden mania in her, but knew that should have fun outside.

    ¡°~Here, take two of the flash sticks. Don¡¯t hold it against your glove.~¡± The kid hugged the arm of the Tripol and quickly exited.

    ¡°~Damn that boy.~¡± Amir whispered to himself. Skaldi was making a snowman outside, placing husks of breaker fruit to make expressions. He was enjoying the time, and he would enjoy it more being away from everyone. As he drank from his flask, Valiato came into vision.

    ¡°Ska! Amir gave me the flash sticks so we can do the fireworks!¡± She glowed with a nearly contagious excitement.

    ¡°Finally, now let¡¯s get to playing.¡± Skaldi had dug out a few holes in the ground, with the remaining husks of fruit acting as goals.

    ¡°You remember the rules? Use your feet to kick the firecrackers into the goals, and who gets the most wins.¡± Skaldi recalled, as Valiato rolled her eyes.

    ¡°Got it, let¡¯s do this!¡± They ignited the sticks, and started to light the firecrackers. She had played this game before, but never with this type of equipment. She fumbled the flickering lights of the firecracker, but swiftly tossed it to Skaldi. He knew that he would win if he put in any effort, so he only made modest attempts. Only blasting one husk, Valiato grew more excited.

    ¡°My turn. My turn!¡± She squealed. Skaldi threw the burning cylinder towards her feet, and she struck hard. Directing hitting a goal post, shattering more fruit on its explosion. This sport went on for a couple more minutes in this pattern. Skaldi goes easy on Valiato, her becoming the killer of dead fruit, the standard process for hanging out with a kid.

    As their game neared the end, Skaldi picked up the pace on blowing up her husks. He knew that a game is best appreciated if it is a close match.

    ¡°Just need one more goal post sweetpea. Show me what you got!¡± Skaldi goaded out her fury. As he tossed the firecracker to her, she got ready. A potential unleashed, as Valiato anchored her foot behind her. Releasing the energy of a hundred earthquakes, she hit the firecracker, and sent it to the final husk. It blew up on impact.

    ¡°Yes! I beat you, in your face!¡± Valiato had taken to doing a celebratory dance, similar to what Vega did a month ago. Skaldi was happy with the result. Although they still had more firecrackers, Skaldi wished to switch the tempo of the hangout.

    ¡°Calm down sweetpea. Now, let¡¯s build you a snowman.¡± He gave a trowel to her, as she started to dig up a pile of snow. Building her snowman, Valiato stared at Skaldi. He was taking long drags from his flask. She was used to this, but knew given enough time, he would be discomforting.

    ¡°Ska? Is something wrong?¡± She asked, hopeful for an unfeigned response.

    ¡°No. Nothing much aside from this place being not too pleasant. Sorry if I seemed to be in an odd mood earlier.¡± Skaldi gave a half truth to her. But he was insecure about more than that.

    ¡°That¡¯s good. Is it okay if I go hangout with Vega after this?¡± A needle stabbed Skaldi¡¯s heart. She was going to hangout with a scarecrow?

    ¡°That¡¯s¡­ good. But don¡¯t you think she¡¯s a little off?¡± He tried making his bitterness toward the hay girl into a bite sized sentence.

    ¡°What do you mean? She¡¯s funny, kind, and kind of the first friend I¡¯ve had.¡± Valiato smiled out, placing pebbles to make eyes on her snowman.

    ¡°Sure, sure. But, the voice she is talking about¡­¡±

    ¡°So? Don¡¯t you have a voice?¡±

    ¡°Yeah, we all have an inner voice of ourselves. But I think what she¡¯s talking about isn''t healthy.¡± He stuttered out.

    ¡°Well, she hasn¡¯t gotten us into trouble. She¡¯s got us gold, a wagon, and me that cute pony toy.¡± Valiato gushed at her achievements. Skaldi grew purple with shame. A scarecrow was outclassing him, and it didn¡¯t even know how to speak right.

    ¡°I don¡¯t want her to¡­ mess with you is all.¡± The elf admitted the truth. They were both silent for a while. Upon completing her snowman, she hugged the leg of Skaldi.

    ¡°Thanks for the hangout Ska. Can we do this again? With the girls tomorrow?¡± Skaldi held his disagreement to himself, and blew a sigh.

    ¡°Sure sweetpea. Now go inside, it¡¯ll get colder soon.¡± The kid ran back to the apartment, as Skaldi finished the rest of his flask. His skin turned to a frozen purple, shameful.

    Vega was painting the nails of Florato, who was a tad bit more upset than usual. Bolato was still fast asleep, while Amir was putting on more makeup.

    ¡°Are ya alright Florato? Ya seem to be going through what the priests call, ¡®a bout of being a bitch¡¯.¡± Vega presented the idea, but the actress was not having it.

    ¡°Shut up, and be careful with the polish. I-¡±

    ¡°We.¡± Vega corrected.

    ¡°We paid a lot of money for this stuff.¡± Florato had finished her left hand, but Vega wanted to try and apply it.

    This narrative has been purloined without the author''s approval. Report any appearances on Amazon.

    ¡°Got it. Why did ya choose gold polish again?¡±

    ¡°Status symbol. Also it goes nice with my hair.¡± Florato threw her hair to the side, just as Valiato came in. She opened her mouth to talk to the scarecrow, but was quickly mesmerized by the nails.

    ¡°What are you guys doing to your fingers?¡± Valiato gasped at the act.

    ¡°Finger painting.¡± Valiato admitted.

    ¡°Nail painting.¡± Florato admitted correctly.

    ¡°Can I try?¡± Valiato was hopping up and down.

    ¡°~Amir. Valiato.~¡± The actress spoke, shooting her eyes at Amir, who promptly got up.

    ¡°~Kid, do you know what you''re doing?~¡±

    ¡°~Nail painting?~¡± Valiato didn¡¯t notice what was wrong.

    ¡°~No. Although the lady is trustworthy, you are choosing to show your scar when doing this act. What do you think that will do?~¡± Amir used this moment to gauge his daughter¡¯s critical thinking.

    ¡°~She¡¯s not insensitive to me Amir. Plus, she went out of her way to talk to you.~¡± Valiato was confident in her remark. Amir brushed his face, and took a glance at the pair.

    ¡°~Do you know what that will do? Showing your scar?~¡±

    ¡°~Ari, you¡¯re not being very fun right now.~¡± Valiato somberly spoke, casting her eyes down. She didn¡¯t know of the pains of hate, she only knew that certain people shouldn¡¯t know what she was.

    ¡°~You judge people too much Ari.~¡± She turned away, striking Amir¡¯s weak lungs hard. He didn¡¯t get up to lecture her, and he returned to reading his book.

    ¡°What did your dad-dad say?¡± Vega questioned, still painting the thumbnail of Florato.

    ¡°He said that I could, just that you should show me how.¡± Florato couldn¡¯t determine the words of the conversation, nor the tone. So did Vega.

    ¡°Alright then. You can choose any color aside from gold, since that¡¯s mine.¡± Florato reclined onto the couch, trying to ease a pain in her. Valiato guided her finger atop the caps of the polish. The bottles were of clay corresponding to the color inside. She picked up one and stared at it in an invisible glee.

    ¡°Pink. I wonder how it will look.¡±

    ¡°Good choice-choice. It¡¯s the same color as blood-blood.¡± Vega cheered out, leaving the pair in a stupidity stupor. Vega finished, with Florato laying her hands flat across a desk.

    ¡°How long does it take Florato? Because I kind of want to play later.¡± Florato shrugged, as she saw Vega getting ready to apply the polish.

    ¡°Sometimes an hour or so. But don¡¯t worry, you can use your fingers in a couple of minutes.¡± Valiato looked at the sand timer in the room.

    ¡°Can ya take off your gloves? Unless ya want me to paint them, which I can-can if ya want-want?¡± Valiato, without worry, took off her gloves.

    The brown brand from all those years ago poisoned her hand. Florato saw it, and felt a disgust rise. But she suppressed it.

    ¡°Sorry about what happened to you kid. That just ain¡¯t right.¡± Florato said, looking at the kid with a sense of pity.

    ¡°It¡¯s okay. It¡¯s not like you did it to me. So long as you know I¡¯m a person, then it¡¯s alright.¡± Valiato smiled. She was a victim yes, but one that had grown strong. No wounds beyond the physical.

    ¡°You never had your nails painted?¡± Florato asked, as she closed her eyes and shifted into a more comfortable position.

    ¡°No, I never even heard it before.¡± Valiato spoke in a perplexed tone, showing her lack of understanding of the practices of the Iozians.

    ¡°But ya have make-makeup on your face.¡± Vega pointed at her green blush.

    ¡°Well, makeup has a purpose.¡± Valiato waved her hand, also not knowing the relation of makeup and nail polish.

    ¡°And that purpose being?¡± Florato leaned forward, raising a brow at her.

    ¡°It protects us¡­ from stuff.¡± Florato wasn¡¯t buying it.

    ¡°Can you ask your dad what its purpose is? I bet it''s something awesome. Like protecting you from the sun.¡± The actress proposed.

    ¡°Or from the moon-moon!¡± Vega spoke up, now finished with the first hand. Valiato knew that the make-up purpose was important to Amir. It was on him when she first meet him, and it was on him as far as the couple told her. THe idea of the librarian came back to her. Perhaps the make up was magical, and enabled him to better analyze text and media.

    But then again, just because you can read it doesn¡¯t mean you could understand it, much less agree with it. Valiato kept these thoughts to herself.

    ¡°And done! Look at ya hands, they¡¯re very pretty.¡± Vega squeezed the wrist of the kid, just as Skaldi entered. What he saw was less than pleasant.

    ¡°Have you girls used any of the black polish? I swear cause I-

    ¡°We.¡± Florato and Vega corrected.

    ¡°We worked hard for that money.¡± Skaldi held up a fist and he looked for the black polish bottle.

    ¡°Calm down Skaldi. We still have plenty of gold from the concert. All we have to do is wait out this blizzard. Let¡¯s be friends and talk about fun stuff.¡± Florato stuttered, as some unknown discomfort started to strike her.

    ¡°And what stories do you have, girl?¡± Skaldi started to apply the polish on his fingers. Vega went to do it for him, but he waved her away.

    ¡°Something¡­ like¡­ ouch!¡± Florato gripped her belly in pain, as everyone looked towards her.

    ¡°Sorry, just¡­ going through a cramp.¡± Florato went to get up but struggled to. Vega went to her side and helped her off the couch.

    ¡°What¡¯s a cramp? Is that like a food you ate or something?¡± Skaldi asked, putting down his brush.

    ¡°No! What are you, stupid? It¡¯s¡­ a cramp! From like, a period?¡± Skaldi had no idea what Florato had just said. Neither did anyone else aside Vega.

    ¡°What¡¯s that?¡± Skaldi questioned, as Florato¡¯s face turned from discomfort to shock.

    ¡°You don¡¯t know what it is? Does the kid know what it is? She¡¯s thirteen, she has to know what that is!¡± Florato yelled, fueled by the discomfort in her stomach. Skaldi turned away in bitter disgust.

    ¡°Whatever that is, it¡¯s annoying. Can¡¯t you just hold it in?¡± Skaldi held his tongue out, disturbed at Florato.

    ¡°That¡¯s not how it works!¡± The actress shouted.

    ¡°~Hey Ari. What¡¯s a period?~¡±

    ¡°~The dot at the end of a sentence. Why do you ask, daughter?~¡± Amir noticed the state of the actress, but had no idea how a period correlated to her mood.

    ¡°Calm down-down everybody, maybe I can explain.¡± Vega sat Florato onto a chair, and tossed her turquoise colored berries.

    ¡°Eat those-those. Natural pain killers, and laxatives!¡± Florato chewed slowly, she held hope that everyone would know her pain.

    ¡°Valiato. A period is thing a girl gets from Recor. He gives it to ya-ya to show that you¡¯re becoming a woman. Ya will start-start bleeding from your private parts, feel horrible pain-pain, and everyone will hate ya when ya have it! It¡¯s a gift from god!¡± Everyone was stunned.

    ¡°So girls bleed from their balls?¡± Skaldi muttered to himself. Valiato got into a fetal position and rocked in place.

    ¡°Not exactly the way I would¡­ have described it. But yeah, that¡¯s the lore for periods. Now please, take me to the bathroom. And get me something sweet to eat.¡± The scarecrow lifted the actress into a bridal position, and raced off outside.

    ¡°Hey Ska¡­¡±

    ¡°Yeah kid?¡±

    ¡°Girls really suck.¡± Skaldi held his eyes to the door that the scarecrow went out of.

    ¡°I know sweetpea. I know.¡±

    After an hour and a half of pure hell, Florato exited the woman¡¯s latrine as a new lady. She was happy and cheerful, like she didn¡¯t feel like dying just a mintue before.

    ¡°Are ya okay Florato? And before ya ask, I¡¯m out of quail¡¯s eggs and fish scales for you to eat.¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m doing much better now, thanks to you. Come here!¡± Florato picked up the scarecrow, lifting her into the air.

    ¡°Aw. Hugs are nice.¡±

    ¡°Thanks.¡± Kaliba croaked, poking the head of the scarecrow.

    ¡°Sorry, we should really get some pills. I don¡¯t want to keep spending our cash, but I do not want to be that miserable again.¡±

    ¡°No worries. Let¡¯s go buy stuff!¡± Both strolled down mainstreet, and noticed the people putting up decorations. Paper lanterns with Kai Ren characters, the mayor ordering his men to be on high alert, and the new bustle in the town.

    ¡°I can¡¯t wait for this feast. It¡¯s been a while since I had roast frost duck.¡± Florato licked her lips.

    ¡°Shame I can¡¯t go. Oh well-well.¡± Vega said the statement like there wasn¡¯t anything wrong with it.

    ¡°What? Did the town say you can¡¯t go or something?¡± Florato¡¯s brows became fierce.

    ¡°It¡¯s nothing wrong-wrong. I¡¯m used to not being invited, or allowed. It¡¯s okay, these events are not meant for ghosts.¡± Vega smiled at the kids skipping and the men setting up fireworks.

    ¡°But, don¡¯t you want to go?¡± Florato put a hand on the scarecrow¡¯s shoulder.

    ¡°It¡¯s okay Florato.¡± Vega¡¯s voice went cold as a corpse.

    ¡°It¡¯s okay that I¡¯m not wanted here.¡±

 Chapter 14: Vile Vice (Part 2!)

    Chapter 14: Vile Vice (Part 2!)

    Vega continued to walk as Florato stopped in her tracks. Florato had never heard someone say that about themselves. She knew those feelings and sentiments about being rejected existed in lowered eyes and seclusion. But never had she heard it said, and especially by such a voice.

    ¡°Right, Vega¡­ let¡¯s at least do something in this place. After seeing that¡­ dead guy, it¡¯s getting tough to sleep on time.¡±

    ¡°Don¡¯t worry, I buried him-him. He should be in heaven with Recor.¡± Vega looked up to the clouds, still pouring snow at a steady pace.

    ¡°Hope so. When I pass, I want to get buried. Screw wandering alone till the end of time. Dirt and some flowers will do me some good.¡± Florato put on her hood, still cold. Vega took to holding her hand, seeing her shivering.

    The town stared at them, holding their foul images in its mind. Men, women, children and teens, all took quick looks as they passed by. Plenty stood and watched as an animated scarecrow walked past, as if she thought herself normal. Florato got glances, but more for her form rather than being out of place. The actress was used to the revolting stares of men, but these stares were coming more from the women.

    It is a tragedy really, women preying on other women that succeed the beauty standard that so often makes them enemies rather than allies. They confuse this belief that ladies must have this hip size or that bust size as a belief that should define them. Sadly, they attack the women that fit this mold as though they are the one oppressing them.

    I remember a time where fellow girls called each other sisters and friends. Now they call each other whores and bitches.

    ¡°Maybe we can help-help some people first.¡± The pair saw the thinner residents of the basin. It appeared that their harvest of breaker fruit and tundra fish was poor. Definitely hadn¡¯t suffered a raid like the fields up north, but it likely resulted in supplies not getting into the town.

    ¡°How about the temple? Donations can get ya into heaven quick!¡± Vega pulled the actress to the temple.

    ¡°And how much exactly do we need to give to get blessed quick scheme?¡± Florato shifted her brows. She practiced Recorianism but clearly had some problems with the clergy.

    ¡°About a million gold. But every coin counts!¡± Vega had participated in the act of collecting donations for the temple. It was used to order holy books, invite wise men, and increase the size of the Priest¡¯s fleet of horses. Horses were quite the status symbol, but Vega didn¡¯t understand why he got them. Shouldn¡¯t he be humble like everyone else, she thought.

    ¡°You know what, maybe we should pay that temple a visit. Along with their priest.¡± Florato muttered to herself, ready to get her friend back into the feast by any means necessary.

    The temple here was in a lesser state. Not that it was in disrepair, but its atmosphere was that of a watering hole rather than a place to worship. Cobblestone walls, a gateway with roof tiles extending all around it. Vega opened the wooden gate, and the pair entered.

    They navigated a series of courtyards, spacious and with a flowing pond.

    ¡°Never seen a temple like this-this. What saint do ya think this place is for?¡±

    ¡°Don¡¯t know. Maybe Ba-Liato, or Guang Dia.¡± Florato shrugged, scanning the naked environment. Most temples didn¡¯t sport many decorations on the outside. Just as you don¡¯t see organs on the outside. If you did, that would be a bad sign of health.

    ¡°Did college teach ya who they were?¡±

    ¡°Not much besides that they were a bunch of old guys that prayed a lot.¡± Florato remarked, trying to come up with something of interest.

    ¡°The best saints usually do that.¡± Vega smiled. Aside from the wilderness, holy places interested her. While not for the people, but of the relations such a place spawned.

    As they walked around, they both noticed a distinct lack of people. The courtyard was a park, with pathways and groves. It was trimmed and cultivated, but there was a strangeness about it. Despite all the plant life, it seemed barren.

    ¡°Wonder. Who-who keeps this place clean?¡± Just as the pair crossed over a bridge, a shining star hopped out. It looked to be a glowing butterfly, but had an odd star-like glint to it. A squeaking from it came out.

    ¡°Oh. Hello!¡± Vega waved to the star.

    ¡°Who are you talking to? The butterfly?¡± Florato squinted her eyes, and the image revealed itself. She saw a tiny humanoid, and its squeaks turned into yells. Sardonic screams shot out.

    ¡°Stop! Stop! Don¡¯t go any further or I¡¯ll have to take your virginity!¡± The floating being screeched.

    ¡°Go ahead, I don¡¯t have it anymore.¡± Florato called as she walked past it, while Vega attempted to poke it.

    ¡°Damn it, can¡¯t let you through. Stop! Or I¡¯ll strangle your babies!¡± The being raced to the face of the actress, who was visibly irradiated.

    ¡°If I wasn''t friends with Vega, I would have strangled you.¡± Florato whispered into the ear of the being, and continued forward. The butterfly was horrified at what it heard, and Vega grabbed it.

    ¡°Oh! Ya must be a Gello! What¡¯s a demon doing a place of Recor?¡± Vega brushed the head of the demon, just like a kid would to a toy.

    ¡°Let go of me!¡± It tried to bite the glove of the scarecrow, but it chewed into her steel wires. Vega released the being, as it backed away. Struggling to breathe, it lowered onto Kaliba.

    ¡°You two, the priest isn¡¯t ready for the ceremony yet! She needs time to prepare, and there''s no one to help her!¡± The demon lay on its back, and on the back of Kaliba.

    ¡°Help? I¡¯m right on it!¡± Vega sprinted to the main temple building, catching up to Florato.

    ¡°So, did you strangle the thing or¡­¡± Florato gestured to the scarecrow.

    ¡°Nah. Turns out this little gal is a Gello. A demon that-that brings infertility and death to kids. Ain¡¯t that amazing?¡± Vega lifted the demon to the eyes of the actress. Florato raised her head slowly. After a moment, she decided to nod.

    Stolen story; please report.

    ¡°I don¡¯t do that anymore. And, what are you two doing here? The ceremony isn''t due until tomorrow.¡±

    ¡°You know, just following my friend because she decided we should do an act of charity before going shopping. Also she¡¯s the only person that pays me a decent wage.¡± Florato sat down on the steps to the temple.

    ¡°What, do the mortals pay you a couple of silvers to wear a metal bikini?¡± The demon looked the actress up and down.

    ¡°...exactly¡­¡±

    ¡°Well, if you want to help the priest that''s fine. Just remember, she doesn¡¯t like outsiders much.¡± The demon crossed its arms, and lowered its head.

    ¡°So, she¡¯s just a priest?¡±

    ¡°Exactly.¡± The actress pushed the door open, and the pair felt a gust of old air come out as they came in.

    The entire building was really huge, almost cathedral-like. It was stacks upon stacks of birch planks, and felt like an airtight hole. The central pillars were of marble columns, decorated with a jade wind surrounding them. Before them was a wooden altar, bare compared to the pillars.

    ¡°Nice.¡± Kaliba tweeted.

    ¡°This is the Temple Aiato, of Saint Aiato. She¡¯s actually the ancestor of the priest, but that¡¯s not what you¡¯re here for.¡± The demon remarked. Everyone turned to wood striking wood. A pair of feet wearing blocky sandals appeared from a hallway.

    The priest here wore a long dress, and her hands were that of worn leather.

    Women priests were a rarity, as most of the feminine side of the clergy were Vestals. Vestals were the youthful paddles of the religious boat of Recorianism, and the priests were the sails. But this priest was remarkably young, likely a teenager. Her hair was dyed a mixture of red and white, an old Iozian custom.

    At her side, seemed to be another girl, around her age but twice as tall. Wearing the sleeveless robes of a vestal, she mirrored the priest, who was concealed aside than her head. Despite her age, the priestess looked to be trying to look taller than she was, always standing on her toes.

    ¡°Halt! What are you doing in the house of Recor?¡± She seemed to be trying out an accent, one that hadn¡¯t been heard in this town for a century.

    ¡°Hello! Do ya need help?¡±

    ¡°...did the scarecrow just talk?¡± Her accent disappeared in favor of a high pitched kiddy voice.

    ¡°Yes, Vega is a scarecrow that talks. Now, priestess, do you need help?¡± Florato was ready to do whatever it took to get Vega back into the feast.

    ¡°Because it seems like your toes do.¡± The demon snidely spoke, her cruel demeanor returned.

    ¡°Shut up! Now, my flock, what is the matter?¡± Florato was not having this, she felt insulted by the priest¡¯s voice. She was judging her blocking, her projection, everything. Why was the teenager acting this part so poorly, she thought.

    ¡°Just trying to get my friend back for the festival.¡± Florato called out, now approaching the teenage clergy member.

    ¡°Listen, my child-¡± The priestess didn¡¯t even measure up to Florato¡¯s shoulder.

    ¡°No, you shut up!¡± Florato held her hand against the mouth of the teenager. The vestal was stunned, but everyone including Vega didn¡¯t care to stop her.

    ¡°Look here. If you¡¯re going to act all old and wise, maybe take an acting class or two. Second! My friend has been waiting to help you with the ceremony, and she¡¯s not allowed to join it! You are going to fix this! I swear to Recor if you don¡¯t, I will shove my hand so far up your ass, I will make you a puppet!¡± The actress'' fury echoed throughout the holy place.

    ¡°Ok? Now, how can we help you with the feast or whatever?¡± Florato said, as both of the clergy members sweated in their place.

    ¡°Right¡­ follow us¡­¡± The long and spinning halls made their trip into the temple a calm one again. They eventually reached a hall covered in tablets, with engravings displaying the great deeds of the ancestors of the town and temple.

    ¡°This is the hall of achievements! Hunters, marshalls, and wisemen are shown their respect here.¡± The ancient accent returned.

    ¡°Ya know ya don¡¯t have to prove anything to us. It¡¯s okay if ya have a weird voice.¡± Vega chimed, breaking the priestess train of thought.

    ¡°I still can¡¯t believe that thing is talking¡­¡± The priestess spoke, wiping a droplet of sweat off.

    ¡°It¡¯s not a thing, she¡¯s a person.¡± Florato corrected.

    ¡°To be honest, is she even all there? I half thought she was just a really big kid.¡± The demon remarked.

    ¡°Tai Pai, you will insult children again!¡± The vestal lectured, with the low tone a parent would to a child. Florato pointed at her ear, gesturing that she would continue to listen and for the priest to continue.

    ¡°But the problem is we have to choose an ancestor for the ceremony. And then I have to prepare a speech to the town.¡± The priestess spoke again in her high pitched voice.

    ¡°Oh, you¡¯re not comfortable speaking in crowds?¡± Vega prodded, as she walked up to the clergy members. The priestess looked down, but the vestal nodded for her.

    ¡°Wait, then how did you get the job of being a priest?¡± Florato pressed.

    ¡°Hush! Like you know anything about God, blondie!¡± The priestess hissed, as the vestal beside her looked ashamed.

    ¡°Sorry, it¡¯s just not something we like to talk about right now.¡± The vestal spoke in a merely educational manner, trying to maintain a sense of peace in the temple.

    ¡°But please, strangers. Follow me if you wish to help.¡± The vestal guided them to another room. The walls were a thin purple, and there were stoves and pot boiling. Beside them was a person laying on a bed.

    She saw a middle aged woman, with a wooden arrow piercing her stomach. Bandaged and healing, but drinking medicine to maintain her punctured organs. Attending her was another vestal a few years older.

    ¡°It¡¯s my mom. She got hit by a Tripolian¡¯s arrow and she can¡¯t perform it.¡± The priestess lay a hand on her, and the elder woman brushed the hair of the priestess.

    ¡°My daughter, who are these foreigners? Have you hired them as entertainers?¡± The mother''s glassy orange eyes looked at the pair. There was a faint fog on them, as she went to reach for her spectacles.

    ¡°Don¡¯t worry about them mom, stop moving. You might reopen the wound.¡± Florato blew a sigh and stepped towards the priestess.

    ¡°Alright. How about this, I help your mom and the nurse, and Vega gets back into the feast?¡± The priestess furrowed her brow, and turned back to the bed.

    ¡°No. It¡¯s going to take more than that tribal.¡± Florato looked like she was about to explode, but Vega laid a hand on her.

    ¡°Hold on, priest lady. I know we¡¯re different to ya, but imagine how we feel. We¡¯re willing to help ya, your mom, and this whole temple. And what are ya doing?¡± The priestess was taken aback by the statement. She tried to summon an argument but her mouth closed before she could.

    ¡°Sure, I talk-talk funny. And Florato¡¯s got that weird hair. But behind that, we¡¯re all people just trying to be happy. I remember something the-the priest said once.¡± Suddenly, Vega¡¯s projecting eyes returned, along with her soft cadence.

    ¡°Underneath a crime, a violation, of an outsider or enemy, is a person. Flawed, but absolutely deserving of dignity. It becomes easy to call them a ¡®bad guy¡¯. It makes them less than what they are. Oppressors, even priests like me, are people. Criminals are people who have done wrong.¡± Everyone in the room had been captivated. All except Florato, who recognized the same manner Vega was in yesterday.

    ¡°Hell, if we can acknowledge the presence of a dumb scarecrow that has a speech impediment, we have achieved greater godliness. And if we can empathize with that ghost, then we are capable of empathizing with everyone.¡± The priestess held her hands to her chest. She seemed to be listening. Not with her ears, but her soul.

    ¡°These people are yourselves too. Give them the chance that you deserve. Give them the chance of being anything beyond nothing.¡± Vega¡¯s projecting eyes closed, and opened to the scribbled lenses that were normal.

    ¡°Believe that they matter, that they are there. And know them as equal.¡± Vega¡¯s smile returned, along with the peace of the holy place.

 Chapter 15: Inadequate Icons

    Chapter 15: Inadequate Icons

    The Priest never really practiced what he preached, but the town with its few people did. After that sermon, people had actually started to (get this!) wave back at Vega! What amazing progress!

    Progress in the temple, sadly, would be slow.

    ¡°So please. Can-can ya understand Florato, and treat her with the respect she deserves?¡± Florato¡¯s suspicion melted, as admiration took hold.

    ¡°...fine. You guys can help. But only with specific things, okay?¡± The priestess requested. Florato looked at the scarecrow, who winked. This was good work for changing the mind of the priestess, even if only a little.

    The work for the feast was underway, as the crew started to practice the placement of tablets, certain plates and discs, and the altar to sacrifice a goat onto. The priestess appeared to be dreading that, with the vestal constantly holding her up during the practice.

    While she had discipline in her, it was skirmishing with her confidence. What is a routine without calm?

    As this happened, Florato worked with the freshness and athleticism of women today. Her tribal parts kicked in as well as her diligence and strength did. The clergy found her lifting of heavy objects and manner of work agreeable. After all, most people, especially self possessed women, aren¡¯t completely at ease when in the presence of priests they just met, much less working for.

    Adapting to circumstances unfavoring was the actress¡¯s specialty. But as for Vega, not so much. Being in this new religious environment spawned the believed necessity of preliminary tip toeing around, such as with the demon.

    ¡°So-so! How did ya come to love Recor?¡± Vega cheered out, ready to hear another¡¯s guaranteed admiration for their creator.

    ¡°Define love, construct.¡± The flying star spoke, half mockingly, ¡°Because last I checked, Nemesis has a lot more to do with me than Recor.¡± The demon remarked on Nemesis like how an upset child would to parents.

    ¡°Well, Recor created the continent, and therefore us-us. So, being alive is a good-good thing, and thus ya must love him! Don¡¯t ya Gello?¡± Vega continued forward down a flight of stairs, as the demon was left horrified. This construct is dumb as shit, is what she believed.

    ¡°First off, my name''s Tai. Second, I¡¯m a demon, formerly technically. Why exactly should I care about my deadbeat dad?¡± Tai hopped onto Kaliba, who shuttered as she landed.

    ¡°Because ya are in the temple. Demons aren¡¯t allowed into temples without reason.¡± Vega stopped at a shelf and started to acquire the required texts for the feast. Again, the demon was stunned. Starting to realize that maybe Vega is brighter than she thought.

    ¡°But maybe the priestess-tess gave ya a key or something¡­¡± Nope. She was dumb as bricks.

    ¡°Well, you¡¯re half right. I like the priestess, and that kind of counts for Recor technically. It¡¯s like saying you like fish, then it somehow counts for liking the ocean. Recor is weird like that.¡± Vega recorded these thoughts, it was her first encounter with a real demon. She wondered how it would be to meet a spirit next.

    ¡°Weird.¡± Kaliba cried.

    ¡°Yeah. Yeah indeed bird buddy.¡± Tai whistled out.

    ¡°Sorry if I asked too many questions. It¡¯s my-my first time meeting something so wonderful.¡± Vega cheered again, lacking the prejudice that often accompanies talk about demons, ¡°But, how did ya join this place? Was it the priest?¡±

    The demon sucked in air, recalling the past. She stared at the old wooden walls, and the even older scratch marks she put into them.

    ¡°Well, it was actually the priest''s mother. I came in one night, ready to end the kid, when she came up to me. I thought she was going to throw salt or holy water at me, but she just¡­ gave me a hug.¡±

    ¡°Hugs are nice.¡± Vega replied.

    ¡°Yeah they are. After that, it was a long path of self reflection and changing to this new place.¡± Tai took a moment to consider what to say next, closing her eyes to brace against rejection. ¡°Hey scarecrow, have you ever heard of a demon turning into a spirit?¡± The questions had a grief voice to it, moving Vega to akinder and tender act.

    The scarecrow hugged the demon.

    ¡°Yep-yep! I haven¡¯t seen it, but I know about some demons becoming spirits! There is this spirit Carmody, once-once a greedy demon that eventually became a spirit of humility. Sure-sure, he still likes money, but he is a new person now-now.¡± Vega said with enthusiasm, like how a fan does to a celebrity''s accomplishments.

    Tai felt a warmth come to her, not from the body of Vega, but of her persona. It takes a lot of progress to become better, just a step is to a journey of a thousand miles. She was glad, even though unintentional, that Vega recognized the effort.

    ¡°Yeah, yeah gotcha. Now let¡¯s get back to work. And let me help you with the scripts. The priest is gonna need it.¡±

    Florato heaved the platform onto the altar. It needed some painting. Red, as was tradition. The vestal carried a tray of paints and placed them beside her.

    ¡°How is the work going, tribal?¡±

    ¡°You do know I have a name right?¡± Florato shot a glance at the vestal. She looked small as she painted the platform. The actress understood this pose. This longing for another.

    ¡°Sorry, it¡¯s not often we meet outsiders. Contact is very limited, and Recor bless us, we might only have a few newcomers a year.¡± Her remark came out as glad to the lack of visitors.

    ¡°Well, don¡¯t worry kid. Give us a day or so and we¡¯ll be out of your hair.¡± The actress handed the vestal her desired paints, first with background colors, then with defining shapes. The platform became a background, and now began to resemble a gray battlement.

    ¡°Tell me, how does your hair work?¡± The vestal awkwardly blurted out, nearly messing up the paint as she shocked herself by saying it.

    ¡°It¡¯s just wavy hair, it''s just fibers that naturally form the shape and it looks like a wave. Why? Do you want some?¡± Florato said jokingly, not trying to spark more conversation. The vestal was in deep reflection, much to the actress¡¯s shock.

    ¡°Perhaps. How does your skin work?¡± Florato had never encountered such brash, but purely innocent interrogation like this.

    ¡°My people are the Jukikos tribe, we live next to the coasts up north. We lived in the sunlight for a long time and therefore, we have skin the color of chocolate.¡± Florato was proud of her difference. In a sea of white and pales, she stood out as a beacon of colored charm.

    ¡°Can¡­ Can I touch it?¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m not that kind of actress, kid.¡± Florato chastised her.

    ¡°Sorry! I didn¡¯t mean it like that¡­ I just want to see how your hair feels, is all. I¡¯m sorry if I offend.¡± The vestal bowed in apology. The actress couldn¡¯t be mad at such an ignorant girl. Plus, she wasn¡¯t arrogant.

    ¡°Calm down. I get it, seeing a person so different.¡± Florato waved the vestal forward. ¡°Just remember, I feel pain too, you know.¡± The vestal stepped forward, holding out her hands to the scalp of the actress. The vestal laid a few fingers onto her, and began to brush.

    ¡°Wow. It feels¡­ good. How does that happen?¡± The vestal said enviously.

    ¡°Well it''s a little thing called shampoo. It¡¯s this magical thing that turns wire-like hair into luxurious thick art.¡± Florato pushed up her hair, and the vestal admired it, savoring the feeling.

    This story has been taken without authorization. Report any sightings.

    ¡°Shame. I wish I could have that hair.¡± Florato knew the feeling, to have the qualities inherent in certain peoples. When she was a young babe, she felt the same to people with colored eyes. As emeralds and diamonds are uncommon for the color of paler skins, yellow and oranges were for darker skin folk.

    She once desired the status of having eyes beyond the standard brown and blacks. Seeking the end of her insecurity, Florato came up with a plan.

    ¡°You know, there is a way to do it. But you must promise to use it for good.¡± Florato stood up, gesturing to the young girl. She enchanted the girl with her interest, and pulled her off into another room. As she raced off into a secluded section of the temple, they passed by another woman working.

    ¡°Hello mother! Bye mother!¡± Florato upon getting to a clean chair, placed the vestal onto it.

    ¡°There is a mystical art of disguise, one only used by assassins and actors alike. The art of using paper to create change.¡± She unpacked her bag, pulling out a roll of papers. Florato used the paper to create knots in the hair of the vestal, as she awaited wide eyed. She was very interested, even as the knots pulled on her hair tight.

    Florato showed her how to make such knots with great speed, and with greater excitement. Florato, although trained for acting, also had a passion for the transformation of a person for performance. Once she even made a prosthetic nose to better play the act of a warlord.

    ¡°Keep these knots in your hair for a couple hours to a day, and your hair will become a new shape for a time.¡± The vestal felt a tad uncomfortable, but was reassured by the smile of Florato. She wasn¡¯t deliberately trying to harm her. In fact, she now knew she was just like the actress. Simply enjoying humanity at its finest, regardless of outsider and insider.

    The priestess was in a terrible mood, shuttering at the last chosen ancestors. Her fear was taking hold, as it often does when she aided in service. She didn¡¯t dislike the worship of Recor, but felt that she couldn¡¯t do the service justice. Plenty of thought is given to the flock, but what about her?

    Prayers are more often given to the church goer rather than the one that makes sure there is a church to go to, is what the priest knew. It was extra unpleasant for those foreigners to be aiding her. Instead of an oppositional attitude, they were supposedly helping her.

    It was not that they were particularly frightening, that¡¯s silly. But of the disorder, like how a tree stump butchered and cleaved and yet would encourage forestry. It didn¡¯t make sense to her. This was clearly not their domain.

    These Iozians had little idea about the other side. But even if they were unknowing of the lives of others, they could certainly try. The priestess didn¡¯t.

    ¡°Hey priestess girl-girl! We got the stuff ya wanted!¡± Vega climbed off the stairs, with the now kind Tai.

    ¡°With the specific names? I want this feast to be remembered, not willfully forgotten.¡±

    ¡°No worries, I made sure she got the stuff. How¡¯s the choosing of the ancestor on your end?¡± Tai called out, as the priestess turned back to the sheets. Needing to show proper and earned respect for an ancestor was common for these Kai Ren, but it was ensuring all of them mattered. Although one could have favorites, it is important to such people to know that they all mattered.

    ¡°N-no¡­ Not yet. Tell me Tai Pai, will there be children at the feast, or will the grannies take care of them this time.¡± The priestess spoke, in her unstable tenor.

    ¡°They say that they¡¯re gonna stay in the armory with the grannies but I say that some of them are gonna try to sneak off.¡±

    ¡°Bastards.¡±

    ¡°Kids tend to be that.¡± The demon chuckled out.

    ¡°Now that-that ya got the texts, what do we need to do now-now?¡¯¡± Vega leaned close to the priestess, startling her.

    ¡°Go take care of the banners, and pick out these herbs.¡± She tossed a scroll to the demon. Tai caught, but lifted a hand to ask for help. The priestess walked away before she could. She didn¡¯t care that Tai couldn¡¯t read, she just wanted to be out of sight of the construct.

    ¡°Ah, Jera powder, Fitanon powder, and an elixir.¡± Tai recoiled at Vega¡¯s reading of the list.

    ¡°You can read? I¡¯m starting to feel inadequate.¡± Scratching her cheek, Tai recounted her form. How pathetic it was compared to humans and other sentient beings. She was struck in an oppressive loop.

    ¡°For-for?¡±

    ¡° I don¡¯t know. A demon relying on a scarecrow knowing how to read. Ain¡¯t that a bit shameful?¡± Tai lowered her head in defeat.

    ¡°More shameful than racism at the workplace?¡± Vega¡¯s projecting eyes came back.

    ¡°The fucks a racism?¡± Tai raised a brow at the scarecrow, as her eyes returned back to normal. ¡°Oh, whatever.¡± Tai took Vega¡¯s hand to guide her, she didn¡¯t care for what had just said Vega anymore. Heading further up, the temple¡¯s bare and basic walls shifted in more detailed and decorative art. Demonstrating the ascent to heaven, for these Recorians was called the Sea of Shining Crystals, the ornamentation would increase each step.

    ¡°Have ya been to heaven before Tai-Tai?¡± Tai took a moment to respond, analyzing the temple¡¯s depiction of heaven. What she saw was swirling and flowing bodies turning into a rainbow. And all across the walls were sculptures of blind eyes. Remarkably, those blind eyes were the only uncolored parts of the upper floors.

    ¡°No. Heaven¡¯s for good people and spirits that have finished their job. I still got a lot of work ahead of me.¡± Tai said, without great insecurity. Vega took that from her.

    ¡°Say, have ya¡­ ever hear voices sometimes?¡± Vega frowned for a moment as she asked.

    ¡°Sometimes? Scarecrow, divine beings always hear stuff. From the prayer of a nearby holyman, or the curses of the wicked. We always hear that stuff, it only takes some time to know what you should listen to. Why do you ask?¡±

    ¡°Well-well, I have been hearing a voice. Someone asking, no, telling me to help.¡± Vega tried not to look at Tai as she spoke.

    ¡°What does it sound like? Is it your own voice?¡± Tai asked, as the pair reached a hallway.

    ¡°Kinda, just¡­ sounds new.¡± Vega wasn¡¯t exactly clear in her tone, more showing off her own confusion.

    ¡°Maybe it¡¯s because you¡¯re in some new places. Do you go on trips this long often?¡± She gently questioned,attempting to guide Vega¡¯s thoughts. She knew there was wisdom, but there wasn¡¯t much intellect.

    ¡°Not really. The reason I-I got here is because of the voice. It just sort of¡­ happened back in my home.¡± Tai sighed, and opened the door.

    ¡°If there¡¯s anything I can tell you about people¡¯s voices, it is that you have to learn which one you listen to. Got that?¡± Vega nodded before considering whether or not her next question would be fruitful.

    ¡°Do¡­ ya know anything about a Kaliber? Have you heard a voice say that recently?¡± Vega beckoned, taking a quick look at the demon.

    ¡°Yeah, yeah I have. But I heard approximately¡­ five hundred miles away so¡­ I doubt it''s the Kaliber you¡¯re talking about.¡± Tai finished

    If Vega had a heart, it would be soothed right then. Tai''s answer gave her reassurance. That the voice was real and happening.

    Florato finished the painting as the vestal was resting in the adjacent room. She wasn¡¯t a good artist, but she applied the same patience that was required to become one.

    ¡°Flo? Do you need any help?¡± The vestal called out, leaning her head out of the door.

    ¡°I¡¯m good kiddo, just sit and rest while I take care of this.¡± The actress knew of the need for contact in order to erode hate. But she believed that this vestal was well on the way, so she didn¡¯t feel the need to drag her back. It is often the positive contacts with outsiders that break hatred.

    However, what if someone doesn¡¯t wish to engage with another at all? When all they can see is a monster or a fool? To answer this, you have to convince them. Back in my own work, I had to do this monthly. Persuading another that there are benefits to empathy is the main goal.

    Did you know that more empathic individuals tend to have better romantic relationships? That is indeed a truth that sadly too many people don¡¯t hear, or don¡¯t want to listen to. Yet, people typically listen more to figures than ideas.

    ¡°Are you sure? Because I think Yueuai-¡±

    ¡°Who?¡±

    ¡°The priestess dude. She might get mad if you¡¯re the only one doing the work.¡± The vestal was calm, but her faint fear came out in her voice.

    ¡°No worries, just sit down and rest. I¡¯ll take care of this.¡± Florato was proud that her belief was truth, that the girl wished to engage with her. That is a marker for progress between peoples, at least for a person of my wisdom. When people wish to mingle together, there is fraternity and love born. A people mightier than all the rest.

    ¡°Hey Tai? There isn¡¯t any Fitanon powder. We got-got the elixir and the Jera sprinkles, but not of that other stuff.¡± Vega listed, as Tai searched thoroughly through the shelves.

    ¡°Huh, I guess you''re right.¡± She noted the cabinet''s hinges, as one seemed to have a minor scratch. As for the keys, she kept them all close.

    ¡°Shame, we need that stuff for the sacrifice. Can¡¯t have the feast without praising Recor properly.¡± Tai recollected all the materials and glazed over every detail. In that moment, Vega got an idea.

    ¡°Hey, you know where the apartment is, right?¡± Vega nudged Tai.

    ¡°Yep, what, do you need something from there?¡± Tai scratched her head and yawned, while Vega considered a solution.

    ¡°Can you bring someone from there, he might have some stuff that come work?¡± Tai nodded, and leaned her head to the mouth of the scarecrow.

    Some thirty minutes had passed for Florato. The platform was complete and painted. Definitely not the prettiest sight, but was fit for a god. Florato was proud of her handy work and brought back out the vestal to see it.

    ¡°Not bad Flo. I think the ceremony can be held. Aside from the speech and sacrifice, everything seems to be in order.¡± Florato was glad at the compliment. After a day of sour pain and insult, she was happy to be in the presence of understanding.

    A knock against the temple door was heard.

    ¡°Don¡¯t worry, I¡¯ll take care of that for you.¡± The vestal speedily hopped over to the door and pulled it open.

    ¡°Hey Liai! I brought more mortals to help!¡± Tai cheered out, gesturing to the two figures behind her. It was a redhead and a girl with green makeup.

    ¡°So I heard that you guys needed some powder right?¡± Skaldi crossed his shoulders. Liai, shivered at the sight. Not necessarily of a fear for herself, but of the reaction of others.

    ¡°So¡­ can I come in?¡± Skaldi¡¯s elf ears wiggled.

    ¡°By Recor¡­ sure?¡±

 Chapter 16: A Belief Unbound (Part 1!)

    Chapter 16: A Belief Unbound (Part 1!)

    I feel it''s needed to remind you of my alignment. I am no neutral party, like all other people on these planes. But in terms of what people I support, I do have favorites. In particular the Iozians and the Tripolians. Shameful, really it is. Outside the many and multiple worlds, I choose two. Just as I feel a horrible insecurity when it comes to Ani.

    We are both awful, and prefer certain perspectives on the distinctive cultures that these governments are made up by. But it must be known what we are. Judges of people we¡¯ll never truly know.

    Beliefs are these unknowing judges, while truth is the evidence that saves the condemned. I will not dispute the benefit of certain beliefs, but there are some that are confused or brittle to conflict. Plenty of them enforce these silly binaries. Like mortal and divine, or ruler and citizen. The only one that is an actual truth is good and evil.

    I wouldn¡¯t be so antagonizing of these beliefs if they were adaptive or bendable. Far too often when opposed, these systems of expectations rupture like a failed heart. Just like Ani and I, these ideas haven¡¯t survived the test of time, they¡¯ve only cheated it.

    Skaldi held Valiato close, scanning the temple for any clergy members who spit at his arrival. Valiato was noticeably more excited, more than when she went to a cathedral. She enjoyed the maintained form of it rather than the bloated corpse of the precious establishment. But compared to them Liai was in a terrible stupor.

    The vestal took in all of what Skaldi was. A violation to the young priestess'' view on a man. Most Kai Ren men, not too different to the ones in this town, were wearing shoulder suspended cloaks and ankle length pants, all of the off white color of wool or cloth. Of the few that wore just shirts and trousers were that of the military, laborers, or farmers.

    There was a specific hierarchy of classes for Iozians, and especially for these Kai Ren. You could gauge the wealth and status of an Iozian by the color and the length of their clothing. Most poor folk wore either black and grays, but the Oligarchs did have government supplied red dyes. Of all the policies they put in place, their favorite color red being available for all people, freeman or citizen, was the only one.

    And the more wasteful and squandering use of clothing, meant the richer of Iozian. For the Sanguains was the Toga, the equivalent in terms of use was the vampiric suit. This twenty foot length of wool was so complicated, that the aristocrats had purchased slaves to maintain its elegant folds. The Kai Ren instead performed the Hanfu, the combination of jackets, skirts, and body garments galore. Definitely not contributing pain to the system of slavery, but absolutely causing pain to noble men wearing it.

    What the vestal saw was a man, in all of his effeminate terror, shaven and wearing pants in a traditional Kai Ren temple.

    Now this may seems foolish, but you must understand, shaving was very important to these Kai Ren. Truely a matter of national security.

    Beards and pants were of very high moral conflict at this time. Firstly, beards were a badge of masculinity, and the maintaining of one showed one''s rank. Although it varied from time to time, the preferred form was long mustaches and well trimmed beards. Even if it was drifting down to one¡¯s chest or a few whiskers on the chin, they were valued.

    This manly ideal couldn¡¯t be succeeded by most Kai Ren men, as it was unnatural for them to summon any facial hair. Poor men couldn¡¯t get the treatment needed but richer men could. Another sign of status that the poorer men envied. Not that I wished they did, I personally enjoyed the sight of hairless Kai Ren men in my company. Pretty moon skin, clean and milky, and lovely to touch. What was I saying? Ah right¡­

    Kai Ren did tend to differ with this value compared to the Matigas and the Sanguians, as they preferred a full shave. At one point a Sanguian Oligarch outright banned mustaches. But when visiting a Kai Ren aristocrat, it was recommended to at least have a stubble.

    Pants however, depending on style, bespoke outsider cultures, specifically the Tripolians. Of their overwhelming numbers, destroying, killing, and most disgustingly, wearing pants.

    Overtime, the Iozians gave up the good fight and decided to wear pants. For what reason? Because the Tripolians spared the thought for pockets.

    This fight wasn¡¯t given up in the religious space, as the vestal feared. Skaldi with his red hair, his red pants, and his sprinkled red face was opposing the institution by just existing. Again, you may think it silly but remember this. It is often that certain peoples existing is a call for war among groups.

    ¡°So¡­ do you have the powder? Because if you just hand it over we can get out of your hair.¡± Luai stuttered out. Tai was laughing hysterically, pounding the ground hard. Luai knew that the mischievous demon was aiming to cause disorder, but attempted to cease it.

    ¡°Got it, Fitanon was it?¡± Skaldi pulled a bag from his pocket.

    ¡°Good! Now just hand to me and you can leav-¡±

    ¡°Hey Ska! Can we go look around? I haven¡¯t been to a temple before, and I want to check it out.¡± Valiato said, much to the vestal¡¯s dismay. Skaldi stared at Luai for a moment, judging her face. She wasn¡¯t yelling at him to get out, that was new. Brushing his hair aside using only his thumb, Skaldi considered.

    ¡°Sure. If it doesn¡¯t bother the girl here. Does it?¡± Skaldi was refreshed by this new circumstance, he also never got to explore a temple fully.

    ¡°Ah¡­ no! No it does not! Because if it did, I wouldn¡¯t have let you in here¡­¡±

    ¡°Cool! Can you please show us around, pretty lady?¡± Valiato¡¯s quick and unassuming compliment stabilized the heart of the vestal. She knew that they were not the stereotypical outsiders. But that idea, she felt, wouldn¡¯t get into the priestess¡¯s mind.

    The narrative has been taken without authorization; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident.

    ¡°Luai, you¡¯re taking a long time with the door, who is it-¡± Florato turned the corner and saw her two companions.

    ¡°Hey you two! What are you guys doing here? Did Luai let you in?¡± Florato rushed over and spoke with a faint confusion.

    ¡°Yeah, she was kind enough to let an elf and the kid here to take a look around. Also, this little gal told us to bring some powder for the feast.¡± Skaldi pointed to Tai. Tai snapped her fingers back at him.

    Luai¡¯s mind was racing, trying to find an amicable way for the priestess and the outsiders to maneuver this situation.

    The vestal made good friends with the actress, but she could tell that the priestess wouldn¡¯t like it. These Kai Ren had a beauty standard that fiercely opposed Florato. That being no tig bitties. Small breasts were considered attractive here, and again the Sanguians and Matigas Natao argued this against considerably.

    I must remind the student reading this that beauty has no effect on the greatness of a people. Physical beauty is supplemental but not essential.

    Once in my travels in the Oligarchy, I was in the company of some wisemen and they were in a debate. Not over aiding their comrades in a wartorn region, or the meaning of life, not those silly things. They were arguing over the ideal size of titty. I remember a Matigas man who eventually won the argument saying a most excellent line.

    ¡°A women¡¯s chest should be so large that they have to bend forward due to the weight.¡±

    Yes, this was indeed said in the company of wisemen. Large breasted sisters, the men rigged the fucking game against us.

    The men later unanimously agreed that large buttocks were ideal, again, with me being the only woman in the group. Not that they cared to ask me for my opinion, with me being the one with the so beloved chest sacks.

    I would complain further but I was of great youth and attractiveness to these Iozians. I was statuesque if you could imagine. A fine umber skin, luxurious curls and drills for hair. And yes, to the men reading this, very tig bitties. But that didn¡¯t matter because I had a flat ass so the men didn¡¯t bother to offer marriage.

    Seriously, I had yellow eyes! I know I was thirty at the time, but come on! I could have still bore children. Honestly, having only guys as your friends does a number to your self esteem. Let alone the numerous self image issues that it leaves in your wake.

    What was I talking about? Ah yes, Florato having boobs and the priestess not liking that.

    Before I continue, I must tell the truth or I¡¯ll lose my mind. Women, your chests are not a matter of public opinion. They belong to you.

    Luai knew Florato¡¯s great kindness, but she also knew that the priestess would reply with hatred tenfold. Considering these outrageous characters, Luai devised a plan. She could tell that the priestess would end the scarecrow¡¯s path of healing their fracture if she saw one of them mingling with her. So she decided that it would be best if the party finished preparing the ceremony, while she distracted the priestess.

    ¡°Okay, you all can go up stairs and help with the feast.¡± The vestal croaked out, and stared daggers at the demon, ¡°And Tai Pai can show you around while I finish taking care of Mother. Tai Pai will not, under threat of holy water, attempt any mischief.¡±

    ¡°Why are you telling that to us?¡± Skaldi questioned.

    ¡°No reason. Tai, give them a good look around and get the powder back to Vega!¡± Luai raced down the hall, exiting in disorderly fashion.

    ¡°Wait, Vega¡¯s here? Can we go see her Skaldi?¡± Valiato jumped up and down. Skaldi was not pleased but he nudged Tai.

    ¡°Mind?¡±

    ¡°Gotcha, one scarecrow coming up!¡± The demon soared upward, and within seconds held Vega up like a cat holding on the neck of a kitten.

    ¡°Shall we start?¡±

    The party was led by the flying demon, as she transformed the pious history of the temple into lewd and vulgar descriptions.

    ¡°Here we have the dildo cabinet. Once Recor ordained in the sky for everyone to go fuck themselves, and so the whole temple did.¡± What she was actually pointing to was old scrolls written by chaste clergy members. And I can confirm, none of them did indeed fuck themselves.

    ¡°Cool-cool. But I have a question, why are all the statues naked?¡± Vega queried, confused by the various species depicted in marble. Some werefolk, some human. Some human men. Some Kai Ren men¡­ Delicious shoulders, and rock hard abs to pair¡­ I think I¡¯m starting to lose it¡­

    Plenty of Kapre oddly. But they all seemed to be united under the banner of lacking clothes.

    ¡°That? Well, they were built in a time where nudity was acceptable.¡± She wasn¡¯t right. The only reason that the statues remained was because a century ago the temple hired a man to castrate them. He emasculated the men with a single blow. Stripping away femininity with a strike. None were spared. I believe his name was Garrett or something.

    ¡°The reason for this was because the artists were all homosexuals.¡± And Tai lies again. No one in the group believed this, even little Valiato. But the scarecrow did.

    ¡°Look Skaldi, the-the artists are just like you!¡± Vega said with great enthusiasm. Tai giggled and tried to regain her composure.

    ¡°Yes. Now here is the spirit Silphuos.¡± On the wall was a riot of colors and mosaic depicting a wild woman with thin stalks for limbs and a flowery bulb for a head.

    Skaldi preemptively put his hands on Valiato¡¯s ears, ready for Tai to say another cruelty.

    ¡°Silphuos hates babies.¡± Tai spoke. It wasn¡¯t correct, but got the point across. This spirit in her infant age, created a supposed miracle plant. When fed to animals, it fattens them. When made into perfume, it spreads soothing auras. And as the Iozians discovered, healed bites and poison.

    The plant Silphium was almost immediately picked to extinction, but with a little encouragement, Silphuos fostered its growth every three years.

    One problem. It was a natural contraceptive. The Iozians, on learning this, celebrated. Silphuos was thus the only named infertility and health spirit. Compared to Nemesis''s potential two hundred and sixty infertility devils. But that didn¡¯t matter to the Oligarchy, as the family became more of a choice because of her.

    From poor unmarried women, to prostitutes trying to survive, or a rich family trying to secure only a few heirs, this plant was used and worshiped. Sometimes on Oligarch coins the plant''s image is used instead of the spirit.

    Don¡¯t let this plant¡¯s mere presence fool you. Not this plant, nor any could save enough families from the heartbreak of unwanted children. If the father didn¡¯t wish for a child, it would be brought to a public place or a field beyond their home. Yet, this abandonment wasn¡¯t always a death sentence.

    These babes could be picked up and nursed to health and survive to adulthood. Afterall, there were four hundred spirits for childhood and hundreds for protection against youth attacking diseases. Plenty of these spirits became notable after the Oligarchy discovered the Tripolian¡¯s immense size.

    But their survival, especially now, didn¡¯t grant them a life of acceptance. Many of them grew up to be slaves, wretched miners or prostitutes. All of them deemed ghosts, people that have died but still lived to haunt.

    For all Iozians, an extra mouth to feed could spell doom. While abandoning a child was a calculated choice, it wasn¡¯t never a celebrated one. Let¡¯s appreciate there are songs of Silphuos, and not to leaving your kids to ghosthood, shall we?

    ¡°Cool! Is she your mom-mom?¡± Vega didn¡¯t know the relationships between spirits and nymphs and sprites.

    ¡°No, Nemesis is my mom. Well technically she¡¯s my grandma, but that doesn¡¯t matter. Silphuos tried to make this plant that made dicks too small to go in girls, but ended up making them too big. So whenever you eat the plant, your dick is too big to have babies.¡±

    ¡°What¡¯s a dick Ska?¡± Valiato called out.

    ¡°Something I like a lot.¡± Skaldi calmly spoke.

 Chapter 16: A Belief Unbound (Part 2!)

    Chapter 16: A Belief Unbound (Part 2!)

    The demon flew further and handed a fetish to Florato. It was a series of wires attaching into a bone.

    ¡°What¡¯s this, some kind of whip?¡± Florato shook the fetish.

    ¡°No silly, that¡¯s the bone of a nymph you''re carrying!¡± Florato upon hearing the news, dropped the fetish, which Vega caught.

    ¡°Wow! Who-who is it from?¡± Vega layed her fingers across it. It was surprisingly tame to touch and normal feeling. Vega imagined a far greater experience but her question revealed a faint disappointment.

    ¡°That''s the bone of the great nymph Te¡¯a, the elf should recognize it.¡± Tai¡¯s message caught Skaldi¡¯s ear but he quickly realized the demon was screwing with him.

    ¡°Ha! Well, this nymph, with the aid of a very brave man, discovered that the human body has these thin tunnels that transfer blood throughout it. After getting married and having some sack seeds, they later discovered the blood systems for numerous other species and revolutionized medicine.¡±

    ¡°What made him brave? Doesn¡¯t seem so bold to me.¡± Skaldi muttered out, with Valiato snickering at the demon.

    ¡°Well you see that bone?¡± Tai probed.

    ¡°Yeah. So?¡± Skaldi crossed his arms.

    ¡°That¡¯s her finger bone.¡± Tai confirmed. Vega held it up to Skaldi¡¯s arm, which showed that they were of equal size. Everyone was given time to reflect on what would have happened. Sometimes the truth is hard to believe.

    ¡°W-what was the name of that guy?¡± Skaldi stuttered out, holding the bone in his hands.

    ¡°Huangdiato, he was a rich Oligarch some hundred years back. I don¡¯t remember his fate or how he died. Something about too much kitty?¡± Skaldi and Florato didn¡¯t like what Tai was getting at. Valiato didn¡¯t know what Tai was getting at. Vega wanted to know what Tai was getting at.

    ¡°Wait, I got it! Death by too much pussy! I would love to see the engraving on his tombstone.¡± Tai cried out, her being the only one laughing at the joke. After a couple more minutes of the demon saying nasty histories or outright lies, Vega was the only one intently listening.

    ¡°Skaldi, how many times has she said cunt?¡± Florato whispered, leaning over to the head of the redhead.

    ¡°About forty eight. And a half.¡± Skaldi admitted the truth.

    ¡°Can we go home now? I¡¯m starting to not like this whole religion business people keep talking about.¡± Valiato spoke out.

    ¡°And here we reach our final holy item. The body of Saint Aiato, she was of the Optima Matai. Had a lot of babies, but never felt the touch of a man. What do you think?¡± It was a simple wooden coffin with a unrotting bit of incense. A sign overhead read ¡® Saint Aiato the Fecund. The Second Master of the Mothers. Born in the year 08 after Oligarch¡¯s Kiss. Died in the year 390 after Oligarch¡¯s Kiss.

    ¡°The women in the town pray to her so that they may raise strong soldiers and give tribute to the spirits.  I pray to her just to spite her.¡±

    ¡°What, do you get messages back or something?¡± Florato laughed at the idea, talking to a dead lady.

    ¡°Yes I do. She told me once to make sure Luai goes to the sisterhood one day. And then I hung up on her.¡± And yes, I can confirm that happened.

    ¡°That concludes the look around! Any questions?¡± Vega went to raise her hand but Skaldi held it down.

    ¡°Cool, now if you hand off the powder we will be on our way-¡±

    ¡°What do you mean I can¡¯t go up? What are you hiding from me Luai?!¡± They all heard the priestess storming up the stairs, which was right beside the monument to the saint.

    ¡°Oh shit. Guys move, I don¡¯t think she¡¯ll like us being here.¡± Florato immediately picked up Valiato and pushed Skaldi down the hall. The trio ran away quickly, but Vega remained. She didn¡¯t suspect anything was amiss.

    ¡°You know how much this means to everyone! What, do you me want to fail in front of the whole town?¡± There it struck, that bitter pain. Fear took Vega out of her happy stupor and sent her into panic.

    ¡°No. Not-not again.¡± She muttered to herself. The world swirled around her.

    ¡°Must. Do. Something.¡± The shouts came closer.

    ¡°I¡¯m not¡­¡± Closer still.

    ¡°A¡­¡± The clergy¡¯s shadows were fast approaching.

    ¡°Failure.¡± The edge of anxiety bit her.

    ¡°Stealth mode. Activate.¡± She leaned behind a statue, and copied its pose perfectly. Not a false imitation. Exactly.

    ¡°What are you hiding?¡± The priestess rushed up, looking around at the space. All she found was the monument and the floating demon. The vestal soon followed.

    ¡°See? I¡¯m not hiding anything. Everything is fine!¡± Luai tried to calm the priestess down.

    ¡°No it isn¡¯t. And it hasn¡¯t been for a while.¡± Vega could sense the cracking voice, the tears shedding. This is where a person breaks.

    ¡°You¡¯ve been hanging out with the-the lady all day, and you never came to see me until now. What¡¯s going on?¡± The priestess''s composure was breaking, forcing a silence in the hall.

    ¡°Nothing is wrong. I¡¯ve just been working, that¡¯s all.¡± The vestal spoke softly, like wind to grass.

    ¡°Really? Then why is your hair all curly? Did the tribal do it for you?¡± Ah, the fear of loss. I know that too well.

    ¡°Yes! Is there a problem?¡± Luai shot out, and continued instinctually, ¡°Is it so wrong for me to like that kind of hair? Yueuai, I know your mom¡¯s hurt, but that doesn¡¯t justify you being mean to me.¡± The priestess was close to shattering.

    ¡°I don¡¯t know! I¡¯m just scared that I¡¯ll lose her and then I¡¯ll lose you. Now I have to do the stupid feast preparations and speak in front of the crowd. All because of some foreigners, alright?¡±

    ¡°Yueuai, please look at me.¡± The vestal laid her hand against the cheek of the priestess, and they both lowered to the ground.

    ¡°Isn¡¯t Tai Pai a foreigner? And yet is she the one that nursed you when you fell ill?¡± The priestess took a glance at the floating demon, who shrugged.

    If you spot this tale on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation.

    ¡°And kid, I¡¯m a literal demon. The blondie and the hay girl are much kinder than me. It¡¯s not all black and white.¡±

    ¡°And wasn¡¯t Saint Aiato a Tripolian? And she gave birth to literal spirits?¡± Yueuai was rubbing her eyes of tears, now soothed by the voice of Luai.

    ¡°I know you¡¯re scared for us. I am too, but don¡¯t get mad at the wrong people. Those outsiders have strong and loving hands.¡± The vestal squeezed Yueuai¡¯s palm and started to brush her hair.

    ¡°And they took their time to love Recor and appreciate all his glory. Isn¡¯t that right Tai Pai?¡± The demon chuckled and rubbed her head.

    ¡°The scarecrow definitely did.¡±

    ¡°If they can do all that, so can you. You¡¯re smart, you¡¯re the one that healed your mom, and you¡¯re beautiful.¡± Yueuai''s teary eyes started to pair with her glowing smile.

    ¡°And no girl with blond hair or with big whatevers is gonna stop me from doing what I love to do.¡± Luai came closer to Yueuai¡¯s face. The priestess blushed.

    ¡°A-and what¡¯s that?¡±

    ¡°This.¡± The vestal and the priestess kissed.

    Vega felt her fear melt away as she took in this heartwarming scene. Two people enjoying a tender and loving act. It was all she needed to see to melt away her fear. The fear of not succeeding. And she realized, in a moment of intelligence, that her act of aiding the clergy melted away her fear of outsiders.

    She succeeded at her purpose.

    ¡°Okay Vega, you can stop hiding now!¡± Tai called out, as the scarecrow peered out from behind the statue.

    ¡°Vega, whatever she is, went through all the work to help us and this town out.¡± Luai spoke out, as Vega held out the bag of powder to her.

    ¡°I¡¯m glad we have a fellow worshiper in this temple. Thank you, blessed Vega.¡± The priestess flung her hair to the scarecrow who then promptly bowed.

    ¡°I¡­ I¡¯m sorry that I acted in such a manner to you and your friend. It was shameful of me to oppose you. I only wish you can join us in the feast.¡± Yueuai held out her hand, of which Vega gripped onto. They went down to the room where her mother was being taken care of. Within minutes and with a little powder, the woman was up and healthy.

    ¡°This was the person that helped you? I had never seen a moving scarecrow before! Thank you blessed spirit. You must be the descendant of Mauri Kata!¡± The mother praised Vega, and reassured everyone of their kind act.

    ¡°Can¡¯t wait to see you at the feast! Don¡¯t worry, we¡¯ll talk to the mayor about it all. Have a good day!¡± The clergy members waved off Vega, as she was escorted out by Tai.

    ¡°Take care kid. And be sure to take a seat by us when the feast starts, I¡¯ll serve you stuff only sprites can eat!¡± Vega walked back to the apartment, happy as can be.

    An hour until the feast was to start. Bolato looked outside the padded window. He could already see the crowd gathering. The blizzard had finally let up and it would seem that they will be able to leave by tomorrow. Skaldi and Valiato decided to take a nap before the feast, while Amir was reading a magazine. Vega and Florato were still practicing the guitar. Bolato enjoyed Florato¡¯s performance but Vega¡¯s not so much.

    A knocking was heard below.

    ¡°I¡¯ll take care of it.¡± Bolato waved to the pair as he stepped down the apartment. The couple was still in there with them. The past night he had heard their ¡®fun¡¯ and ¡®romantic¡¯ events beside them. He then realized why the apartment was so cheap. Bolato thought that ordered more silphium but when he opened the door, he was shocked.

    ¡°Soldier. Think you can answer me why you got a ghost in your company?¡± It was the clerk from the armory. Even in his winter clothing Bolato could tell there was conflict in him. He scanned the environment for any mobs to attack them. No one was there aside than the clerk and his hatred.

    ¡°What ghost?¡± Bolato hissed out. He hoped that the clerk was playing a cruel prank. His face told that he wasn¡¯t.

    ¡°Ghosts are a matter of familial security. Even having one in the town can doom us all. I saw that ghost kid¡¯s gloves and I knew instantly.¡± Bolato knew that Valiato slipped, but that would be a matter for another time.

    ¡°So what are you here for? Gonna blackmail us? Is that what you¡¯re gonna to a soldier of the Oligarchy?¡± Bolato wanted to cause some insecurity in the clerk¡¯s system. The clerk didn¡¯t have any.

    ¡°No son. I fought for twenty five years in the army. I gave away my best years to the good fight. And on soldier''s honor I will not seek to harm my fellow striker brother. So I offer this¡­¡± The clerk leaned forward.

    ¡°Hand the ghost off to me. I¡¯ll take it to a field, tie it up, and leave where its scream can¡¯t be heard. I¡¯ll do that for you, and your foreign friends can go to the feast.¡±

    This is why I so thoroughly hate beliefs. How often they teach us to dehumanize and reduce others we don¡¯t know down to stereotypes and others. And this clerk is the worst example. Not a nerve was tested, nor a feeling beside silent hate was present. He was completely okay and ready to end a child¡¯s life on request. How wonderful to hear!

    ¡°And if I don¡¯t?¡± Bolato walked forward, making the clerk step back.

    ¡°I¡¯ll tell the town. Sure, the temple might spare some thought for that ghost, but the town won¡¯t. If you want to go down that route, I¡¯ll give you ten minutes to leave.¡±

    Bolato blew through his nose, and nodded. The clerk slowly turned around and before walking off, he took a look at Bolato.

    ¡°Damn Ghost lover.¡±

    Bolato raced up the stairs and bursted through, catching them off guard.

    ¡°We¡¯re leaving now. Everyone get up and pack your things.¡± Vega didn¡¯t question a word and immediately started, while Amir and Florato were confused.

    ¡°What¡¯s wrong Bolato? Did something happen?¡± Florato was puzzled while Amir knew it was urgent.

    ¡°One of the people knew about Valiato. Hurry up and tell Amir.¡± Bolato collected all the packs and tied them on his back, as Florato pointed to Valiato who Amir picked up.

    ¡°Sweetheart get up, we¡¯re leaving now.¡± Bolato gave a soft kick to Skaldi, who was shocked at the hussle of the room. He had been looking forward to the feast, but he knew something was off.

    ¡°What happened? Was it Vega, did she do something wrong?¡± Skaldi got in front of Bolato.

    ¡°We¡¯ll talk about it later. Get the centuries ready, now!¡± Skaldi rushed out, and as he left the room he took a cruel glance at the scarecrow.

    Within minutes, the party picked up their equipment and placed it back on the wagon. The centuries were ready, and the only thing left to do was to get on and leave.

    But none of them did. Each one took in the excellent sight of people enjoying each other. The sweet and salty scents drifted to them. The fierce cold combated by the adrenaline in the moment. All of them did, except Vega.

    She was already inside the wagon holding the still sleeping Valiato in her arms. The scarecrow had no idea what happened but understood that there was a need. It was a shame really. That she worked to help this town and she wouldn¡¯t get to enjoy it. But slowly her mind drifted back to her new friends. Whatever their goals meant more now rather than a town¡¯s.

    Plus, those two girls and the demon were all worth the effort. No pains of rejection, in fact, only the love of acception.

    Everyone got into the wagon and headed off on the snow covered road. Each person had a blanket, along with the centuries. Within thirty minutes the town had become a memory. Bolato stared at Valiato¡¯s gloved hands and then back to Florato who was trying to catch some sleep.

    ¡°Hmm. Hey Flo¡­¡± Valiato murmured.

    ¡°Yes kid? Are you alright?¡± Florato shifted over to her.

    ¡°I¡¯m cold. Can¡­ can you hold me?¡± Valiato was shivering despite the heavy cloak she wore. Florato was at first surprised and stunned. She didn¡¯t know what to do. Vega made the choice for her by picking up the child and handing it off to the actress.

    ¡°Sleep well-well. Tomorrow we¡¯ll have lots of fun!¡± Vega sat back down. Florato holding of Valiato melted her frozen state, with her stacking their blankets together and hugging the kid into a comfortable slumber. Bolato took a look at the scarecrow, now doodling.

    ¡°Hey, Vega. That was a good thing you did. Odd, but a good thing.¡± Bolato said, with Vega smiling a toothless smile.

    Amir looked at his daughter with a faint bit of envy. He momentarily stretched his hand to the babe, but quickly took it back. Skaldi was the only person that noticed the movement.

    He stared at the hands of the scarecrow, making those silly drawings of hers. Patchwork cloth connected to haphazard wood and steel, Skaldi knew. He imagined the event she caused with those hands. What did she do to make them mad? To make them leave?

    Where all culture starts and ends, is at the hands. The same goes for kindness.

 Chapter 17: Sour Souls (Part 1!)

    Chapter 17: Sour Souls (Part 1!)

    Periatus was a vulgar ocean where the faintest drop of poison could inhabit all the water. Not to say that it didn¡¯t have any charm, a farmer that had a few years of successful harvests could vacation here. Think of it as the poor and untidy man¡¯s resort. Food was cheap and plentiful, tea was a delicacy that grew well in its climate. And you could get a prostitute for just a few silvers. Or so I¡¯ve heard¡­

    But in this land, the natural islands of family and community that protected the people of the Oligarchy from drowning were becoming less and less reliable.

    For soldiers, the clubs that allowed the vocabulary to understand their feelings were few and far between. The Oligarch of Periatus, a loathsome and foolish brat, didn¡¯t provide the money required to fund those necessary islands. Instead he favored spending time with his wife and his various fleets of excess. Why bother aiding the very people who make sure you have lands to rule when you have a new toy to break?

    The road was clearly unmaintained, as the bounce and snaps proclaimed loud to Amir. The snow finally died down at least, showing a simple forest with orange colored vines. But the foul stone road resembled warped spikes of a porcupine. He took comfort in the fact everyone was sleeping and that the scarecrow was the only one enjoying the experience.

    Vega scribbled something on a sheet of paper, a means to remember the temple she went to. Amir heard about it from Skaldi which Valiato translated in less than stellar quality. That didn¡¯t matter, as Valiato was growing more than ever before. He would have to protect from any Iozian tricks to make her into an evil being. Especially now being in Periatus.

    Amir and the couple had been in Periatus a few times, every trip unpleasant. The fierce criminal competition was constant and the debauched nature of the Iozians revealed itself most here. Gambling was rife, sodomites mingled on the street, and carnivore diets existed everywhere.

    The Tripol knew that the scarecrow taught his daughter a form of gambling, that being dice. But he at least understood her forwardness with it. Afterall, evil usually comes in underhanded and unnoticed forms. So Amir could tell that she was only doing it for the sport, not to change Valiato into a monster.

    ¡°Are we-we there yet big guy?¡± Vega took a seat beside Amir, who shook his hand, which Vega took as a no.

    ¡°Shame. So, when do ya think we¡¯ll get there?¡± Amir again shook his hand in an attempt to stop Vega from talking to him.

    ¡°Yes.¡± Kaliba flew onto the shoulder of Vega, saving Amir from any further plans of speaking.

    ¡°Silly Kaliba. Yes isn¡¯t a time-time.¡± Vega spoke out as the sun began to fall out the leaves. An hour snailed by, with Amir continuing to drive and continuing failing to ignore the scarecrow. Luckily a distraction appeared, that being the beginning of farms and fields.

    ¡°Wow! I never saw so many stalks of¡­ what is that stuff? Kaliba, ya-ya know what this is?¡±

    ¡°Siliphuos?¡± Kaliba blurted out half intelligently.

    ¡°Man, it pays to have the company of a royal bird.¡± Vega brushed the crow and she took in the environment.

    Periatus had a monopoly on the Oligarchy¡¯s Silphium and its additional spirit created plants. In fact the many family of tea trees originate from Recor himself, a literal gift from god. But aside from Silphium and Tea, there was a king here. Tobacco. If I could name three of the world¡¯s most influential plants it would be Tobacco, Sugar, and then Silphium.

    The very existence of tobacco allowed the Oligarchy to extend much further than it reasonably would. The reason why entire regions were conquered despite harsh climate and harsh resistance was entirely based on tobacco¡¯s ability to grow there. Additionally, the Marian family who ended slavery used the profit of selling tobacco to recover from the loss of the system.

    Ironically Recor, the god of creation and happiness, didn¡¯t make it. Nemesis did, but the Iozians didn¡¯t care for that. Afterall, the smoke tastes good and makes your head feel funny.

    As the morning strolled by, the pair looked at the vast plantations ahead of them. It took them an hour to see a single rice paddy, only a few acres in length. It only stood out because there were a hoard of people scrambling to purchase the remaining supply. Famine and seclusion seemed to be driving the people mad.

    As I have said previously, this isn¡¯t new. It¡¯s only that it became visible.

    With the wagon in clear view, some people took to walking towards them. Amir didn¡¯t fear as they were too scrawny to fight or steal. A few kids asked for food, which Amir ignored. But Vega immediately unpacked some of their supplies.

    ¡°Hey kids, who wants chocolate!¡± Vega said as she tossed random food to them. The children weren¡¯t disturbed by the sight of Vega, only happy that they would get to eat breakfast today. Amir, not wanting to draw anymore attention, lifted Vega off the ground. Within seconds, he used her limbs to tie herself into the form of a pretzel.

    ¡°Huh, I haven¡¯t done-done yoga before. Thanks big guy!¡± Soon following this, everyone woke up, as the slightly warmer temperature shook them out of their sleep. Florato awoke to the sight of Vega looking more like an art piece than a scarecrow.

    ¡°Hey Vega, what are you doing?¡± Florato got up, still holding the sleeping Valiato.

    ¡°Yoga! I heard about it from the Priest a while back and Amir helped me do a pose. Now-now I can¡¯t move. Isn¡¯t that great?¡± Vega smiled as Florato went to fix her body, slowly untangling her. As time went on, the place almost became serene. No howling winds, just the soft clicking of branches and song birds.

    ¡°Hey Vega, I¡¯ve been meaning to ask ya something?¡±

    ¡°Yeah?¡±

    ¡°Do you ever wonder what¡¯s in that box you¡¯re carrying?¡± The actress tapped the chest of Vega.

    ¡°What box?¡± Vega forget again.

    ¡°You¡¯re kidding? The one Luiocles gave you?¡± Florato reminded Vega, who was still not agreeing.

    ¡°The whole reason why we¡¯re going to the basin aside than robbing it?¡± Florato pressed on. After a moment Vega nodded her head.

    ¡°Okay, so have you thought to see what''s inside?¡± Vega put her hand on her chin and looked up at the sky.

    ¡°Nope!¡±

    ¡°I supposed that was what you were going to say. But, why not?¡± Florato laid back, nudging the scarecrow.

    ¡°Well¡­ look to-to the farmers. My answer is in them.¡±

    The farmers worked in the blistering cold sun, planting the luxury plants that the Oligarchy so loved. Late winter was the season to start planting tobacco and silphium and would be harvested in a hundred days. But for food crops, there were few and far between. Besides lone rice paddies, there were communal gardens of bok choy, mustards, and chickpeas.

    This book''s true home is on another platform. Check it out there for the real experience.

    At least this part of the region showed a considerable effort dedicated to uplifting the people on top of you, as Amir saw a family giving taxes a couple dozen yards away. Wearing the oligarchic rose, a badge for a tax collector, a few men on horses carried the family¡¯s crop away. In return, the family received a hundred brass.

    As a family of four who would make nearly a thousand brass a year in terms of crop yield. Amir could tell that they were being conned. He didn¡¯t feel the need to enlighten their plight. After all, they would only see him as snake skin scum.

    With everyone awake, a groan from their bellies spoke out.

    ¡°Hey sweetie?¡±

    ¡°Yeah Bolato? You hungry?¡± Skaldi hopped next to his husband, brushing his hand using his thumb.

    ¡°Definitely. Do you see anything, like a bar or something? There''s not gonna be a city for a couple more hours.¡± Bolato spoke as he raised the map to his eyes. Skaldi focused on the environment around them and found a wide series of buildings that resembled an inn.

    ¡°Found one, it¡¯s a couple minutes to our right.¡± Skaldi tapped the shoulder of Amir and they went off to the building. Stationing just outside, it was two ceramic buildings supported by a foundation of jungle wood. Resembling a hunched over grannie, the structure looked like it was going to annoy the party.

    ¡°Vega, you stay here with Valiato. You too sweetie, don¡¯t want these folks to try anything. Make sure no one touches the wagon.¡± Everyone hopped off as the trio remained. The kid looked over at the scarecrow in a faint boredom.

    ¡°Want to-to gamble?¡± Vega offered.

    Entering into the building, the stretch of bitter tree sap confirmed that this was a bar. The main crowd were bitter soldiers, most of them in their twilight years. Of the scant women in the bar were mothers, with strong and menacing muscles on their arms. And the owners were total opposites. A young boy still in his teen years, and what looked like his granny with a few gray streaks in her hair. Both shared a pious tattoo on their cheeks.

    ¡°What would you like sirs? We serve wine and food. And with the price of four brass, you can get water from our fountain. Comes straight from the Yutai Basin.¡± Bolato chuckled at the boy¡¯s upbeat voice.

    He wanted to maintain a low profile, knowing that bounty hunters made quite the business out of hunting criminals like his group. Putting a smile that was half genuine and half forced, Bolato grabbed the shoulder of the boy, giving a bit of fun authority.

    ¡°Alright. Can you serve us up some porridge and bread, and about five cups of wine? And we¡¯ll take you up on that fountain offer.¡± Bolato counted the coins in front of the barkeepers and handed them off. The granny yelled out some orders and within the minute the group could hear the food cooking.

    ¡°Gold fish!¡± Vega shouted.

    ¡°I thought we were playing black jack. And you lost Vega.¡± Valiato pointed at the cards on the wagon floor and Vega realized her mistake.

    ¡°Oh yeah, ya right.¡±

    ¡°Right.¡± Kaliba tweeted. Skaldi took to taking gulps from his flask as he walked in circles around the cart. On his fifth rotation he was stopped by a child, roughly his size yet appearing out of nowhere.

    ¡°Hello mista.¡± An wobbly accent came out. The girl looked to be a vague combination of races. With long ears like elves, fangs like vampires, and the hardened skin of a kapre, the girl was a shockingly adorable mixture.

    The previous Oligarchs of Periatus ordered mixed race policies and were the most extreme in them. While most provinces and regions had roughly a mixed race population in the zero point seven percent, Periatus had twenty four percent in their numbers. If there is one thing that I can commend the Oligarch of Periatus, it is that he, in his infinite foolishness, held a simple truth.

    That mixed race couples were not cringe.

    The girl was soon followed by a gang of kids, of similar blend of beings. Everytime Skaldi finds himself in this province he is always shocked despite remembering its population.

    ¡°Hello kids. What do you guys want?¡± Skaldi questioned, examining them for any defect. Their glowing brown eyes were as innocent as a babies, and their smiles were strong and healthy. Vastly different from a normal human, but still humanoid, and as unsuspecting as any other groups of children.

    ¡°Tell us, are you an elfy?¡± The girl was their leader and with enough time Skaldi knew she was just a curious teen. Scruffy and with a bounce in her step, she looked to be of great fitness. Skaldi envied that immensely, now shifting his back to look taller than he really was.

    ¡°Yes. I am indeed an elfy. And who might you be?¡± Skaldi knew, with a flourish of his hands, he could present as a noble or aristocrat. He enjoyed inspiring amazement in those that wondered about his origin. He got to play them a fool and assumed great fun and power.

    ¡°You are? That¡¯s so cool! Sorry sir, I¡¯m Mariato! I¡¯m a Kapavamp, my friendos all are. And we¡¯ve never seen one of you elfys before. Where do you come from?¡± She said with excitement. No hatred or argonance, just ignorance. Skaldi loathed that in most people, but he understood in poorer folk.

    ¡°I come from lands far north. Across vast holes in the world and in the densest forests, my people come from.¡± Skaldi made his sprawling hair into a cape, enhancing his manufactured persona. Many of the kids opened their mouths in awe. The redhead got a glimmer of sugar rotten teeth.

    ¡°Crafted out of the bark of the ironwood, we elfys are creatures of the forest. Far more noble than any Oligarch could be.¡± The kids listened closely and all of them were amazed.

    ¡°We elfys are descendants of the supernatural. And I? Am I-¡±

    ¡°Really short!¡± Vega blurted out as she hopped out of the cart. The kapavamps jumped back at the sight of her, taking all attention from Skaldi. Mariato, the bravest, held out a hand to Vega, which she promptly shook.

    ¡°Hello! How is everybody doing?¡± Vega spoke like a child speaking to a litter of puppies. The kids surrounded Vega quickly, as Skaldi gasped in anger. This was going to be his chance to inspire the kids and make them awed by his existence. Now that chance was forlorn.

    ¡°What are you missy?¡± A kid prodded.

    ¡°Are you a spirit? Can you bless us, spirit lady?¡± Another pleaded.

    ¡°Where do you come from?¡± One last kid finished as Mariato shushed the group. She spun around on her heels and bowed to Vega.

    ¡°Sorry missy spirit lady! We just haven¡¯t seen anything like you before, so my friendos are excited.¡± The teen said in a voice that begged forgiveness.

    ¡°No-no worries. I get it a lot. Plus, I never seen people like ya before and ya are being nice. That¡¯s new.¡± Vega pulled an object and held it out to the mob.

    ¡°Here, I want ya to have this.¡± Everyone leaned in to see it was a rock. This same rock was given to Vega as a form of payment, as she was told it was a silver coin. While shaped like a coin, it would be obvious it wasn¡¯t to anyone looking. If anyone weren¡¯t these kids.

    ¡°Thanks so much spirit miss! We¡¯ll make it our treasured treasure!¡± The crowd of kids dispersed with Vega waving kids off.

    ¡°Kind-kind of makes ya want kids of your own, don¡¯t it?¡± Vega said to Skaldi, not noticing his annoyed eyes. She climbed up on the wagon and went back to gambling, just the redhead kicked it in frustration.

    ¡°Hello mista.¡± Mariato was right behind him.

    ¡°What the! Hell girl, you have to stop creeping up on people like that. What do you want?¡± He said with his face not pointed to her.

    ¡°Can you¡­ keep going with your story?¡± Skaldi suddenly shifted his head to the girl. That was new.

    ¡°Uh¡­ sure. No, yes I will!¡± Skaldi proclaimed. As the minutes passed by, along with swigs of wine, Skaldi created the most excellent fabrication of his life. Hordes of legionaries, the romance of spirits, and a red haired elf in it all.

    Mariato had this shine in her eyes that recorded the performance. I have observed such things in my own life, the type of eyes you knew were keeping the event they saw forever. Just how a mountain is forever shaped by the rain and earth, so was her perception. The orbs projected her imagination of the events told, similar to Vega¡¯s eyes.

    Skaldi knew the power his story would have on the teen. It is often among poorer folk that stories that foster hope in hopeless situations are valued. If they aren¡¯t wealthy in coin, they are wealthy in lore.

    When the story came to a close, Skaldi analyzed Mariato¡¯s face. Her skin looked cleaner and younger after meeting him. But he also saw her rugged clothes, made of coarse cloth. He couldn¡¯t lift her or her friends out of poverty. Yet, Skaldi started to count out some gold coins.

    ¡°Here.¡± Skaldi tossed a pouch to the girl. She lifted it up and with a few seconds of fumbling, saw its innards.

    ¡°What is this, elfy?¡± Mariato dropped the contents of the pouch in her palms, showing about fifteen gold pieces. Most people of the Oligarchy were farmers, so they had little need for coins outside of the rare visit to a town or city. It was a remarkable event to even see silver, and gold was legendary to rural places. The teen was holding legendary material in her hand. Skaldi was definitely not conning her

    ¡°And here, take this!¡± He tossed his old helmet to the lap of the girl.

    ¡°I don¡¯t have a need for it right now, but I want you to have it. Take good care of it and it¡¯ll take good care of you. And that gold? Don¡¯t spend it on cheap wine, use it to help your community or something. Okay?¡± Skaldi lectured to the teen. Mariato had a few tears around her eyes. All in just a instant, her life was changed for the better. She nodded with firm conviction, and Skaldi knew she would use the resources for good. Even better, she¡¯d know him as a good role model.

    ¡°Thank you elfy! Thank you!¡±

    ¡°The name is Skaldi. Stay in school kid!¡± Mariato nodded once more and raced off into a distant plantation. Skaldi tried to gulp some more wine until he realized his flask was empty. Along with a pot. And another pot. And some more. Skaldi had drunk a couple gallons of wine.

    ¡°Oh god damn it.¡± Skaldi muttered while he had to lean onto the wagon for support. Just as he realized his poor decision, the party exitted with a tray of their food.

    ¡°Hey sweetie! Food is-¡± Bolato realized Skaldi¡¯s drunkenness.

    ¡°Oh god damn it.¡±

 Chapter 17: Sour Souls (Part 2!)

    Chapter 17: Sour Souls (Part 2!)

    The sun was now shining overhead as Amir finished his porridge. Bread and porridge might be the meal an Iozian eats for most of their lives. It wasn¡¯t bland, but after a month in Core Civitus tends to sour one¡¯s taste.

    Skaldi also soured Amir¡¯s mood, since the elf was leaning on him. His breath reeked and disturbed as he was trying to teach the girls.

    ¡°Hey Amir¡­ can you stop speaking that stupid language? It¡¯s hard to think when you¡¯re saying those dumb words.¡± Amir knew that Skaldi was having a bout of being a bitch.

    ¡°Skaldi, can you please shut up?¡± Florato was also in a mood, that being disappointment. The elf slowly shifted away and now was leaning on Vega.

    ¡°Just ignore Flo, Skaldi usually gets like this on trips.¡± Valiato offered an excuse, which Florato disliked.

    ¡°Can¡¯t believe you guys are gonna try to rob a bank. You¡¯re screwed.¡± Florato complained.

    But there was nothing she could do but to listen to her, afterall she was trying to catch up to her in terms of language. The actress saw her alert eyes, tracking the lessons Amir made. She was amazed but also a bit ashamed. She was a solid decade younger than her and was outpacing tenfold.

    ¡°~Florato, count with me.~¡± Amir noticed the sheet which the actress was stuck on, so he started to count with his fingers. Florato slowly sounded out the words, with Amir confirming by a singular puff from his nose.

    ¡°~ And ten¡­ sorry about my pace.~¡± Florato cracked her fingers.

    ¡°~Don¡¯t be.~¡± Amir said quickly before the actress continued her study. Vega also was studying. It looked like another mysterious parchment of commanding lettering was in her backpack.

    ¡°Hey guys? Did ya-ya put any weird stuff in here?¡± The scarecrow quiered.

    ¡°Yep, this big juicy ass!¡± Skaldi chuckled. Valiato looked at Bolato briefly to see if he was the one that put the believed ass in the pack. The soldier shook his head no. Skaldi¡¯s drunkard persona continued much to the party¡¯s disliking of it.

    Vega again, seemed to be studying something. Not with her eyes, but her none existent ears.

    ¡°Hey guys? Do ya-ya hear that? Sounds like people laughing!¡± Bolato turned his head to the left, staring at the icicles still in the vines. A hard wind blasted through and the clashing of ice made a weird song. The chomping and throaty bounce of the jungle sounded, it that instant, like children snickering. It was a mocking laugh, like a mischievous plan was about to be activated.

    Bolato knew something was off.

    ¡°Amir. You¡¯re with me.¡± He signaled to Amir to get ready, as the large Tripol rose pulling out an axe at his side.

    ¡°Florato, if you see anyone rushing the cart, you get out of here as fast as possible.¡± The actress was taken aback. This was the first time that Bolato appeared in a routine. His posture was tall and firm, and the way he pulled out his sword and shield was that of a flower blooming. Natural and elegant, an odd pairing for the round Bolato.

    The two men squeezed through the environment, with Bolato at the front. In a couple of seconds, they discovered the source of the mockery. An outpost looking like that of a terrified corpse. Ice formed spilling guts, the wood cut skin, and the mudbrick foundation a crushed head.

    The laughing ceased, along with the chaos of the scene. The noise was the silence that followed a fierce argument, tranquil and striking.

    Amir made a fist to Bolato and pointed it to the left. Bolato saw a shadow, malformed and almost posed in a coughing position. Bolato made two slashes in the air, and Amir got the message. With the strength of a bear and the speed of a viper, Tripol threw his spear at it.

    Clang!

    As the spear ricocheted off the metal, sparks flew. Now shaking in clear light, what they had thought to be a threat was only a rusted set of Tripolian armor. Not a poor set, crafting weapons of war is no dismissed task. But the orange leaves that was the rust on it reflected what it was. A tool that had long since it was useful. At least to the pair.

    ¡°Huh, they must have left camp a long time ago. Still, armor takes a long time to break down like that.¡± Bolato knelt down to battered helmet and laid a thumb on it. He had a simple question, why waste this manufactured beauty and let it fall into disrepair and failure? ¡°Whoever they were, they didn¡¯t care about their stuff.¡±

    Amir agreed as best he could. So he just coughed in the direction of the soldier. Walking around the forgotten outpost, the men looked for other signs of its age. Most of the equipment belonged to the conscripts, those to whom that fighting was a mark of being elite. Long boney spears, and beside them thin wicker shields. Bolato understood well the weakness of the Tripolian war, particularly relating to technology.

    Most of the empire was considered backwards, such as a disturbed and sickly elder. Plenty of the wondrous and advanced innovations that the Oligarchs made yearly resembled divine magic to the Tripolian clans. If I had to compliment Ani, he was obsessed with proving that the Oligarchs weren¡¯t the only ones that could create marvels of progress.

    Their shields could take a bullet from a sling, but any blade or arrow cleaved through them and the unfortunate soldier. Three shields were present in the camp, which Bolato imagined to be accidentally left behind. Amir picked up a pomegranate that was beginning the process of rotting. He breathed in the familiar scent, now a distant relic of a time long past.

    You might be reading a pirated copy. Look for the official release to support the author.

    The elder Tripolian breathed smoothly in the moment, no coughs or disturbance.

    The pair walked back to the cart, as Florato helped Bolato back on.

    ¡°So, you guys haven¡¯t died. What happened, was it just the wind or something?¡± Florato asked as she drove the centuries to move forward.

    ¡°Or the clap of my ass cheeks?¡± Skaldi offered, not aiding Bolato¡¯s quiet fear. The Tripolian recognized the tone of the question, and while not knowing the words, knew what the answer had to be. Amir laid a hand on Bolato¡¯s shoulder, assuring him that he wouldn¡¯t need to deliver the news. The soldier reclined beside Vega, who was still gambling with Valiato.

    ¡°~The Tripolians are here. We saw one of their camps in the forest. Someone will do something because it needs to be done. There is no need to fear.~¡± He had believed that his direct and orderly listing of the events taking place would numb the blow to Florato.

    ¡°~Oh. Okay.~¡± Florato said. Amir was correct.

    ¡°...Oh god oh shit oh fuc-¡± Amir was correct for a moment.

    Now using the vice of gambling to forget, Florato was joining the game with the kid and scarecrow. She observed the dice rolls of the two, Vega¡¯s being very swift and Valiato¡¯s being very long.

    An seemingly insignificant difference, but a notable one if you were the right observer, that being Florato. In her time as an actress she had witnessed those without worry play dice quickly, not much caring about the result and more about the thrill. And those that took a long time shaking the dice in their palm tended to be in debt and whispered small prayers. I have seen this myself and it is very funny. To see a man so longing for coins that what they do is to shake them in their hands.

    I mean, it¡¯s not like the dice are suddenly going to grant you fortune just because you bounce them around longer. Silly addicts.

    The noise of rumbling dice was breaking Bolato¡¯s focus. He looked for a landmark, a sign that order would be in place. His eyes found a distant aqueduct, modest and made of terracotta. Finally, a symbol of power in the Oligarchy. Seeing an aqueduct reassured me that a city was coming up.

    But within minutes that confidence broke yet again. Bolato saw a sewage plant. A forgotten sewage plant. The city coming up didn¡¯t have proper sewage treatment.

    Core Civitus is the exception when it comes to cities in the Oligarchy, and for good reason. The Oligarch of Suncatch spent more time and money ensuring that the city and systems would be funded, at the cost of his own army.

    In its water soaked walls, Civitus didn¡¯t have the malaria of mosquitoes or the stench of excrement. Tidy, the city was the clear skinned cousin to a family with acne. By using two soul gems, the Oligarch of Suncatch ordered no pests carrying diseases could enter and that sewage would disappear when the correct ritual was performed. This led to very upset priests, but no price is too great for a healthy city.

    Exhausting soul gems was no easy decision and the Oligarchs were very careful about their use. Except Oligarchs like the one of Periatus. He and many others spent their money on their own lives, not sparing any on their subjects. While those bratty fools didn¡¯t spare a thought for money, they did for soul gems. Yet, the Oligarch of Periatus only thought of them as how he could use it to have fun.

    As they reached noon, they reached the outskirts of the city. Spreading out like a deck of cards, the city folded atop the forest hills of the land. Its color was that of suffocated skin, bluish and hideous. A few empty gardens formed red stab wounds, as their over growing plants made specks of blood.

    Every fourth person in Jinmai was the descendant of a slave. Their lives weren¡¯t far worse for the average Iozian, but they didn¡¯t have an easy time. A majority of the city were freemen, not having the same privileges of the citizens. Think of the citizen as a middle class man, owning either a house or a luxury apartment. Comparing that to a freeman whose house was shared with extended family or an unsafe and flammable apartment, it''s not a pleasant life. And knowing your distant ancestors suffered similar to you doesn¡¯t inspire much hope.

    Slaves in the old Oligarchy were only tools, that being the literal meaning of the word in Iozian. Tool-hands is a humorous name for a person treated the same as cattle if not worse. I have to admire the Iozians for their humor!

    The wagon approached the gate of the city which was made of splintering logs. Bolato stood up, looking at the thin towers beside it, checking for anyone. He saw only the faint shadows of the inside, nothing else showing life.

    ¡°Hey, Vega. You wouldn¡¯t mind giving the inside a check?¡± Bolato gestured to her to come over.

    ¡°Sure-sure! But how do I get in?¡± Bolato immediately lifted her off the ground and held her like a javelin. ¡°Man, ya are real smart.¡± Vega looked at Bolato, but he was visibly planning for the right target to pelt her at.

    ¡°Just look for the guards. If you don¡¯t find them in five minutes, just open the gate and come back. Got it?¡±

    ¡°Got it.¡± Kaliba confirmed for the scarecrow, as he seemingly got a head start and flew off the wall.

    ¡°That¡¯s the idea!¡± Bolato pulled his arm back, and hurled Vega into the tower. Flying into the room, Vega bounced off the stands of equipment, like a ball to the wall. Eventually after a while of knocking over everything, Vega picked herself off and began her search.

    Exiting the tower, the scarecrow was consumed by the smoky atmosphere of the city. These thin blue veins of smoke were broken as Vega walked past. One sign that had collapsed on the ground read ¡®Jinmai¡¯. Upon reading, Vega waved and smiled at it.

    ¡°Hello Jin! Nice to meet ya-ya. You wouldn¡¯t happen to know where the guards are, would ya?¡± A brick fell on the street to her right.

    ¡°That way?¡± Another brick fell, which Vega took as confirmation.

    ¡°Alright! Thanks Jin!¡± Climbing up the hill, Vega swam through the smoke. The song of this town was notably hard to hear. Not none existent, more like the murmurings of a disturbed priest. The cracking of a distant flame paired well with the tempo, forging a mysterious chant. Vega loved this song and began to write it down.

    Her attempt to translate the noise of Jinmai could only be best called cute and juvenile. In reality it was more random nonsense Vega made. However her writing stopped as she came to the apartment. It was the only building of the city which had candles as well as the hard to hear whispers Vega loved. The rest of the city were failing organs while the apartment was still thinking brain.

    Coming to the door of the apartment, she peered an eye into its cracks. The room she saw was packed with people, worried and anxious. All of the various shades and stripes, stacked closely like coins Most of them were ugly, weathered by both work and the situation. Plenty of children were restrained by the mothers and grandmothers while a few men argued amongst each other.

    In a lonely corner was a priest. He held a charm close to his mouth, almost sucking on it.

    ¡°I never knew babies could look like that. Cute-cute.¡± Vega continually learned into the door. The vocal battles between the men increased in vigor and volume. After a moment, a man grew tired of arguing and pulled out a blade.

    ¡°I¡¯m done! Either you can help me hunt this Snake Skin, or I¡¯ll do it alone.¡± A pair of women pulled on his shirt, pleading for him not to go. Vega stepped back, giddy with excitement.

    ¡°I can¡¯t wait! More people!¡± She whispered to herself. The door swung open and the whole room was stiffened like statues. Vega, being the social scarecrow that she was, leapt onto the man.

    ¡°You need help?! I can help-help ya!¡± Again, the room didn¡¯t move. A tense encounter with an animated being was the most incredible event they had ever seen, much less thought would happen. In their minds, they asked whether or not she was a demon or a ghost. A voice answered.

    ¡°Praise be to Recor! He has sent us a spirit to cleanse our city!

 Chapter 18: Into the Pit (Part 1!)

    Chapter 18: Into the Pit (Part 1!)

    In all my time ruling and learning about the world, questions were my favorite tool. If I had to pick the most important question, it would be this¡­

    How can we make good behavior not only a choice, but a good one?

    I¡¯d supposed it would, again, begin at the hands. And it is necessary that they be open. Much like the howling priest¡¯s, now worshiping Vega.

    ¡°His beauty has blessed us with a savior. Praise be to Recor!¡± Quickly the whole apartment took to praying to Vega, kowtowing to the disturbed scarecrow.

    ¡°Uhh, okay? Do ya guys still need help or¡­¡±

    ¡°Yes holy spirit! There is a demon in our city!

    ¡°Is it a Gello!?¡±

    ¡°No, it''s much worse! Its¡­ it¡¯s a snake!¡± The priest pleaded, half confused that Vega didn¡¯t see it.

    ¡°Oh! I can take care of that easily. Just point me in the direction and we¡¯ll get it done.¡± The priest straightened his back and leaned to the face of Vega.

    ¡°We?¡±

    Within the minute Vega led the group to the apartment, much to the surprise of the priest. The rest of the people in the apartment flooded out, with a nurse conducting a less than harmonic hymn for the scarecrow. As the priest considered the foreign and bizarre ¡®friends¡¯, he reminded himself that spirits when desperate enlisted the help of mortals.

    ¡°Oh holy spirit, thank you graciously. The snake has fallen into our sewers and we are too few to rid it. Go with strength and praise to Recor.¡±

    ¡°Praise be!¡± Vega replied, now skipping to the newest drain. Bolato read the remaining people of the city. Roughly a hundred, perhaps more, were still hiding.

    ¡°Priest, are you the only ones that remain in Jinmai? Where are the guards?¡± Bolato questioned. The priest opened his mouth but swiftly closed his teeth, gritting them together. His eyes closed, conceding an unknown tragedy.

    ¡°They had sent snakes all round the city, igniting them. Even after hours and they were reduced to muscles, they still ran. Luckily as the day passed, the inferno ceased. But there still remained a snake that wasn¡¯t burned, and we haven¡¯t seen anyone outside the apartment in a week.¡±

    ¡°You¡¯re a good man Priest. Not many people would stick around. Take care of your people, and we¡¯ll take care of the snake.¡± Bolato understood the severity of the snake, for it was no simple animal. Equipping his shield and helmet, he fastened them tightly to his body.

    ¡°Florato, you wouldn¡¯t mind playing a few songs for the people?¡± The actress took a quick glance and then nodded. She hopped off and began searching for a suitable instrument to calm them.

    ¡°Valiato and Skaldi, you¡¯re going to stay here.¡±

    ¡°Bola, but I-¡±

    ¡°No buts. If you get bored, you can hang out with Florato.¡± Valiato turned to the actress who was grabbing the attention of the crowd. ¡°Don¡¯t make too much noise. You remember who we are.¡± Bolato crossed his arms.

    ¡°But I want to hang out with Vega¡­¡± Her voice lowered and her eyes were mad. All Bolato could do was ensure the kid would be safe.

    He stepped to the scarecrow, as she was wrenching the sewer grate with her pickaxe. When she opened it a rotten gas burst out, causing the soldier¡¯s eyes to water.

    ¡°Whoo! That¡¯s hideous.¡±

    ¡°What-what does it smell like?¡± Vega knelt down beside the opening and lowered her head. In that moment, she desperately desired Bolato¡¯s ability to smell, just as he was tying a scarf around his face.

    ¡°Like a job that needs to be done. Let¡¯s head down.¡± Stepping on the ladder, the pair climbed into the refuse ridden sewer.

    Fattened by stale water and dung, the sewer was a bloated and dying organ. Each step he took, Bolato noticed more aqueducts weren¡¯t in use. Running water wouldn¡¯t eradicate the stench, but it would help the blockages formed on the path.

    ¡°Whatever you do, keep quiet. And hold this, make sure it doesn¡¯t go out.¡± Muffled, Bolato handed over a flash stick and struck against the wall. A few stars burned and now the pair could see.

    In this system Bolato felt lucky he could stand up straight, as most waste treatment was done by tunnels a person could only crouch in. A few mosquitoes buzzed right by the soldier, but he took precaution by applying a thick gel on his exposed skin. Vega did not have any anti insect precautions, since numerous mosquitoes and bugs flew around her like a hive.

    ¡°Hello bugs. Be careful, there¡¯s a snake-snake around.¡± Vega spoke quietly as the distant chants of the apartment faded away.

    Minutes drowned away in the dark waste, with both Bolato¡¯s and Vega¡¯s patience draining. Bolato was slowly angered by the increasingly more common barriers that disallowed them to find the snake. Vega differed, as there was no rhythm in this place.

    Not even the chorus of chirping bugs were enjoyable, as they resembled an argument in a foreign language. No rushing water, no bubbles, just a wasteland of sound.

    You could be reading stolen content. Head to Royal Road for the genuine story.

    Upon turning the corner, Bolato was hoping that something would attack him, to break the dull pain. In war, he encountered such a feeling often. Marching, set up camp, sleeping, and then repeating. Same story with the navy, just sailing to destinations with no end in sight. But just like his desertion, he found a means to break the monotony.

    ¡°Vega, do you see that platform over there?¡± Bolato whispered, pointing his sword to wooden scaffolding drowned in darkness.

    ¡°Yep-yep. Why do ya ask?¡± Vega quired. The scarecrow felt their voices bounce off the walls of the system, and she noticed there wasn¡¯t a bridge to get to the scaffolding. She would have been willing to hop into the sewage but she had taken a bath an hour before.

    Vega looked around for a way to get to it. Bolato picked her up just as he had done ten minutes prior.

    ¡°Is this going to be-be what happens every time ya can¡¯t get into something?¡± Vega shot a look at the soldier.

    ¡°Yeah.¡± Bolato shrugged.

    ¡°Awesome! Throw me! Throw me!¡± Bolato chucked Vega over the gap and into the structure. She swung her pickaxe into one of its poles and angled a landing inside. Getting her bearings, she saw that it was a series of levers beside a few pipes.

    ¡°There should be a lever labeled ¡®Storm¡¯. Pull it!¡± Bolato quietly yelled. Vega read fast and within a second pulled the level. A pipe sloshed with water and out came a steady pool of steaming water.

    ¡°Jump back now!¡± Bolato held out his arms to Vega. She hopped down right into his arms.

    ¡°Can we-we do that again?¡± Vega squeezed his arms, just as the water broke down a blockage.

    ¡°Absolutely.¡± Every ten minutes they came across another aqueduct and every time they repeated the same routine. Throw the scarecrow at the target, she pulls a lever, and then water makes the sewer more easy to traverse.

    Luckily, the water pouring in created a new stench, resembling that of a wet dog. Much better than the rotting dung before.

    Not only this, but now rushing waters masked their sounds, allowing them to talk more freely.

    ¡°Hey Bolato, are ya gay?¡±

    If Vega wasn¡¯t a fucking scarecrow I would be very upset with her question.

    ¡°That I am, yes. Are you going to ask how I found out?¡± Bolato¡¯s chill attitude began to return, now able to tolerate the sewer.

    ¡°Yuh huh! Why do ya like guys when girls are right there?¡± Bolato laid a hand on his chin and stopped. Vega knew he was constructing some remarkable beauty that would grant her a new perspective.

    ¡°Why do people sleep? Why do children run to the bakery to eat sweets? And why does Skaldi look so cute?¡± Vega leaned, eager to learn the reason.

    ¡°Because the sun is out. Obviously.¡± Bolato marched on, leaving Vega in awe of his divine wisdom.

    The light falling in from the outside turned red in this section of the sewer and turned the roaming halls into arteries and veins. Everything was becoming cleaner and there laid less and less rubbish around. But there was no snake, Vega thought. Perhaps the snake took a nap and hid somewhere.

    ¡°Just a couple more aqueducts and I think the blockage in the east section will be gone. Are you ready for the next one?¡± Bolato ignited another flash stick and tossed the used one into the water. His back towards Vega, he tugged on her shoulder.

    Vega didn¡¯t answer.

    ¡°Well?¡±

    Her eyes were focusing on a figure which Bolato couldn¡¯t see.

    ¡°Vega?¡±

    It wasn¡¯t a snake.

    ¡°What¡¯s wrong?¡±

    The figure was a Snake Skin. And it was right in front of her face.

    ¡°Bolato?¡± Her whimpering voice came out.

    ¡°What is it?¡±

    ¡°Go-go on ahead. I think it''s the voice again.¡±

    ¡°Alright. Just stay right there and don¡¯t make a sound. Who knows where that damn snake is¡­¡± His voice petered off as he walked in the shadowy sewer.

    Massive eyes stared down at Vega, with a burning ¡®S¡¯ for pupils. Its body was mangled and dozens of arrows stuck out of its flesh. Skin formed hardened scales and glistened off the few bits of light coming from above.

    Its few bits of skin that wasn¡¯t ribbed was a wooden color, that of a tree plagued by mushroom rot.

    Vega knew what happened even if she didn¡¯t know how. She saw a human turned into a monster. All sentience and kindness deprived. To even call it a human was an insult to the state of humanity. Like comparing a ruined pile of brick to a thriving city.

    Vega recognized that with its deep crunchy breaths, hunched posture and unblinking eyes.

    Yet, the Snake Skin didn¡¯t attack her. In what remained of its hands was a cutlass and saber. Neither of its arms were raised. Both beings indeed saw each other, but it appeared that the Snake Skin was just looking at Vega. She saw the wandering ¡®S¡¯ roam around, charting each bit of straw and hay on her.

    There was once a time I could confidently say there were no real monsters. It was common knowledge in educated circles that all monstrous and malevolent creatures existed only as demons or the far past. But in times like this, I can confidently say I¡¯m wrong.

    The scarecrow understood the monster¡¯s stare. She had the same one when asking a question. Whoever the Snake Skin was before had been starved out.

    Evil forces sieged the mind of the person before and conquered them, replacing them with ersatz. All but one thing reminded, that being their curiosity. The eyes looked and looked, just as a person lost looks for a path out. Those sad and devastated eyes looked at Vega. Almost childlike, chaotic and innocent those eyes were.

    The Snake Skin couldn¡¯t ask a question. It had no mouth, no breath, and no throat. But with eyes like its own, it asked Vega a question.

    What am I?

    Wondrous, was the thought that Vega had. This scarecrow had never seen such a being before, not even in the big city. A person that refused to die. She had learned about miraculous animals and creatures that only existed in distant lands, but that wasn¡¯t here or there.

    At best, it was a sour imitation of a miraculous wonder, that being death. But the Snake Skin was real and happening in front of her.

    Ghost, she held the word in her mind. Maybe that¡¯s what it was. Valiato is a ghost somehow, but this was a real undying soul.

    Her admiration for the being faded away as she noticed it wasn¡¯t doing anything. Only standing and gazing at her. Vega was alway industrious, even in her leisure. Rarely did she encounter a person willing to laze about. But is the being before her really capable of anything? She wanted answers.

    The scarecrow reached out for the Snake Skin¡¯s hand. She wrapped her glove around the wrist and the being prompt dropped its weapons.

    ¡°Hello¡­¡± Vega offered a conversation. The being couldn¡¯t accept, as Vega said no command.

    ¡°What¡¯s ya name?

    ¡­Nothing¡­

 Chapter 18: Into the Pit (Part 2!)

    Chapter 18: Into the Pit (Part 2!)

    ¡°...Want to go somewhere else?¡± For a long time the Snake Skin didn¡¯t respond. When she opened her mouth to ask again, the Snake Skin motioned his head up and down repeatedly.

    ¡°Vega! Where are you?¡± Bolato¡¯s yell finally reached her. The Snake Skin¡¯s eyes sharpened into thin razors, ready to slash at any unfortunate victim.

    ¡°Please. Don¡¯t make a-a sound and don¡¯t move.¡± The Snake Skin stomped towards the direction Bolato¡¯s voice came from and Vega pushed it back.

    ¡°Do it for me? Will ya?¡± She asked, half politely and half commandingly. That was enough for the Snake Skin for it stopped and stood at attention. Looking over her shoulder, she went to Bolato. Before passing the corner, she gave a smile and a wave to the being. The Snake Skin couldn¡¯t wave back.

    ¡°What took you so long?¡± Bolato beckoned, now raising a brow at the scarecrow.

    ¡°It was just the voice again. Ya ever heard voices like that?¡±

    ¡°Back when I was in the army, but that doesn¡¯t matter. I found it.¡± Bolato knelt down to the flowing river of trash.

    ¡°Found what-what?¡±

    ¡°Found that snake.¡± He pointed his blade to a body in the water, wearing similar clothes and with an equally enormous amount of arrows.

    ¡°Looks like our work is done, time to head-¡± Vega got in front of the soldier.

    ¡°Wait!¡±

    ¡°What is it now?¡± Bolato took off his helmet, believing that the sewer was still safe.

    ¡°Don¡¯t go-go all the way back. Just use the¡­¡± Vega searched for a way out and quickly found it, much to her relief. ¡°The ladder!¡±

    ¡°Oh. Good eye.¡± Bolato began to climb up towards the hole above them. Vega wiped a figurative tear off her forehead.

    ¡°Are you coming up or what?¡± Bolato gestured to her to follow him up.

    ¡°Nah, I¡¯m gonna go look-look for treasure!¡± She sped away, out of the soldier¡¯s sight.

    ¡°You know what, fair.¡± Bolato walked back to notify the city.

    Racing towards the Snake Skin, Vega was pleased that it hadn¡¯t moved an inch. Or a centimeter¡­ Or a millimeter¡­ Or at all...

    ¡°Alright! Time to show you off to¡­ every¡­one¡­¡± Vega¡¯s none existent heart sank. Something wrong was happening again, and now it burned in her chest. Vega imagined a fate for the Snake Skin, where it encountered only doom.

    It made sense to Vega, since that was all the Iozains offered to ghosts. How did she know this all of a sudden? Why am I knowing all of these unkind truths? That and many other questions scattered and shot around her head.

    ¡°Okay¡­ new-new plan.¡± She opened her hand to the being, who only stared down at her.

    ¡°Don¡¯t you want to find out?¡± She smiled as best she could under the pain of emotion. Eventually, the Snake Skin gripped her softly, much like a babe to a parent¡¯s hand.

    Vega hurried throughout the halls, as the Snake Skin dragged its feet wherever she ran. Searching desperately for an exit that didn¡¯t lean to the city, Vega darted and dashed over and under the space. Stopping every corner to listen for the melody of flowing air, it was hard to decipher in the orchestra of crashing water.

    Naturally, the scarecrow found a means to leave, but one that was less than easy to get to. At the end of the hall she discovered a rectangular operating system for the whole sewage system of the city. One problem, it was flooded.

    ¡°Huh. Well, no one said this was gonna be easy.¡± Now on the staircase above the flooded floor, Vega saw the floating platforms swimming. The scarecrow didn¡¯t want her new friend to drown, so she began testing the pool. Picking up a brick, she threw it into the water. Splashing on impact, the brick sank until it was an indiscernible fog in the water.

    Similarly, she saw the door to the outside was also underwater.

    ¡°Okay¡­ what to do-do?¡± Scoping her entire education for an answer, she pounded her palm with her fist.

    ¡°I got it! Booze!¡± What Vega was really meaning was related to the book Rural Commodities, the one she had read in Core Civitus. One of its sections was dedicated to distillation, the separation of pure elements via boiling and condensation. And the operating room resembled that of a distiller, with pumps and chambers to separate water.

    Hoping from platform to platform, she hoped that there would be a boiler. Looking into one chamber, she discovered a pit full of coals.

    ¡°Boing go!¡± She said, now striking the metal wall to create sparks. Originally these pipes connected to a hypocaust, a room for central heating. Due to the destruction of the city, the pipes shattered and fell into the pool. After a few strikes and adding some tinder, the coals started to warm.

    ¡°Time to make booze!¡± She shouted, now tying together pipes to both pump water out of the room and to send burning heat into the pool. Within minutes and a fire burning red hot, the room steamed up with sewer water.

    ¡°Yeah! Hey buddy, I¡¯m getting ya out of here!¡± The Snake Skin didn¡¯t respond.

    ¡°Dude?¡±

    Nothing.

    ¡°Don¡¯t ya want to¡­ go home or something?¡± She called out. Vega waited. And waited. And waited until the water was all gone. Vega climbed the steps to the eyes of the being. No response.

    Now opening the door to the outside, it was a lush meadow with tall flowers. Vega smiled and grew, happy to be in the song of nature once again. But as she turned to her new friend, their faces weren''t excited. All that Vega could see was an expressionless gaze. No happiness, no pain. Like a night with no moon or stars, simply an empty dark.

    ¡°Follow me. Let me show ya wonderful things. Like bugs and the dew on the grass!¡± Vega tugged the Snake Skin to enjoy the world around it.

    No awe.

    ¡°Look around. The tree-trees and the birds sing to us!¡±

    Unauthorized duplication: this tale has been taken without consent. Report sightings.

    No amazement.

    ¡°...Look¡­ can ya look? Can ya do that? Can¡¯t ya see the beauty around ya?¡± Vega raised her voice to the Snake Skin, in a belief that if she tried hard enough, that they would realize the world was right there. That if she helped them to really know what was there, that their chained curiosity would be escaped from their prison and love what it missed.

    Nothing.

    ¡°...Are ya okay? Where are ya parents?¡± Vega wasn¡¯t smiling anymore. The Snake Skin was only looking down. Not looking down at the flying mosquitoes, or the imprints in the dirt. It was only looking at nothing.

    ¡°Do ya have anyone?¡± Her voice was clear, but still anxiousness was apparent. The Snake Skin didn¡¯t act.

    The scarecrow held out a hand.

    ¡°Don¡¯t ya want to feel?¡± At that moment, the Snake Skin responded. It nodded no.

    ¡°But the world is wonderful. Ya are wonderful.¡± Vega offered. The Snake Skin refused.

    ¡°Maybe¡­ stay here.¡± The Snake Skin ceased moving and the scarecrow raced back to the city. Five minutes later, she came back with her guitar.

    ¡°Hello. I brought-brought something. Something that means a lot to me.¡± She sat down beside the being, who was still looking at nothing.

    ¡°My friend Florato taught me a song. I¡¯m no good at it, but-but it sounds really pretty. I want ya to hear it.¡± Vega strummed her guitar, testing the strings. Tuning one till it sounded correct, Vega began.

    Strings cast a thunderous melody, with each break building up tension. Vega took a glance to see if the Snake Skin was engaging with the song. It wasn¡¯t, but that didn''t stop Vega from singing.

    ¡°My love. The endless line. My love. The expanding line.¡± While her singing was clear, a few of her notes were off. This made her nervous but she summoned herself to continue.

    ¡°But still, I can never reach it. The mountains in the distant plane. The river of the far off plane. My love. The unreachable line. The untouchable lone.¡± Vega sang, just as her heart pained. With each additional moment, her playing of the guitar grew poorer and poorer.

    ¡°But that doesn¡¯t matter¡± The Snake Skin spoke. Vega¡¯s head jumped upward, now seeing the being looking out to the horizon. He had a raspy speech and it came from the stomach.

    ¡°My love. My endless love. My expanding love. It will cross wasteland and valley.¡± The Snake Skin sank down and sat beside Vega, now admiring all that it could sense. Vega envied that look. The look a person has when all of life and experience in a singular moment was acknowledged as good and all the past was justified.

    All the happenings and events lead up to this lonely joy, therefore all that pain was worth it.

    ¡°I love the horizon. The horizon. For all things I love lie beside it.¡±

    The two joined in song. A bloodied monster and a disturbed scarecrow melded together. Chirps from the birds high in the sky added to the somber strums and strings. The Snake Skin laid his head on the shoulder of Vega. In that moment, I know, there was peace made.

    A union of vulgarity and tranquility.

    ¡°My love. I wish to rest beside you¡­¡±

    As Vega finished the song, she realized she closed her eyes as the Snake Skin rested. Opening them, she saw that the Snake Skin was no longer moving. He had passed. I assure you my dear student, he died happy.

    The scarecrow couldn¡¯t know that. Vega gained an awful emotion.

    She became sad that the ghost died without listening to a good song. Then she was happy immediately after since she believed that the Snake Skin would met Recor in heaven. All she could do was believe.

    When making his grave, she noticed an odd burn on him. A brand was on his hand. It was a rough cant that had read¡­

    ¡°A Snake Skin, created by Ani Arma.

    Made from the body of a dead soldier.

    To the Iozian reading this, may your life be short and wisdom forever unattainable.¡±

    Vega remembered the name, spoken when she first entered into Core Civitus. Upon completing the burial, she knew she had to speak to Bolato.

    The people were pleased with the entertainment, as was Florato. It had only been roughly thirty minutes of playing the twin flutes, but her body grew tired.

    ¡°Thank you, we never knew that spirits had the company of tribals, thank you!¡± The priest shook her hand fiercely which caught Florato off guard.

    ¡°Y-yes. Yeah I get that a lot.¡± Florato said while wiping her hand off her sleeve.

    ¡°Florato! I¡¯m back-back!¡± Vega shouted as she raced up the hill towards the group. Florato took this as an opportunity to leave the company of the eccentric priest and booked it to the scarecrow.

    ¡°There you are, what happened?¡± Florato gave a quick hug to her and tapped her guitar to sense any defect.

    ¡°I found a dead guy!¡±

    ¡°...right.¡± Florato¡¯s forehead went purple for a moment and she started to sway side to side. The actress managed to stabilize her stance. ¡°And what did that have to do with the guitar?¡±

    ¡°I played a song for him because he wasn¡¯t feeling anything.¡±

    ¡°Dead¡­people tend to not do that.¡± Florato patted the head of Vega, who then promptly put her head on her chest.

    ¡°Hey priest, did ya tell her that Recor loves her?¡±

    ¡°You know it!¡± The priest snapped both his fingers to Vega. ¡°Let us rejoice at all around us, on this beauteous evening, underneath the sure protection of the ancient scarecrow. Let''s worship!¡± The crowd followed the priest who then lead a quick but uncomfortable service.

    Although being called a spirit, Vega didn¡¯t feel very holy. She didn¡¯t help the Snake Skin be happy. And now he was gone. She failed.

    Now with the service finished, Vega stepped beside Bolato. He was counting slowly the amount of coins to put into a bag.

    ¡°Twenty, twenty one¡­¡± The soldier counted.

    ¡°What are ya doing?¡± Vega lowered her eyes to the coins. Bolato grabbed the coins and placed them in a bag. He looked at the now sleeping Skaldi and wondered how he would react about giving away their money. Bolato didn¡¯t want to find out, and so he tossed the bag to the priest.

    ¡°In that is about twenty five gold coins. You and your people take a day or two to pack up your things and head up north. There''s a town in that direction. Use that money wisely, you got that?¡± The priest nodded and summoned the crowd to their particular duties.

    When Bolato went to step on to the wagon, Vega tugged on his shirt.

    ¡°Bolato¡­ can I ask ya something?¡± Vega said with her eyes looking at the ground. The soldier knew the tone, the one that called for sincerity and honesty.

    ¡°What is it? Are you alright?¡± Florato was just a few feet behind the scarecrow and approached the two.

    ¡°Have ya ever killed anyone Bolato?¡± Vega spoke with convention, with her desire for knowledge driving her voice to speak.

    ¡°Sadly yes, and for all the wrong reasons.¡± Bolato closed his eyes and his brows bent down. But he lifted his eyes to the listeners. ¡°But don¡¯t let death stop you from doing what needs to be done.¡± He proclaimed, half to reassure himself and Florato. Bolato didn¡¯t say this for Vega.

    The soldier mounted onto the wagon and waved the crowd goodbye. Vega waved the city goodbye.

    ¡°Bye Jin! I hope I see ya again.¡± Vega reclined on his seat, right next to Skaldi. He looked very cozy in his blanket. She wondered how it felt, to go to sleep.

    Vega¡¯s curiosity was challenged that day. It almost died, with her perhaps choosing that not learning would prevent that odd feeling she had when knowing about tragedy. Maybe going to the voice was a bad thing, maybe that would be her doom. Despite the assault on her persona, she didn¡¯t relent. The Priest spoke that for every great injustice there are thousands of tiny goods that are unnoticed.

    If you don¡¯t go out and seek and promote happiness, eventually it will cease and you will no longer be able to find it. Like a dried up vein of ore, you must constantly fight and dig for your treasured love.

    You must reach out and engage with the everyday good. That is what encourages people to be good. Because being good is a choice and an easy one.

    The Priest took a moment to think on how to deliver the lesson to Vega. And I must say, he did it quite eloquently.

    ¡°If you dare drop your pickaxe, if you give up, you forfeit everything above the stars and lose the world¡¯s grand bounty.¡±

    A howling wind bristled past her. Her eyes went humanoid.

    The voice came back to Vega. It was no longer crying for help. It was now singing, seducing her to come closer. This enchanting voice reassured her. Vega felt reassured, like a child resting in the lap of a parent. That she was making progress. That she was good.

    Vega couldn¡¯t refuse, she didn¡¯t want to stop helping this weird world that she kept living in. She wouldn¡¯t give the chance up. Her eyes returned.

    ¡°...thank ya.¡± Vega muttered out to the starless sky, believing that the voice would hear it.

    But for now, Vega felt she should take a break. Not by drawing or playing cards. She took another look at the sleeping elf and turned to see Florato was also taking a nap. This gave her an idea.

    The scarecrow went to bed.

 Chapter 19: What about Calvin?

    Chapter 19: What about Calvin?

    When I considered my free time, I thought about the places that could be and the faces that could be met. I always favored the potential greatness in random recreation.

    The Mayor however, couldn¡¯t see his free time as anything else beyond a smoke break. Dismas clouded with tobacco fog was a little relieved. As soon as his free time ended, it would be back to addressing the lack of food, which he could do nothing about.

    A recent string of crop failures resulted in a hungry and angry populace. He had already spent his purse ordering payloads but that wasn¡¯t enough.

    Luckily the captain and his troops managed to skewer a whale and bring it to shore, but that couldn¡¯t feed the village all of winter.

    He grabbed a fine moon letter from the young merchant that was supposed to come with the new seeds. Luiocles was meant to arrive a couple months ago but no word arrived from him.

    Mayor Dismas was growing more tense and he took a few puffs from his pipe to relax.

    He looked outside of his window, the only building with glass aside than the Priest¡¯s estates. Dismas tried to imagine what happened to the scarecrow.

    Roughly two and a half months since she went to look for that voice she was talking about. He conjured up a silly clown speech, one that convinced Vega to be gay and commit crimes.

    The Mayor felt a tad bad for creating the image of Vega being exploited. Afterall, Vega was never offensive outside of the fairs. Dismas enjoyed the exercise of thinking about the scarecrow. That didn¡¯t change how the town would get food in their bellies, but it helped him to create a world simple and where things made sense.

    He rose from his bed and stepped into his office. Even in this time of crisis it was so disgustingly clean. Symmetrical and kempt, there was not a place of chaos. Except the letter.

    Dismas pressed a finger tip to it, feeling the dried fur of the tail that bound the paper. He wished he could get a cow, maybe that could fix things. What if he went out and enlisted the help of some nearby towns? Could he go to Core Civitus and get the resources?

    He surprised himself, he started to think of the potential. If he went outside and hitched his horses, perhaps there could be a real peace, not a manufactured one. But Dismas reminded himself he didn¡¯t have the money to make the trip, not even enough to start it. He couldn¡¯t get money from the Priest for he would complain and moan about the temple. Dismas didn¡¯t know what to do.

    A loud beating of wood introduced itself.

    The beat came from the door. This was new, no one attempted to interrupt the Mayor on his day off. Well, Vega did but she doesn¡¯t really count.

    Moving to the door, he held his sword close and pressed his back straighter than a line. He licked a finger and rubbed the ends of his mustache and made curls in his hair. He cleared his throat and prepared himself for a visit that encouraged his unhappy routine.

    ¡°Who is it?¡±

    ¡°Mail for a Mista Mayear!¡± The accent was remarkably urban, very bizarre to hear. His inflection was defined by a high yet rough tone. Definitely not an aristocrat, maybe someone that learned how to read and was so enthralled by books that they adopt such an accent. Then again it could be that the tone of voice was crafted by mingling with free men, associationing the casual communication those populations enforce.

    The Mayor was shocked, he imagined all that just by hearing a man¡¯s voice. It was incredible, Dismas thought. He let go of his sword and opened the door to the rain outside.

    If you encounter this story on Amazon, note that it''s taken without permission from the author. Report it.

    ¡°Are you the Mayor of this village sir?¡± The man was covered head to toe in a straw raincoat. Dismas looked at his orange eyes and knew that he was clearly confused about the mail being sent.

    ¡°Yes, what is the matter son? Are you Luiocles?¡± He said, gently prodding at the mailman¡¯s character.

    ¡°No sir! Its just¡­ someone sent this order.¡±

    ¡°Orders tend to need that.¡±

    ¡°I m-mean that¡­ a like, weird person sent it. Like someone that shouldn¡¯t be able too?¡± The mailman bobbed his head side to side, trying to wrap around the sender¡¯s identity. Dismas wasn¡¯t having the mystery and he took a firm step forward, sending the mailman scooting to the side.

    ¡°Spit it out boy.¡± The Mayor demanded.

    ¡°...it was sent by a scarecrow.¡±

    Dimas squinted his eyes at the mailman and looked upset that the mailman would even suggest a concept like that. Then he remembered a moment later about Vega and grabbed his nose in realization.

    ¡°Ohhhh. Of course.¡±

    ¡°Of course?!¡± The mailman blurted out.

    ¡°Yes of course you imbecile! She¡¯s the only one who would bother to send anything. Come on, tell me the damage.¡± He beckoned with his hand to give him the mail. Dismas noticed that all of his movements now were instinctual rather than forced.

    ¡°Well, it''s not just the message sir. Here!¡± The mail handed over a yellow sheet of paper tied now with a random flower. ¡°I¡¯ll be back in a moment!¡± The mailman raced off into a dark corner of the village.

    Dismas looked around for anyone at this hour that was awake. No one in sight, just a river of water falling from the sky. He held the letter to his nose and sniffed for its location. The paper smelt wooden, it even had a bit of splinter on it. It didn¡¯t smell particularly vulgar, which disappointed the Mayor.

    He carefully untied the letter and leaned onto the door frame. His eyes looked over the writing which had read¡­

    ¡°Der Mista Mayear,

    I jasst got bacc fram a begg caancert. I em havin fun an stuf,

    I mat a pretti lady reecantli. See is eally cewl.

    Allseww I larned how ta rite a bitt beter. I don¡¯t noo y.

    Bye da weighh, I saent samm coins bacc. Laave u,

    Fram,

    Vagaa ta Scarrcrow

    PeeS

    Taa lady haas beeg muscles. I fell dat u mighh want ta noo dat.¡±

    Not only did the letter have a crude bit of writing, it also had crude drawings. Three ¡®things¡¯ were drawn. Vega was at the center with simple dots for eyes, a weird black triangle that was labeled Kaliba.

    The last one had a stick figure of a woman and it appeared that Vega chose to draw two rectangles for her arms. It seemed in her mad drawing she forgot to label Florato¡¯s name.

    But don¡¯t worry, she made sure that she wrote ¡®BUFFY¡¯ and made an arrow to her arms.

    ¡°Well, disregarding that blatant dehumanization, what is that? Coins?¡± Dismas held the writing close to his eyes and in the next moments he heard wheels turning on wet ground.

    ¡°Hello sir! A delivery of forty thousand gold has arrived.¡± The mailman said, now mounted on a horse covered in armor and pulling a cart behind him. ¡°Minus whatever the Oligarchs taxed¡­¡±

    ¡°Of course. That would make sense¡­¡± Dismas'' neck craned back and he strolled over to the cart. With the help of a mailman, they opened up the cart. Thousands of golden Oligarch and spirit faces met them. Pure Iozian gold.

    ¡°Holy shit.¡± Dismas laughed out. Then he had an idea. ¡°Son, how much are the people you¡¯re working with paying you?¡±

    ¡°A hundred brass for each job, why you ask?¡±

    ¡°How would you like to become my personal courier? I offer gold as payment.¡± Dismas roared out to him. The mailman''s eyes opened wide and fast, and a great smile rose on his face.

    ¡°Yes sir!¡±

    ¡°Alright. Go over to the fortress, bring the captain over, now!¡± The mailman nodded and raced off to the distant fort. Dismas was astonished. A scarecrow managed to win the Concert of Combat!

    Not only this, but she was kind enough to send a portion of her earnings. Dismas stared at the many gold faces and understood what was the solution. He was no longer going to waste away, he was finally going to turn this wasteland into an oasis of life.

    And he had enough gold not only to get the food needed, but to make so many great and wondrous improvements to the village. Build a new aqueduct, construct a tunnel in order to get to neighboring villages, recruit engineers galore!

    He imagined sending a gift, maybe even a letter to Vega.

    Maybe in a couple years it would be a town, Dismas pondered. He turned to the water soaked road, and in that moment a strong breeze blew past. Dismas embraced the wind with great love.

    ¡°Thank you so much! Now I¡¯m not going to be so fucking bored!¡±

 Chapter 20: A Elf that Survived

    Chapter 20: A Elf that Survived

    One, we are not new. Our stories are older than when the eagle landed on the rock of Civitus. Two, a lot of us are here because the Oligarchy was there. Three, once any group of people becomes a part from the whole, it¡¯s no longer a question of how those people over there are doing or whether or not they¡¯re making it.

    We are saying to the rest of the Oligarchy, ¡°We are you, you are us, our fates intertwined, perhaps to a degree that makes you uncomfortable but that doesn¡¯t change the fact that our fates are blended¡±.

    That truth requires all Iozians to change what we think of this land. No longer as Kai Ren, Sanguian, or Matigas thing that ended up incorporating or absorbing other cultures, but as a continent sized country that was ghostly at its birth.

    Skaldi is that same type of ghost, pushing against any indecency whether it be adversary or ally. Vega was neither.

    ¡°Do you wish we could have stay-stayed?¡± Vega asked. The party all rested inside the wagon, wearing wool blankets and feather pillows they bought passing by towns.

    It was the same story as Jinmai and Vein Xinyuai. Either bandits were bleeding the places dry or they had recently been sieged by Tripolians.

    ¡°What, you wanted to stay in the snow for longer? Please, Vein Xinyuai is overrated.¡± Skaldi asked, wide awake and looking off into the purple sky.

    Both the elf and the scarecrow remained awake in the night, much to Amir¡¯s disappointment. The Tripol made hurricanes with how angrily he was blowing through his nose. He had hoped Vega¡¯s attempt to sleep would work.

    To say Vega went to sleep would be a lie. She TRIED to go to sleep, much like how you try to eat healthy even though you don¡¯t know how.

    She tried closing her eyes, didn¡¯t work. She tried putting a pillow on her head, didn''t work. Following that she decided to hug the sleeping actress, that just made it harder to sleep.

    Turns out being a fucking scarecrow means having to rest is impossible.

    Who would have thought?

    ¡°By the way can you stop using my hand to brush your hat, it''s weird.¡± Skaldi pulled his hand away, now looking at the echoes of stars.

    ¡°Sorry, it''s just¡­ I want to know-know how ya feel-feel.¡± Vega closed her hands on her knees.

    ¡°Feel? Don¡¯t you feel?¡± Skaldi chuckled.

    ¡°Nope.¡±

    ¡°Why not? You can think¡­ Well, I don¡¯t know about thinking, but you can understand ideas, right?¡± Skaldi insulted, trying to get Vega to be angered and make some fuse that would cause Amir to turn her into another pretzel.

    ¡°Kinda.¡± Vega rubbed her bandage nose.

    ¡°I suppose that makes sense.¡±

    ¡°But ya still haven¡¯t answered the question.¡± Vega turned onto her side looking directly at the redhead¡¯s eyes. Skaldi wished he couldn¡¯t think about the town. How vulnerable they were. How vulnerable he was. How weak he was.

    ¡°It¡¯s okay that we didn¡¯t get to finish the ceremony.¡± Vega broke his anxiety. Skaldi still chose not to look at her but his ears were still open.

    ¡°What matters is that-that we tried to make a world with less suffering.¡± Vega smiled a toothless grin and looked out to the nearby city.

    Even there, Skaldi couldn¡¯t quite believe Vega. He had lived for twenty odd years and never saw his acts of kindness repaid. Bolato¡¯s just ways never yielded anything. Skaldi sadly believed that such actions only existed in comics and fairy tales.

    ¡°Speaking of which, look-look!¡± The scarecrow pointed across the horizon.

    Another city, except it wasn¡¯t recovering from the siege. There was no need, for it had already been conquered.

    ¡°~Son of a bitch. Wake up!~¡± Amir slammed his fist onto the wagon, with both the sleeping girls yelping in response. Bolato remained asleep. Florato fluttered her eyes open, annoyed by the yelling.

    ¡°What? What¡¯s¡­ oh son of a bitch.¡± The actress agreed, noticing the distinct signs of war. Large so that they could be felt but foggy enough to be misunderstood. Mild inconveniences that spiraled into wounds. One such wound was the Assembly, it wasn¡¯t open at this hour.

    It might be a bit of culture shock to the scholar reading this, but the Iozians had a great and robust legal system. They had lawyers, divorce courts, and clear motives for their lawmaking. All laws were meant to extract and enhance the good of the people so long as they as well were controlled by the ruler.

    A way of doing this was employing the heir of the Oligarch, overwhelmingly men, to study and interpret law in the Assembly. Not only this, but learn how to respond to problems no matter the hour; the reason for the Assembly always being open.

    From the physical symbol of justice not being able to access was borne additional dents and injuries.

    Amir tore off Bolato¡¯s naval badge and applied a quick lather of green makeup for good measure. Looking up at the entrance, the party saw guards of Tripolian origin. Not well armed for an army, Amir could quickly tell this was a raiding clan. The Tripolian knew without a doubt that the Oligarch of Periatus didn¡¯t care, for this city had strong fortifications. Why they weren¡¯t in use was beyond him.

    ¡°~Hey! Do you bring business!~¡± A guard with a thick beard with an shaven upper lip ordered Amir. He looked sixteen, probably hasn¡¯t even killed anyone yet, Amir thought.

    ¡°~Yes. I am a trader. I can give food.~¡± The Tripolian was careful not to suggest that they had any other services. He pulled his turban over his scarred eye. He didn¡¯t want them to think they were all buddy buddy.

    ¡°~Emperor be with you. Come in!~¡± The raiders opened the gate, taking breaks to sip wine.

    A set of pink-faced Tripolians ordered Amir to hand off supplies. He took steps to prevent them from seeing all of their gold.

    How did he hide it you ask?

    He just stuffed it into Vega before they had entered. And it worked!

    Rolling into the city streets, it seemed that the less than attractive nature of Periatus was still going on despite being raided. Tea parlors crowded by young couples celebrating the countdown to the Feast of Lovo, creating a cloud of spice. Terribly, all of them were growing skinner, hungrier, and they didn¡¯t seem to care.

    All of them also appeared to be drunk. Also the raiders. With the turning of the corner, it seemed an entire payload of military wine and liquor had been captured.

    Hundreds of carts littered the streets and only a couple dozen soldiers. On one of the carts read ¡®From Suncatch, with love¡¯. Not even meant to be drunk, it was meant to be mixed and blended with spoiled water. But the people didn¡¯t care how it was supposed to be used anyway.

    ¡°Well, this ain¡¯t good.¡± Skaldi looked all around him. He knew in the morning there would be a lot of shouting and misery. The elf knew the routine. Drink for now, not for later.

    ¡°Wha¡­what ain¡¯t good?¡± Bolato finally awoke.

    ¡°Hubby?¡± Skaldi¡¯s hand shook, as he went to brush his hair using his thumb.

    ¡°Yeah sweetie?¡±

    ¡°Promise you won¡¯t get mad, but I think the Tripolians just captured a city.¡± Skaldi said it as if he was the one that did any wrong.

    ¡°Huh.¡±

    ¡°Not very good.¡±

    ¡°That¡¯s the idea.¡± Bolato agreed. Funnily enough, the only part of the city that wasn¡¯t active was the red light district. I¡¯m sure that the young student reading this has no idea what I¡¯m talking about, but let me clear this up.

    It¡¯s where the people go to rub flesh parts together for money.

    Prostitutes from their curtains looked out at the wagon. None of them went to seduce the men. A few were growing a tad frail, as the famine had been hurting them hard. Skaldi didn¡¯t dare to approach, he felt too guilty at their form since they reminded him of his own skinness, his own insecurity as a man. He didn¡¯t wish to court mirrors of himself.

    But the scarecrow decided to court them instead.

    ¡°Hello! How is everyone doing?¡± She said sweetly, almost like a kid talking to their toys. All of them were in awe both at Vega, but also at the fact that the party wasn''t drunk.

    A plump serpentine lady exiting a corridor was the first to approach. Heavily clad in makeup but not as exposed as the others, she was clearly the head of commerce in terms of¡­ you know... The prostitutes held on the curtains of their brothels and simultaneously held a breath.

    ¡°We¡¯s is doing good.¡± They sighed in relief.

    ¡°We¡¯s offers girls for fivity brass. We¡¯s offers boys for seventy.¡± All of them groaned at the fact their boss was still trying to make a profit.

    You might be reading a pirated copy. Look for the official release to support the author.

    ¡°No thanks! I already got a girl-girlfriend.¡± Vega held the arm of Florato who obviously was embarrassed. Not unhappy that Vega considers her a friend, but¡­ come on. The boss wasn¡¯t impressed.

    ¡°Are you¡¯s gonna purchase or are you¡¯s gonna-¡±

    ¡°No! No, no one¡¯s gonna pay for anything. In fact, I''d much prefer to get our bearings.¡± Skaldi wasn¡¯t having any more of what Vega was causing, and decided to interrupt the boss. ¡°Look, can we just, I don¡¯t know, all hang out and talk. You¡¯re the only people here that aren¡¯t drunk, right?¡± The people looked at each and one by one nodded.

    ¡°Cool! Then let¡¯s eat.¡±

    A rose garden was the only thing maintained in the city. It was also the only bit of beauty that prostitutes were able to enjoy in their daily lives as that garden was connected to the boss¡¯s estate.

    Unpacking all their supplies, the party shared whatever they had. Roughly a hundred men and women of all species and races ate and drank together. Sitting on crates filled with Siliphum, the workers conversed and hung out.

    Most of the food they ate was so foreign they began creating names for these alien delicacies. The boss in a vain effort to entice the men brought out her own supply of food.

    This had been the prostitutes only bit of respite in months.

    ¡°How long have the Tripolians been here?¡± Bolato asked with Skaldi at his side.

    ¡°Abouts three days.¡± The boss spoke. Vega was at her side recording the conversation so they could refer to it later. Although the words were unreadable to everyone except the scarecrow, she did write with great efficiency.

    ¡°Where are the guards? I thought this was called Fort Jao for a reason.¡± Bolato was pounding his fist into the table. Skaldi held his hand in an effort to calm him down. It worked for the moment.

    ¡°Theys received orders to pull backs to the Yutai Basin. I don¡¯t knows why, but the soldiers did seem to be¡¯s in a hurry.¡± Bolato concluded that the Oligarch of Periatus was a complete idiot. He¡¯s definitely not wrong.

    ¡°Well, they must have left some people. Where¡¯s the fortress?¡±

    ¡°You¡¯s in it.¡±

    ¡°Not Jao, I mean the actual fortress.¡±

    ¡°Yes. You¡¯s in it.¡± The boss affirmed. The soldier slowly rose in his seat and it all started to make sense. The red light district had been stationed on top of the hill and the boss''s estate was clad in battlements and machicolations for archers to rain arrows. In fact, Bolato now noticed the modest guard the boss had.

    About ten archers clad in chain mail as well packed with ammunition. They were disciplined and neat; one was even braiding another archer¡¯s hair.

    ¡°This¡­ is all they left you?¡± Bolato waved his hand towards the archers.

    ¡°...sadly, yes. The good news is that I¡¯m stills offering a discount on the girls-¡± Bolato stood up in dramatic fashion and stepped off into a dark corner of the garden. The serpentine bowed to the remaining table and excused herself as she went into her home.

    Both Skaldi and Vega looked at each dumbfounded. Skaldi didn¡¯t know whether to leave or stay. Vega didn¡¯t know how to write the word fortress.

    ¡°Do ya think calling her a snake is racist?¡± Vega asked.

    ¡°The fucks a racist?¡± Skaldi leaned backward but quickly shook his head, ignoring the surely made up word Vega created.

    ¡°Is there nothing that disturbs you about this? About all of this?¡± Skaldi agreed with Bolato. Something had been wrong with Periatus the moment they had gotten there. None of the roads to the Veins were garrisoned. Towns like Jinmai had been sieged, but there were no people. Did it at least disturb Vega?

    ¡°Nope. But when I find that thing I¡¯ll be sure to-to tell ya.¡± Vega was having a fun time in the company of the prostitutes.

    Amir and Florato were not. The Tripolian didn¡¯t have fun constantly shifting his eyes so that he wouldn¡¯t see the low cuts of shirts or the high cuts of skirts. It was debauched and he took care of this by forcing Valiato to wear a blind fold.

    ¡°~Can I look now, Ari?~¡±. The kid held a hand to the knot of it.

    ¡°~No~¡±.

    ¡°~But everyone is laughing and having a fun time. I want that.~¡± Valiato said, like a toddler would when demanding sweets.

    ¡°~Remember what I said about sex workers?~¡± Amir quizzed.

    ¡°~That they don¡¯t deserve respect?~¡±

    ¡°~Exactly.~¡± Amir rubbed the head of the kid.

    The actress had a hard time understanding the words of Amir, but could tell that the conversation turned insulting. She knew the nasty tone, judging them for a job that they didn''t want to do.

    Florato however, was troubled by the appearance of them. She expected them to be rotten looking, bruised, and upsetting to look at. But what they looked like was¡­ the most accurate word I could describe them would be¡­ people!

    Of course not all was well for them, very few prostitutes genuinely find pride in their work. And many have turned to substances to fill that hole in their souls. But in terms of success, they seemed to be doing as good as everyone else in the city.

    These prostitutes being able to live even squalid lives is sadly uncommon, but not to the point of being unbelievable. These folk however showed remarkable degrees of success.

    Not always does the victim stay victimized.

    The actress took time to understand this truth. All her life she had heard prostitutes were comparable to ghosts. Tools of pleasure, props. Not even deserving of sentience.

    An apple shaped woman appeared behind her, giving a hard tap at the shoulders.

    ¡°Miss. Would you likes some water?¡± She said in a neutral voice, not knowing the confusion she was causing for Florato. The actress took in her pores, her hair, and her body. She wasn¡¯t some seductress preying on the hearts of weak men. She was that, a woman doing a job no one wants to do.

    ¡°Y-yes. Yes and thank you.¡± Florato stuttered out. Perhaps she was wrong about a lot of things, the actress knew.

    Skaldi couldn¡¯t believe it, as he analyzed all the parts of the workers. All of them held an accent similar to their boss, and plenty adopted her mannerisms of swaying at the neck or holding out their forearms. Disturbing to him, some were even smiling.

    ¡°This doesn¡¯t make any sense.¡±

    ¡°What-what doesn¡¯t?¡± Vega asked while drawing on the list.

    ¡°How are they¡­ able to be like their boss and still be happy?¡± Skaldi¡¯s shoulders sank down as his eyes closed.

    ¡°Ya feeling sad? Don¡¯t worry, I got this!¡± Vega leaped from her side and onto an adjacent table.

    Vega, the gregarious entertainer she was, grabbed the attention of the people and began her standard fair routine. Speaking loud and proudly about the Concert of Combat. Moments passing further and further by, the crowd was held in awe and love by the scarecrow. How she constructed such beauty in a world that didn¡¯t offer to them was heartwarming.

    Skaldi loathed this, he wished he could have eased the others. The redhead¡¯s jealousy burned in his soul.

    Wandering and wondering, Skaldi hoped he could crack the mind of Vega. How could she live so easily like this? All she was and all she could be was a prop, Skaldi believed.

    Each step he took was each rupturing insecurity in his mind. How they didn¡¯t belong yet had a community. It was infuriating, and the redhead took to visiting the parts of Fort Jao to calm down. Corners had groups of men joking and laughing together.

    Streets had the raiders taking the supplies from a bakery or another kind of place for food. Crates full of Silphium were the main target of their robberies.

    However, there was one street where he saw Tripolians taking people away. They were being led by a priest but the elf was in too somber a state to really try anything. It wouldn¡¯t be worth it.

    Repeating and repeating, over and over. Eventually he found a street where there were no people at all, not even the buzz of flies. Only every hour he encountered a sober aristocrat with gladiator bodyguards. And every hour they would spit in his direction.

    The night hours soon made the elf feel lonely. And he took to his only companion in the night, the flask.

    Roaming the hillside district, Skaldi noticed a string of town houses, all of them unlit and unguarded. The elf looked at his feet and chuckled for a moment. He untied his pack and put on shoes with spikes for shoes.

    The elf decided he would steal from a manor. Squeezing through the barred gate, he snuck and swam through the water of the courtyard. Swimming underneath the floor, he found a connection to the inside. Rising out of the house pool, Skaldi saw an array of trinkets and glitter, stacked high onto shelves and cases. The house was simmering with the aura of the pool, and it was drowned in the shadows of the night.

    Only two drunk and asleep guards were there with him, Skaldi believed.

    Anchoring his feet in the wood or stone wherever he could, Skaldi took his time and took his treasure. Sneaking around and carrying enough gold to bury a man, the elf was proud.

    He knew he had the abilities to successfully rob a bank, and he knew he was strong. Then he saw her.

    In the crystal blue water he found another. A reflection, an elf. She wore the same outfits as the prostitutes did but wore it differently. Her shoulders weren¡¯t exposed, and her boots were tightened. The elf wasn¡¯t particularly beautiful or endowed. Captivating in a pitiful sense, like a puppy that¡¯s been kicked too many times. She wasn¡¯t weak, she only believed she was.

    Almost exactly his size. Having leathery palms hardened by work. Skaldi took her image, how vulgar it was. And horrifically, she wore a torn ear.

    Further violence against ghosts wasn¡¯t unheard of, in fact, those acts were encouraged. Acid, tar, anything dangerous and painful was used against them.

    Ripped ears was also an ironic punishment. Iozians favored the ears and the ability to hear, since all of their military helmets were opened so that soldiers could hear orders.

    For the nobility, having notches and scar around the lobes was fashionable. Even Bolato had one. But this elf¡¯s ear was so ruined, only a blackened part the size of a leaf was there.

    He didn¡¯t want her to be weak. He didn¡¯t want her to be ruined.

    ¡°Hello.¡± Skaldi didn¡¯t feel scared to awaken the guards, he only hoped that the elf before him would respond.

    ¡°Hello mista.¡± They looked at each for a long time, almost as if looking in a mirror. Skaldi had hair the color of burning revolt. Potenti¡¯s hair looked the color of blue skies before a violent storm, a false serenity.

    Skaldi realized she was going to rob the manor he was in. He crouched to the ground and slid a silver trophy to her as an offering. She didn¡¯t accept it.

    ¡°Cans you teach me mista?¡± Potenti¡¯s voice used the feeling of plush silk, adorable and freezing. The redhead¡¯s heart ceased to be strong and assured. He wanted to help her.

    The night slept by as the two elf robbed and pilfered the aristocrat¡¯s homes. Skaldi was the more skilled of the two and he made the cramped and narrow spaces that were their entrances maneuverable.

    The bluehead observed and noted how Skaldi lifted objects from purses and copied them. Everytime she made a mistake there was a time the elf corrected. In the darkness of the sky an understanding was formed, that both of them were rejected.

    A bleaky dark room was their hideout. Packed with loot that would normally be gleaming and yellow turned foggy green in their company. The bluehead held a bit of silver amulet and compared it to her neck¡¯s size. She was content with their success, pleased to have learned so much from one that was similar.

    The redhead still wasn¡¯t happy. He knew that Potenti had an inner disease forming in her. He didn¡¯t try to disquiet her moment of pride. But he understood what she was doing. Potenti tried on dozens of outfits, all the favors and fashion that rich women would wear. And everytime she put them on, it didn''t feel right.

    Once she wore only trousers and a bra, wanting to see what was underneath all the manufactured confidence. She pressed her rough hands to her form, sad but strong if she chose to see the truth. She didn¡¯t.

    Potenti¡¯s hands went to her hips, wishing that she had hips that were larger. To her butt, that she hoped would be firm. To her breast, that she wished to fuller. And to her face, that she hoped to be prettier. To be feminine.

    Skaldi did the same in the distant past. He was taken back to a time where he was still in the Galtian tribe and when he brought home a brass mirror. His parents disapproved of the act. They have ordered him to destroy it. That it was foolish to constantly look at one''s looks. His hand went to his hair, brushing it with his thumb, trying to stay silent.

    The redhead kept it hidden, in a lone grove. And after every insult his parents flung at him or when he failed in a military practice, he would go to it, wishing.

    Skaldi¡¯s hands went to legs, wishing that he had legs that were thicker. To his arms, that he hoped to be strong. To his breast, that he wished to fuller. And to his face, that he hoped to be handsome. To be masculine.

    The elves spoke long into the morning, about their histories, about their spirits, and about the people they loved. Skaldi listened when the lady needed to vent about her struggle. But when Skaldi wanted to relieve his insecurity about his manhood, he was silent.

    He made a fake peace in himself, that everything was fine with him. Skaldi believed he had to look strong for the lady, so that she could be strong herself.

    No matter how much he tried, he couldn¡¯t insure her femininity, and that made him mad.

    ¡°Potenti. What do you want from all of this?¡±

 Chapter 21: Dear Fatherâ€¦

    Chapter 21: Dear Father¡­

    If I have done anything right in recording these events, my dear reader, my thoughts will transfer to you.

    If Vega was doing anything right to find out who Kaliber was, her unknown secrets will come true.

    The scarecrow, sitting in a bed made for two, tried to sleep into a blanket of papers and notes. Vega had no clue where they had come from, as they had seemingly appeared from inside herself. She counted. She had counted three series of letters. Three fears punctured her form.

    What is happening?

    Why can¡¯t I remember?

    What am I?

    Her stitched hands went to where stomach would be, as it ached in pain. She already took out all the objects from herself in a failed attempt to purge that fear. That fear had begun to turn into pain. I¡¯d compare it to food poisoning, but this was more in the range of some kind of mental force.

    Right! Psychic toxins is the term. Where fear in the mind destroys systems of the body. Blood veins become full of corrosive sand. Stomachs melt into battered slush. And hearts are crushed like a bird in the jaws of a tiger.

    No one doctor can fix it. The cure must come from within.

    ¡°I have to stop this¡­¡± Vega tried to tell herself to act, in her foggy state. Repeatedly, her eyes swapped from scribbled drawings to perfect replicas of human eyes.

    ¡°You can forget your past.¡± Vega spoke towards the ceiling, as if the fear wasn¡¯t strangling her system. ¡°But the past won¡¯t forget you.¡± Her pain returned, with her writhing in pain.

    Trying to step up from her bed, she placed her hand onto a stool. Lavender flowers, a mint purple shade and held in a vase tied with velvet.

    When she went to stand up, her legs gave way and her arm swung the vase down to the floor, breaking it apart. As her head smashed beside the remains of the lavender, as a single strand unmolested.

    Stacked leaves, thick and plump, a fine look. Green, rounded spikes make the bottom portion of the flower, holding on to a dark emerald stem.

    The scarecrow got up and sat on her calves. She picked up the flower and brought it to her eyes. Admiration. Her smile returned.

    A fond appraisal of the world. That was her solution to fear.

    ¡°Huh. That was weird.¡± Vega admitted. Swaying her head side to side, she knew that she was going to have to organize this disorder. Somehow¡­

    Bolato, with his enraged state cooling off, stared upward into the midnight sky. Delicate stars like rich shredded cheese. He was hungry.

    The soldier was on a balcony in the serpentine woman¡¯s estate. It was almost dizzying how well made it was. Apparently, the boss had multiple forms of income, all operated by the prostitutes. Discrete farms hidden in groves and frozen marshlands. Fisheries manned and protected by a band of bandits.

    Bolato knew she couldn¡¯t sell those services legitimately, as any goods produced by ghosts or those in relation to ghosts would be burned. Ironically, prostitution made her trustworthy enough so that Fort Jao didn¡¯t suspect her of any wrongdoing. The same bandits that protected her workers smuggled her goods in other cities.

    Of course, prostitution was her most profitable business. However, Bolato knew something was up with the serpentine boss. He walked back into the halls, determined to find out more.

    Her estate had entirely been made from marble, and packed full of rooms not decadiated to enjoy luxury. No fancy dance halls or kitchens. Bolato wasn¡¯t skilled in stealth, but he used vanta black shadows to hide himself from the workers that roamed the halls still.

    These hallways were almost comically bare, with big windowless openings and lacking any sort of decoration.

    ¡°Huh. Maybe she¡¯s humble¡­¡± Bolato whispered to himself.

    No courtrooms or even a nice bedroom for herself. In fact, her bed was the same as the prostitutes. Bolato didn¡¯t like to enter her room, and didn¡¯t even like how it looked.

    Organized like a bee¡¯s hive, each corner had a desk and chair. Stacks of paper and books, with pen and ink next to a dead candle. A single well worn rug made the room eerily gross.

    Bolato left her room, a tad disturbed but he quickly purged that feeling from himself. She was a good woman, but why she invested herself in ghosts, he did not know. He didn¡¯t need to know. Whatever her secret may be, it encouraged her to be a good person. That was enough for Bolato.

    Returning back to the garden, it was clear that the party had finished. A few straggling parties stayed, most huddling together in blankets. Mouths took breaths and released white exhales. What plates that were still there only had a scrap of food left on them, which were being picked by Florato.

    ¡°Oh. Hey Bolato.¡± She spoke in a suspended tone, knowing not to speak loudly in the night hours.

    ¡°Hey. You wouldn¡¯t have seen Skaldi? Did he go to bed or something?¡± Bolato joined her in collecting the plates. Florato took a moment to approach the subject of Skaldi.

    ¡°No, I think he must have left when Vega started performing. You should have seen it.¡± Florato put up a smile.

    ¡°Right¡­¡± Both of them went silent, playing a game of who would speak about the elf¡¯s behavior. Bolato lost.

    ¡°I¡¯m sorry.¡±

    ¡°What?¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m sorry for how¡­ Skaldi¡¯s been acting around you. Around us.¡± Bolato looked her in her eyes, as she bowed her head down. The actress put the plates down on the end of a table and brushed her hair away from her eyes.

    Did you know this story is from Royal Road? Read the official version for free and support the author.

    ¡°Well, I¡¯d much prefer an explanation rather than an apology .¡± She pressed with a friendly tone.

    ¡°No, you¡¯re right.¡± Bolato admitted, also putting down the plates. ¡°He¡¯s¡­ got problems. I don¡¯t know what problems that causes him to be an asshole. But something.¡±

    ¡°What do you mean?¡±

    ¡°Skaldi is¡­ unsure about himself.¡± Bolato stared into his hands and how rough they were. And remembered Skaldi¡¯s form and his hands, rough too but also delicate. ¡°He¡¯s not like most guys. Where they¡¯re tough, he¡¯s soft. And I don¡¯t mean that as an insult to him. I love my husband. But that¡­ literally weakness¡­ that makes him unhappy.¡± Bolato kept his eyes wide, complete and full.

    ¡°I get that. But that doesn¡¯t justify him being awful to me or anyone.¡± Florato crossed her arms and her brows lowered.

    ¡°I¡¯m not justifying it. I¡¯m explaining it.¡± Bolato nodded, knowing she was right in being upset. ¡°Look, he¡¯s a good man. He just responds differently to new people. New people that¡­ remind him of himself.¡± Florato upon hearing that, felt hurt. But she started to reflect and piece together what Bolato was trying to transfer to her.

    ¡°That remind him of his femininity?¡±

    ¡°Exactly! Thank you.¡± Bolato said excitedly, glad to have someone put into words what he thought. ¡°Skaldi, sort of looks down on¡­ girl things.¡±

    ¡°Like caring for kids and nail polish?¡± Florato said jokingly.

    ¡°Ha. Well, you¡¯re not wrong. You know, that¡¯s kind of the reason why I like him a lot.¡± Bolato had a toothless smile, with his lips perking up. And his voice was full of admiration. ¡°He¡¯s feisty and playful. And sometimes gets himself into situations where I have to save him.¡±

    Florato took in the sight, knowing that Bolato was speaking through the heart. Her study of acting knew that this was false. It was true and beautiful.

    ¡°And he does this cute thing where brushes his hair to the side with his thumb, and-¡±

    ¡°I get it. You care about the redhead alot. Can we please get back on track?¡± Florato snickered, with Bolato becoming a tad embarrassed.

    ¡°Sorry. But you know, he doesn¡¯t really enjoy¡­ being like a girl? I mean, he likes doing things girls do, but doesn¡¯t like the fact that it''s a girl thing.¡±

    ¡°Not out of love for his femininity, but looking down on it.¡±

    ¡°Yes! Damn, I wish I went to school!¡±

    ¡°But still¡­ What are you going to do about it?¡± Florato slowed down and put on a serious tone. Bolato nodded and his fingers went to his lips. ¡°What about drinking?¡±

    ¡°Well, I ought to talk to him about it. Make a routine he can follow. It will take time, but it¡¯s something that I can do with him. The rest must come from himself. The cure can only come from himself.¡± Bolato said assuredly, much to Florato¡¯s disappointment. She knew that Bolato was going to try, but couldn¡¯t believe that Skaldi would.

    ¡°...Don¡¯t you feel bad?¡±

    ¡°For what?¡±

    ¡°That¡­ Skaldi gets drunk like that, doesn¡¯t that make you¡­?¡± Florato gestured to the side, and turned back to Bolato.

    ¡°Listen. He drinks. Too much for his own good. We soldiers do what we have to do. He was a soldier. I was a soldier. I got nicked with smoking a little. He got hurt with drinking.¡± Bolato stopped, making sure Florato savored what he was saying.

    ¡°I¡¯m not ashamed of him. I¡¯m never going to be ashamed of him. I want him to have good habits. He cares. He cares a lot. He cares so much that he¡¯s willing to rob a bank. That¡¯s the idea.¡± Florato breathed deeply and nodded. Satisfied, she walked away to find a room to sleep in.

    ¡°Hey Florato?¡±

    ¡°Yeah?¡±

    ¡°...I love my husband. I love him alot. Give him some time. He¡¯ll love you too.¡±

    Vega roamed the dark paths of the garden, hoping to find a smart person. Luckily, she found Bolato smoking some tobacco and resting on a bench.

    ¡°Hey Bolato!¡± Her yelling made him jump up and bumb his head against a wall.

    ¡°Quiet, please. I nearly bit my tongue. What¡¯s up?¡± Bolato put up his smoke, tossing the embers into a flowing fountain.

    ¡°You know how to read-read? Right-right?¡±

    ¡°Yeah sure.¡±

    ¡°Cool! Can ya help me read some stuff?¡± Vega asked, showing him a couple of notes. From what he could see, all of them were written in authoritative black.

    ¡°Sure. It¡¯ll help me get some shut eye. Keep in mind, I¡¯m not that good at reading stuff.¡±

    ¡°That¡¯s fine. Just so long as there¡¯s another person.¡± Vega led him back to her room, which was a chaotic mess of writings and pins. Most of the paper was glued to the wall, using a sticky substance Vega found in a drawer. Bolato wasn¡¯t prepared for this and when he entered he immediately laughed.

    ¡°Holy! Haha! Do you want me to read all of this?¡±

    ¡°No.¡± Vega¡¯s eyes projected the moon for a second.

    ¡°What?¡±

    ¡°I want ya to read¡­¡± Vega swiped and dug through the papers until she found the letter. ¡°This!¡±

    It was an odd bit of journal. Bolato grabbed it with both of his hands and examined. No wrinkles, an ashy white color. And had a red wax stamp. The stamp showed what he could describe as a rusted set of armor.

    Bolato opened it. It read¡­

    ¡°Dear Father,

    It¡¯s been a while since you¡¯ve sent me a letter. I wish to inform you that the farm is prospering. Galataii has been making sure my schooling is smooth, but I haven¡¯t seen her in some weeks. She didn¡¯t mention where she went, would you mind telling me?

    Kaliber came to visit me. She¡¯s very sweet and bright. She told me a joke.

    ¡°What did the sarcastic apple say to the pear when it fell from the tree?

    ¡°Apparently!¡±

    She¡¯s funny.

    The Yita Mountain is still very beautiful. I spend most of my freetime there, since there are not too many people to talk to. Hearing and feeling out the strings is a lot easier within the caves. I think I¡¯ve come up with a few names.

    Musician¡¯s Hole

    Earth¡¯s String

    The Cave of Doom of Mountain Super Death

    Kaliber came up with the last name.

    I¡¯ve made a friend. Literally, I made a friend. Remember the farm? Perhaps that will give you an idea.

    Kaliber has been helping me build her actually. She¡¯s definitely crazy in some sort of way. But she is genuine and complains a lot. I like people who complain. I think it means they know what is wrong with the world. Not too many people know that. At least, not me.

    She¡¯s my adopted sister, right? At this point, I think she¡¯s just a sister now. I forget, but did she come from the Oligarchy? Was it in Uvi Jantok? Please answer.

    Schooling has been going fine. Teachers are cooperative and invest time to help me. I thought bribery wouldn¡¯t work but I guess you know better. History was pleasant. I only wished they told me about Iozians. At least, the way you and mother do.

    How is she? Kaliber told me not to worry about it, but I must. I have received a letter from her, but it was very brief. Is there something wrong back home? There haven''t been too many caravans coming in recently and guards have started to erect palisades. Food and water is fine, but I began to feel¡­ scared.

    Is everything fine?

    Is mother fine?

    I love you father. Say I love you to my mother for me. Please.

    From,

    Ena.¡±

    Bolato raised his head back to Vega, who was looking over his shoulder intently. She swayed from side to side, clearly waiting for an answer.

    ¡°Vega?¡±

    ¡°Yep-yep?¡±

    ¡°I can¡¯t read Tripolian.¡± Bolato answered, scratching his head at Vega¡¯s stupidity. She knew what Iozian was, why did she think he¡¯d understand it?

    ¡°Really?¡± Vega snatched the letter from him. ¡°Oh! That makes sense!¡±

    ¡°It does?¡±

    ¡°Yeah. For some reason, I can read this letter-letter.¡± Vega went to collect all the papers together and placed them into a stacked pile.

    ¡°You can read Tripolian?¡± Bolato chuckled out.

    ¡°No. But, somehow, I can read it. Weird, right?¡±

    ¡°Weird? No. It¡¯s bananas.¡±

 Chapter 22: To What Ends?

    Chapter 22: To What Ends?

    People don¡¯t realize there are many more kind strangers and outsiders and even wonderful people just a hundred miles away. Youthful and lacking perspective, I thought this was incredibly stupid. I had witnessed outsider and insiders all my life care and love for each other despite their differences, but why?

    I was the one with the foggy eyes but couldn¡¯t everyone see it? See the smiles, see the open palms and the skin for all the love they have. All this wonder and beauty, free and without exception! How did they not see it?

    Then I realized, it wasn¡¯t about seeing, it was about hearing. What will span the wastes further to living persons? A soft sweetness or a booming hate? Making sense sadly. Sight and hearing make for poor social contact, and even less feeling for the other. Collective ignorance often makes me admire individuality, in its proud bleeding form.

    Skaldi, again, is one such individual, questing alone in a sea of rejection. In this new place he found himself, however, he definitely was considered different.

    Skaldi was in a gym. Well, he was in the brothel¡¯s gym.

    Physical fitness was another sign that you were an insider and that you were wealthy. Being fatty wasn¡¯t considered bad or even unhealthy by the Oligarchs, but muscular forms regardless of species was the fashion of the day. Hell, there were more similarities in the ideals of men and women than differences. Tapering waists, large chests and strong backs, and of course short hair. All of these Iozian standards focused on producing strong mothers that birthed strong soldiers.

    For the brothel, its facilities were very progressive and advanced. With an open roof overhead, tiers of floors stacked like coins. Arcades of rooms and gyms on each, and on the bottom was where the daily orders were given. Today was physical fitness for roughly two hours followed by study. Lined up in rows and organized from height, everyone suddenly adopted the role of athlete.

    Oil was readily available to prevent dirt and sweat from harming the skin, which all of the people participating in practice were. Each of the prostitutes took care to apply it on eachother, ensuring that everyone was prepared. But Skaldi chose to do it himself, feeling slightly lonely.

    He clearly didn¡¯t belong as he wasn¡¯t in the same job field as them. But after that conversation with Potenti, he joined her in the exercise. Competing in sprints, lifting dumbbells, and periodically stretching following each activity. And again, each of the prostitutes worked together competing and in the end, collaborating.

    All of this training was paid for by the boss, who had multiple sources of income. In recent months, many of her fields were burned and raided by the Tripol, which forced her to push harder and harder labor on the prostitutes.

    The whole routine written by her was classified by ones that toned the muscles, one that strengthened them, and the ones that aimed to¡­ well, produce the most pleasure for their customers.

    Skaldi stayed out of those ones.

    Another set created for speed and dexterity was the only one that he liked. The rest made him feel inadequate compared to everyone else. But on completing the routine, Skaldi felt emboldened to continue.

    Jogging around the complex, the redhead noticed that old and familiar feeling. Sore muscles weakened until an acidy pain filled them. He tried to ignore them but within minutes he collapsed onto a couch. Resting and heaving, Skaldi felt proud. Finally, he was making progress. Then he heard the arrow hit its target.

    His ears caught the snapping of the arrow, piecing a thick canvas. And his eyes caught the archer. It was Florato, who seemed to be having trouble zeroing her shot¡¯s to her eyes. She was practicing archery.

    Skaldi viewed the actress, seeing her muscles in her back pop out and shine in the light of the morning. For every two misses there was one hit. But that didn¡¯t consider the elf. The only thought in his mind was that she was strong, and he was not.

    ¡°Oh! Hey Skaldi. What are you doing here?¡± Florato said surprised, dropping her quiver and crouching to pick up the spilled ammunition.

    ¡°Just went on a jog, felt like taking care of myself. You know the deal.¡± He spoke trying to sound all cool.

    ¡°I see.¡±

    ¡°Well, what are you doing? I thought you just like acting or music or whatever?¡±  Skaldi counted on his hands all of her skills.

    ¡°Archery¡­¡± She strained out as she fired from her bow.

    ¡°Is a¡­ pastime for my¡­ people.¡±

    ¡°Huh. So girls like shooting bullets for fun.¡± Skaldi chuckled.

    ¡°Very¡­ funny¡­ but no, it''s¡­ from¡­ my tribe. Used to have whole competitions before the Oligarchs. What about your tribe?¡± She turned to the lounging elf.

    ¡°What?¡± Skaldi stuttered out, being caught off guard.

    ¡°Your tribe. Who are they again?¡± Florato questioned, now returning to firing at her target.

    ¡°Yeah. The Galtians. An elf tribe that has lived in Iozia for thousands of years. Older than bread. Older than wheat. Older than when this place wasn¡¯t called Iozia. When it was called¡­home.¡± Skaldi reminisced on his childhood and the great oral traditions his people had.

    Wise and elderly storytellers told myth and fairy tales, crafting a world of happiness and wonder. Where evil was found in rotten trees and good in the open sky. In that tradition was also spawned Skaldi, the boy that wished he could be mighty for the world that needed it.

    Florato took her time listening to him as Skaldi talked on and on about that history. It reminded her of her own family and of her own parents. Florato believed that he had a good upbringing but some ill act done by the Oligarchs forced into this life. She created a smile, to boost his false love for his people.

    ¡°I see, quite the rich history. I can¡¯t wait to see your tribe!¡± Florato cheered, trying to create some happiness in the exhausted elf. He couldn¡¯t manifest it, since all that was on his mind was how can he be the person he wanted to be. How could he be the role model the world needed?

    ¡°How do I become strong?¡± The redhead abruptly said as the boss was taking care of notes. He entered her office, the only room that didn¡¯t have any curtains or furniture that blocked any sight.

    ¡°Its depends. What''s you¡¯s wants from strength, form, or functions?¡± The serpentine offered, which the elf didn¡¯t like. He desired a simple and easy path to his goals. To be masculine.

    ¡°I guess form? I just want to look better.¡± The boss nodded and opened a cabinet. She pulled out a series of charts and pictures of bodies.

    ¡°It¡¯ll wills cost you¡¯s ten silver for one.¡± She spoke without looking at him. Skaldi sighed, and pulled a few gold coins.

    Taken from Royal Road, this narrative should be reported if found on Amazon.

    ¡°Here, will this be enough?¡± The elf spoke as if he didn¡¯t reveal that he was extremely wealthy.

    ¡°You¡¯s have gold?¡±

    ¡°Yeah, yeah, money is cool and all. Can I just have the lesson book?¡± He demanded in an exasperated tone. The boss¡¯s eyes narrowed, looking deeply into the elf¡¯s eyes.

    ¡°Do you¡¯s know how to read?¡±

    ¡°No¡­ not really.¡±

    ¡°Would you¡¯s like to?¡±

    The classroom, in contrast to Skaldi¡¯s expectations, was very ambitious. Stone shelves surrounded the students, lined with books and scrolls. Paper and pencil was provided freely, stacked on their rosewood tables. Having three seats, all those that studied here were told to question and listen to one another as the lesson went on. Brass chandelier ignited with long and thick torches, the only source of light at this hour.

    Skaldi never had been in a classroom before. A peculiar feeling came to him in that moment, pride.

    Education in Peiatus was only limited to the ultra rich or the ones who actually ran the government. As always, exclusivity in academic spaces was present, but it was considerably cheap in the brothel.

    Two figures glowed at the front of the room, distant but heard by all. Silent whispers of the students ceased as the master of learning cleared his voice. Skaldi had been enticed.

    This lecture on how to construct and sound out words and letters had been led by an old werezebra. He leaned on a cane but always held out his hooves in an authoritative fashion. His thick mohawk calmed Skaldi, for he no longer felt out of place with his own appearance.

    What did make him feel out of place was that the elf noticed an oddity. An imitation of a smart person if you would. He discovered that Vega had been standing right in front of him. And had been schooling him on how to write for the past hour.

    ¡°Ya see this symbol? This is the character for how to write-write apple!¡± Vega crudely drew on the board.

    The main reason why the education was so cheap was because it was only the werezebra teaching a class of hundred and fifty. Additionally, he employed the help of the vaguely literate wisemen and failed priests he could afford. Today was his lucky day since Vega was sub literate.

    ¡°After that character, you want to write this one. Remember, each of them has to connect and flow-flow into one another. If not-not, that¡¯s no good!¡± The prostitutes were engaged in her teaching. In fact, they were more focused than when the werezebra lead the session.

    Conveniently, the old teacher corrected the mistakes Vega made. And I know this might be hard to believe, there were only ten in her writing. Mind you, this does not include the ugliness of her writing style.

    Skaldi struggled to sound out the words as the scarecrow¡¯s erratic stutters emphasized certain pronunciations. The redhead pressed on, determined to learn. He needed to. He wanted to.

    The class concluded, with the sun now rising out of the horizon. Skaldi forgot how much time he spent stealing. Yet he wasn¡¯t the least bit tired. He was invigorated, having set a new goal for himself.

    Walking throughout the estate, Skaldi¡¯s eyes saw the prostitutes working together. Reading aloud to one another, wrestling, and jogging around the complex. A culture of interaction was in place. In this seldom sector of the city, these people didn¡¯t even look starved anymore.

    They had been fed a diet of curiosity and uplifting each other, regardless of their inherent qualities.

    The elf took a break, heading back into the city¡¯s commercial zones. Markets flooded with drunk Tripolians. All of them demanded a discount on the goods sold. Unluckily, their discount coupon was a spear.

    The elf noticed that the raiders this time were accompanied by priests. They were grabbing random individuals and taking them away.

    Incomprehensible, Skaldi thought. How could they be fighting and bickering? They were in power, and had everything at their fingertips. Yet when compared to the brothel who was looked down upon and disgraced, the prostitutes were effective and kind.

    The ones that were beneath them all still care about one another. A congregation composed of pleasant hard work and a standard, a belief. That if they didn¡¯t give up and worked with each other rather than against, they could improve their lives.

    That they could escape their shame and exploitation of their bodies and created greatness from themselves.

    Nevertheless, Skaldi¡¯s mind was still attacked by the conversation he had with Potenti. Well, the word that attacked.

    ¡°Potenti. What do you want from all of this?¡±

    ¡°...nothing.¡±

    The bluehead elf demanded nothing of the objects she stole. Perhaps they were just tools to inspire value in herself. But, that didn¡¯t work. Nothing worked.

    ¡°To be fair, which is quite hard to say, boss is the only one who cares about us.¡± A lady prostitute shrugged out. Skaldi had taken to arguing with the workers, determined to find out what was wrong with Pontenti.

    ¡°Really? Aren¡¯t you saying that because you¡¯re scared of what she¡¯ll do?¡± Skaldi called out, upset that the workers were defending their boss.

    "We¡¯re the only ones surviving really. She¡¯s the only one who pays whether we¡¯re ghosts or not. She¡¯s not good, but she¡¯s better than the killers.¡±

    Skaldi didn¡¯t want to believe it. That these people had it better than he did, yet one had already given up.

    Barging into her office, Skaldi¡¯s heart and soul burned with the fury of a hundred volcanoes.

    ¡°You don¡¯t care about them!¡±

    A loud silence passed, with the serpentine boss composing a retort to Skaldi¡¯s assault. She collected herself, pooling all of her wisdom into a phrase.

    ¡°I do cares about them, in my own way.¡± Skaldi opened his mouth, but the boss sucked in air, just how one prepares to reveal a past tragedy.

    ¡°Did I tell you that I was going to the sisterhood? In my testing, I couldn¡¯t. I¡¯m infertile, not a real woman. That¡¯s what they said¡± Her scaly hand reached up for a vestal¡¯s cloak, covered in dust. It was never used.

    ¡°I¡¯m not nice, I don''t claims that. I wish, in my bone¡¯s blood, that they wouldn¡¯t have to do this. To be¡¯s exploited by me, to be stripped of the joy found in love. I wish they didn¡¯t have to trade that for commodities. I know there is a path, and I know they¡¯re really strong.¡± Hanging up her old cloak, she turned back to the stunned elf. Skaldi felt ashamed that he accused her of any wrongdoing. But she came closer and grabbed his hand attentively.

    ¡°But it¡¯s tough getting by and it¡¯s tough trying to be a mother to people who shouldn¡¯t see you as that. They aren¡¯t proud of what they are used for. Simply objects to be used, then insulted.¡± The boss¡¯s anger rose in her voice, but it wasn¡¯t directed at Skaldi.

    ¡°Yets, I knows they are hopeful. That despites their background, despites their lives now, they have survived. That they made it and proved alls that wished them to be dead wrong. That they¡¯re wise and mightier thans alls the rest. That they refused to be condemned to die. Damn those that say they aren¡¯t women, that they¡¯re ghosts!¡± The serpentine had a fury of a hundred crashing tides.

    ¡°They¡¯re my daughters! My sons! My children!¡± She shouted a ripingly tide towards an inaudible call of hate.

    They stood there for a while, taking in each other¡¯s stories and past. Both of their people¡¯s existed long before there was an Oligarchy. In that office, a plan was constructed, to make things right for those that needed it. The boss began to organize.

    Leaning against the wall, Skaldi laid his fingers on the thorny rose bush. Stabs stung, but Skaldi still gripped his hand around the flower.

    What an elegant beauty. He had chosen to not hold, he wouldn¡¯t have known the love present. The handsomeness present. The strength present.

    His mind drifted back to the Tripolians. He wondered why they were taking away the people of the city directly to the Assembly.

    At that moment, he realized a solution to Potenti¡¯s problem. All of the brothel wasn¡¯t rich or had any healthy fat. But they did have toned muscles and bright minds. Skaldi understood all of this when he observed the bouncing dexterity and alertness Potenti had.

    It needed to be used for a collective good.

    He rose up and raced across the estate, hopping and jumping over any structure that was to stop him. He looked for Bolato, likely sleeping in the wagon. What he found however, was the shoulder of the actress.

    ¡°Ouch! Watch where you¡¯re going!¡± She yelled down at him. Skaldi¡¯s momentum stopped, but not his plan.

    ¡°Sorry. Sorry, but have you seen Bolato? I need to ask him something.¡±

    ¡°Ask-ask what?¡± Vega peered from Florato¡¯s side. Change of plans, Skaldi thought up.

    ¡°The Tripolians! They¡¯ve been taking people away and-¡±

    ¡°But what do ya need to ask Bolato? '''' Vega demanded, crashing Skaldi¡¯s train of thought.

    ¡°Whatever! Look, Florato, you know archery right?¡± Skaldi questioned as he pulled out a pen and note paper.

    ¡°I wouldn¡¯t say that, but kinda?¡± Florato said. She was embarrassed from her last performance and wanted to remain humble. Skaldi didn¡¯t notice that Vega took his paper and started to write down her answers for him.

    ¡°Ok, good! Now how many other people were practicing archery with you?¡±

    ¡°Roughly¡­ twenty? Twenty five?¡± She said, holding her hand on her chin.

    ¡°Is that-that two fives or five twentys?¡± Vega muttered to herself. Skaldi¡¯s face read that he was connecting dots and ideas rapidly.

    ¡°And all of the prostitutes-¡±

    ¡°They¡¯re people first, Skaldi.¡± Florato corrected.

    ¡°Who cares! The workers are pretty fit and all work out, right?¡± Skaldi gestured to get Florato¡¯s true opinion.

    ¡°As fit as starving poor people can be. What are you getting?¡± Florato put her hands on hips, very concerned with Skaldi¡¯s excited questions.

    ¡°Ok! Why don¡¯t we start a revolt?¡±

    ¡°...holy shit you¡¯re right.¡±

 Chapter 23: Uprising!

    Chapter 23: Uprising!

    So long as sentient beings not only seek prosperity but do it by righteous means, people can survive all types of torment. For rulers, we have to lead those groups to success, but far too often do we convince them to commit vile actions for our gain. Or worse, use the language of virtuous ideals to unite people behind otherwise objectionable ends.

    Same with the Oligarchs and ghosts, and well¡­ the Tripolians with the Oligarchs. Certain leaders command folks to depravity. You don¡¯t have to believe, you already know it.

    The Oligarch of Periatus was that filthy type of ruler that seduced the masses into following his ever growing violation and destruction of the lands he was supposed to protect.

    And yet, some rulers can stop those violators. Like the Oligarch of Suncatch, upon hearing dark news, mobilized a legion to enter Periatus. He and his fellow colleagues hadn¡¯t heard from the Periatus for weeks and rumors of a naval invasion festered. Although he wouldn¡¯t personally be leading, he commanded them to take control and establish military law.

    Good reports came in when they finally secured Vein Xinyuai and that they were able to send a fleet upward to the basins. For the commander leading them, they were pleased that they¡¯d get to Fort Jao within the day. But not soon enough for them to help¡­

    ¡°What are we do-doing in the Assembly Skaldi?¡± Vega whispered. He had spent all day yesterday planning the revolt but this part he couldn¡¯t come up with a partner. Skaldi¡¯s choice of accomplice had been very limited. Florato was too big, Bolato was preparing the revolters, while Amir and Valiato had strangely disappeared all day.

    Regardless, he also had another person to support him in his recon. I think you know who.

    ¡°We¡¯re seeing what they''re doing with all the people they¡¯ve captured.¡± Potenti assured, stepping on the scaffolding that the scarecrow stood. ¡°But yeah, how many days has this been happening mista?¡±

    ¡°I first saw it when we got here yesterday.¡±

    ¡°And ya didn¡¯t do anything?¡± Vega questioned, not implying any ill intent on Skaldi¡¯s part.

    ¡°You shut face.¡± Skaldi neutrally moaned, now descending further into the Assembly. ¡°I¡¯m not stron¡­ I¡¯m only one guy, okay?¡±

    The team¡¯s steps echoed throughout the marble walls and their reflected gleamed of the stained glass. This house for the government resembled more of a cathedral, but had the Iozian banners.

    These banners had this holy quality that only icons from governments could have. Fabric made from Kai Ren silk with jungle wood handles cut from Matigas NaTao hands. A bright stryker metal sculpture of a blind eagle were the heads of these banners. These blind eagles judged just above where court was conducted.

    A half circle facing two sets of stairs where people would stand to face judgment from the aristocrats or Oligarchs present. The Tripolian soldiers wouldn¡¯t know this, their judges was a spear or arrow.

    On each seat was a set of bones painted an emerald glow. Both Vega and Potenti didn¡¯t seem too bothered by it, but Skaldi¡¯s forehead turned purple.

    ¡°Shit. This is bad.¡±

    ¡°What¡¯s wrong? Is it the bones?¡±

    ¡°Gem Sacrifice.¡± Skaldi quivered and he collapsed on his knees.

    ¡°What?¡± Potenti kneeled by him, squeezing his shoulder.

    ¡°My people only performed when an elder sought to give up his life for the good of the tribe. But I''ve never seen it done like this. The paint, the bones, all of it is the exact same!¡±

    ¡°What does that mean?¡± Potenti urged, shaking the stunned Skaldi. His words came out with a heavy heart.

    ¡°The Tripolians are going to sacrifice the people for Soul Gems.¡± Those words stayed in their minds for an eternity. Potenti was horrified. Skaldi was angered. Vega was so fucking lost.

    ¡°Is that a bad thing?¡± Vega leaned her head to the side.

    ¡°Of course it is you idiot!¡± Skaldi rose up, getting in the face of the scarecrow. ¡°Maybe you don¡¯t understand, but sacrifice means kill!¡±

    ¡°Oh! Now I get it!¡± Vega rubbed her head in embarrassment. Unfortunately, their volume was noticed by the raiders.

    ¡°~What was that? Is there someone in here?~¡± A wine soaked voice demanded.

    ¡°~Those damn bastard Iozians. Start the ritual now!~¡± A ghastly priest commanded, as the paint on the bones rose into a spiral pattern as a hazy mist rose up.

    ¡°Hey mista, I think we should go now!¡± The bluehead yelled just as the door on the walkway burst open, with a dozen raiders rushing towards them.

    ¡°Boost-boost time!¡± Vega crouched down and held out her hands. Each elf hopped on her gloves and she threw them both up with ease.

    ¡°Ok! Now boost me up.¡± Vega prompted. Potenti and Skaldi looked dumbfounded as they were now ten feet above the scarecrow, unable to grab her.

    ¡°What are you doing you idiot? Run!¡± Skaldi angrily spat out.

    ¡°Ya sure?¡±

    ¡°They got spears, you sack of dumb wheat, now run!¡± Skaldi screamed at her, infuriated that she would even question him for confirmation.

    ¡°I-I don¡¯t know. Maybe they¡¯re just-¡± A spear punctured straight through Vega¡¯s foot, who took a moment to realize that she¡¯d been hit.

    ¡°Alright. Run time!¡± The scarecrow broke into a sprint, just as the elfs found their way out of the Assembly. Skaldi, as he raced on top of the roofs of the city, was conflicted. On one hand he was mad that the Tripolians discovered their plot. On the other hand, he really wanted to see Vega dead.

    ¡°Well, you win some, you lose some.¡±

    ¡°~Get back here you weird thing!¡± A raider ordered, with more and more drunken Tripolians chasing after her. Vega skidded across the floor and bounced room to room. Within the minute more and more soldiers poured in, forcing her to a hallway. All of the raiders converged behind her, burping out slur and insult.

    Before her laid an unfinished portion of the Assembly, a thin wooden wall meant to be filled in with marble.

    ¡°Pickaxe, don¡¯t fail me now.¡± Vega snickered. She leaped into the air, holding her pickaxe way above her. Slamming down with the strength that only a scarecrow could summon, she crashed her pickaxe through the wall, sending splinters and planks.

    Vega looked almost badass when she landed her feet on the pickaxe and used it to land. The raiders were initially stopped by the wall but some pulled out axes and went to work. Most of the men were hung over or drunk, which made organizing their efforts all the more harder.

    ¡°~Damn. You half all take the west wing. We¡¯ll take the east. And I want ten men guarding the priests. Now get that scarecrow!¡± A hammered drunk officer roared up.

    Vega sneaked behind corners, using her tempo reading skills to gauge how many raiders were in her direction. Their burps and drunken speech gave her ample sounds to create a song.

    The scarecrow heard weak and lumbering tones, but every couple of minutes heard a striking rumble. She hid when she heard that rumble, and saw a group of stumbling Tripolians go by. Vega didn¡¯t like the rhythm, but did like the soft murmurs coming from a close room.

    ¡°~Where is this bastard? How did the Oligarchs even get a scarecrow?~¡±

    ¡°~Do you mean where they got an animated scarecrow?~¡±

    ¡°~Haha, no. They¡¯re obviously too simple to even conjure up that. They must have stolen it from us.~¡± A haughty officer talked down to his fellow raiders.

    Crawling along the floor, she disguised herself underneath the toppled furniture of the Assembly. Papers documenting the history of the city, ripped banners, and whatever disrupt the raiders could do were present.

    Vega didn¡¯t see any guards in the main hall, for all they were searching where she had just been. A large entryway door loomed over her. Stepping out from behind a suit of armor, she took a moment to appreciate the architecture. Statues of long pasted rulers of Periatus were aligned in rows. Hundreds of years of Oligarchs, but in recent days, were defaced and vandalized by the raiders.

    Vega felt sad, that all that history was ruined. Then she became happy when she saw a dog statue.

    ¡°Cute! Doggy. What-what¡¯s ya name?¡± Vega sweetly spoke, petting the head of the marble dog. On a placard, its name was shown to be Periatus.

    ¡°Hello Periatus. You must have been¡­¡± Vega just realized a funny thing.This whole region was named after an Oligarch''s hunting dog. ¡°Wow, ain¡¯t that shitty.¡±

    ¡°~Hey guys! I think I heard something in the hall!¡± A sober voice came from the hall behind. Following this, the sharp rumbling became louder and louder.

    ¡°Shoot.¡± Vega from out of the corner of her eye saw a door with some Tripolian scripts written on it. Taking her chances, she darted into a room and barricaded it with a chair.

    ¡°Good. Now they can¡¯t find me.¡± The scarecrow proclaimed, noticing the murmuring she heard was now silent. There was a cough behind her.

    She turned around to see fifty or so people crammed in a jail cell. Vega, upon seeing this, waved silently.

    If you encounter this story on Amazon, note that it''s taken without permission from the author. Report it.

    ¡°Hi?¡±

    ¡°...hello?¡± A frightened woman greeted.

    ¡°You guys aren¡¯t with the bad guys right? Because if ya are, I have to run away.¡±

    ¡°No! No, no, no! We were taken a day ago and we haven¡¯t eaten anything in a while. Can you break us out, good spirit?¡± The woman pleaded, which Vega took a bit to make sure she wasn¡¯t trying to trick her.

    ¡°...alright. But they¡¯re right behind this door. Maybe if there was-¡± Vega eyes caught a ladder just above her.

    ¡°Cool.¡± The scarecrow hopped onto the ladder and climbed upward.

    ¡°But aren¡¯t you gonna-¡±

    ¡°I¡¯ll be right back. Be nice to each other.¡± When she left, all of the captives grumbled bitterly.

    Sticking her head out of the pit, Vega found a quarters for soldiers to be stationed in. Bunk and bed rolls filled the room. Tripolians filled the room, with hundreds of raiders sleeping. Each man had a ceramic cup beside themselves and puddles of alcohol around. Tiptoeing into the room, she held her pickaxe close to her chest. Many men were snoring hideously, which made Vega comfortable to start moving quicker.

    Suddenly, a hand gripped her foot.

    ¡°~Mommy, can I have my blanky?~¡± A middle aged warrior talked in his sleep. Vega was petrified in that moment, as feared boiled in her stomach.

    ¡°Why now? Why do I have to feel bad now?¡±

    ¡°~Give my blanky.~¡±

    ¡°Can you shut up dude? I¡¯m going through-through something.¡± Vega¡¯s fear turned into a shushed anger.

    ¡°~Blanky~.¡± Vega bent, reaching and gently prying the fingers off of her.

    ¡°Shut up. Shut up. Shut up.¡± Vega continually begged while she got the raider¡¯s grip off her foot. The warrior turned to his side and started to suck on his thumb.

    ¡°Jeez. People need to learn-learn how to keep their hands to themselves.¡± Exiting the room, she found a trio of men drinking from pots and heating their cups with a fire at the center.

    ¡°Why are they having a fire inside? Whatever.¡± Vega sighed.

    Looking for a way to make a distraction, she noticed a bizarre set of pipes and cans tucked beside a pile of wood that the raiders used for tinder.

    ¡°Boing go!¡± The scarecrow saw her chance.

    Vega recognized it as a distillery, currently boiling and building up pressure.

    Remembering her reading of Rural Commodities, she reflected on a particular passage. That passage was detailed on the particular timing and setup needed in order to produce certain beverages. But her mind was fixated on one topic, accidental explosion.

    By increasing the pressure to a dangerous degree, the heating burst into flame, spreading fire.

    One problem, how was she going to pass by the raiders without getting noticed?

    Her solution, she wasn¡¯t.

    Wearing a thick dress, tied down by a bronze disc chestplate, Vega was going to play the part of raider. She didn¡¯t put on¡­ any helmet or mask to obscure her face. Again, the best she could do was a sour imitation.

    ¡°Hello!¡±

    ¡°~Hey Atmi.~¡± The trio of drunkards waved to the scarecrow. Turning valves at random, Vega steps up an explosion ready to happen. The scarecrow now skipped out the room.

    ¡°Bye!¡±

    ¡°~Bye Atmi.~¡± The raiders waved the scarecrow goodbye, not noticing the hissing of the distillery.

    Hopping down back into the holding cell, the people were happy to see Vega again. She took off her ¡­disguise and hopped to the bars.

    ¡°Thank Recor. Can you please get us out now?¡± The woman politely asked, trying to be calm with the scarecrow. Vega saw it was an iron door with a lock.

    ¡°Can¡¯t, I need a key.¡±

    The woman pointed towards Vega¡¯s pickaxe.

    ¡°Oh, right.¡± Vega said. With a quick strike, the lock broke and the people poured out.

    ¡°Where do we go now, spirit?¡±

    ¡°Don¡¯t know.¡± Vega shrugged. ¡°I didn¡¯t think I¡¯d get this far.¡± The captives were left aghast. Shouldn¡¯t a spirit know a way out of this mess? Suddenly, a shaking took the Assembly, with dust and pebbles dropping from the ceiling.

    ¡°~Oh shit! Atmi burnt the alcohol again. Get the aqueduct running!~¡± A voice said from above. Similarly, the raiders outside the door scrambled towards the fire. Vega pressed her none existent ears to the door, cracked it open to see if the coast was clear.

    ¡°Ok. Go-go now!¡± She waved the captives forward, leading them to the entrance. Pushing it open, both the captives and Vega gazed upon a city in chaos.

    Raiders were running about, being chased by mobs of unruly citizens. The Arena became an outpost for the revolting populace. Additionally, the rebels became an army armed with makeshift weapons and shields.

    The prostitutes seemed to be conquering sections of the city.

    ¡°I hope ya guys had fun. I¡¯m gonna go find my friends now. See ya!¡± Vega skipped away, just as the captives looked around in terror.

    ¡°This is a good day.¡± She spoke as the Assembly turned into a fire hazard.

    The scarecrow cheered happily, knowing nothing about the pains of combat. Humming and dancing down into the courtyard, Vega took no notice of the people fighting. Drunk raiders were being pushed back by the sober revolters who organized shield walls to prevent injury.

    The once mighty Tripolian archers were too inebriated to fire a single arrow to defend themselves. But the serpentine boss¡¯s guard of archers took care of any remaining sober raiders, firing swiftly.

    A few bright raiders used the alleyways of the city to their advantage, forcing the thousands of revolters into cramped spaces where their numbers could be managed. Despite this, many raiders were bested by the prostitutes driving them out.

    Leaders stood out amongst them, one was particularly buff and round.

    ¡°Bolato, on your right!¡± Skaldi notified, throwing a knife to the chest of the raider, killing him near instantly.

    ¡°Thanks. Now, did you get that whistle I needed?¡± Bolato raised his tower shield in front of him, holding out his sword hand. Skaldi handed it to him and Bolato put it around his neck.

    The helmet wore Skaldi sparked as an arrow ricocheted off.

    ¡°Damn it, that was too close!¡±

    Upon seeing the attack Bolato twisted his neck to his subordinates.

    ¡°Everyone! Switch!¡± Bolato instructed, blowing fiercely into his whistle. The prostitutes swapped positions, with the frontline going back and the rear taking point. This maneuver caught the Tripolians off guard, even though it was a normal tactic employed by the Iozians to prevent fatigue.

    ¡°Push forward! We¡¯re going to the Assembly! For Recor!¡± Bolato empowered the prostitutes, who now looked like soldiers of the Oligarchy rather than victims of it. Skaldi stood still for an instant, taking in all of the people standing up for righteousness.

    Potenti marched by him, now strong as she recognized herself to be.

    ¡°Holy shit, is that the scarecrow?¡± A random revolter questioned.

    ¡°Goddamn.¡± Skaldi cursed to himself, slapping his face.

    Vega gazed downward at the army from the tower she was in. The Assembly had several outer parts, including a courtyard and walls denying the captives exit. Also the captives took to following Vega.

    ¡°Can you please get us out of here?!¡±

    ¡°What? I already did, didn¡¯t I?¡± The scarecrow was in disbelief, she thought she already completed her task.

    ¡°Well yes, but we still can¡¯t get to our homes! There is still a gate and guards.¡± A spooked man told her. Vega stood up and looked outside. Roughly fifteen guards, and a furious priest cursing the two sleeping guards.

    ¡°What to do? What to do?¡± Vega grabbed the hand of a man and started to stroke her head with it. I assure you he was very alarmed at the occurrence.

    ¡°I got it! Kaliba!¡± The scarecrow called out into the city below.

    ¡°Idiot.¡± Kaliba chirped.

    ¡°Oh you¡¯re already here. Can ya do the thing ya did before? Where ya carried me into the air and stuff?¡± She crouched down and held out her palm. Kaliba stretched out its wings and hummed in disappointment. Digging its feet into Vega¡¯s arm, the mighty Kaliba flew them both into the air.

    ¡°I¡¯ll be right back!¡± The captives groaned in greater disapproval. Now in the air, Vega took in her surroundings and noted the areas of the Assembly. Courtyard where the priest was shouting, the main gate leading outside, and the aqueduct pumping water in. Smoke that was coming out of the windows of the main building slowed down.

    ¡°Booze!¡± Kaliba croaked out. A cart of purifying alcohol still remained, right beside the guards of the main gate.

    ¡°Good idea! Take us there!¡± Lowering behind the cart, Vega and Kaliba crept close to the floor. Scavenging herself for supplies, Vega gripped onto a flash stick.

    ¡°This is the best-best plan ever.¡± With a little tinder, Vega set fire to the cart and flew back to the tower.

    ¡°~Hey, Jekitas, do you forget to shower again?~¡±

    ¡°~No? I just have a body odor that women love and men hate.~¡±

    ¡°~Huh. So why does it smell like burning beer?~¡± Both of the raiders turned to see the cart aflame. All of the guards took to firefiring, trying to prevent the fire spreading into the rest of the courtyard.

    Vega swiftly escorted the captives to the gate as the raiders couldn¡¯t pay attention to it. With the pull of a level, the gate opened and the captives bolted to their homes.

    ¡°Thank you¡­ odd spirit!¡± A woman blessed Vega. The scarecrow was quite happy, and Kaliba was quite concerned.

    ¡°Idiot?¡±

    ¡°What do ya mean Kaliba-¡± Vega¡¯s arm was on fire.

    ¡°Oh. This is fine.¡± Vega lied to herself. Within the second, the scarecrow¡¯s panicking fear took hold, as she jumped into the nearest body of water, which was back in the courtyard of the Assembly.

    ¡°Ah. Now I¡¯m not burning anymore.¡± Vega snuggled into courtyard water, happy as can be.

    ¡°~High Priest, we found the scarecrow!~¡± A raider yelled out.

    ¡°Oh nuts¡­¡±

    A hundred drunk men strong force chased after Vega and Kaliba, as they both sprinted down into the city. Narrowly dodging spears and arrows, Vega¡¯s bravery continued to plunge. Kaliba however, was taking a cozy seat on the scarecrow¡¯s shoulder.

    ¡°Can ya fly me again?!¡±

    ¡°Booze.¡± Kaliba chirped, having drunk enough purifying alcohol to kill an elephant.

    ¡°Oh, nevermind.¡±

    The frenzied charge behind her became quieter and quieter. Vega continued but after a while the noise of the raiders was none existent. Turning her head, she saw that the raiders formed a phalanx, equipping pikes and blocking the entryway into the Assembly.

    ¡°Hooray! Now I can-¡±

    Vega tripped over a ledge and fell into a fast flowing aqueduct, carrying into the city¡¯s water system.

    ¡°Weeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee-¡±

    She was having a lot of fun.

    ¡°Switch!¡± Bolato urged, just as the Tripolians sent skirmishers, tossing spear after spear onto them. Their pace grinded to a halt since the raiders used the city¡¯s many corners and passageways to ambush and pepper the prostitutes in bullets.

    ¡°Damn it, they¡¯re dug in hard.¡± Bolato cursed. Skaldi upon hearing that, searched into his pack.

    ¡°What are you doing?¡±

    ¡°Getting an upper hand.¡± The elf pulls out a pot that has flowing blue smoke from it. He prepares to throw and backs up. Running forward and pelting it in an arch, the pot crashing into a building. Following this many of the soldiers cough and wheeze, collapsing onto their knees.

    ¡°The hell was that?¡± Bolato said, very much amazed with the elf¡¯s performance.

    ¡°I can tell you what it¡¯s not. An herbal remedy. Now, let¡¯s tie these guys up and keep moving!¡± Skaldi urged the force to continue. With each minute was a city block claimed. As the prostitutes came closer and closer to the Assembly, the head priest became rather skittish.

    ¡°~Where the hell are the sacrifices? What happened?~¡± He demanded urgently, to find worthy bodies to throw at the advancing force.

    ¡°~We don¡¯t know sir. Should we retreat?~¡± An officer asked, still firing arrows into the revolters.

    ¡°~Not all of us. They cannot get us, but they can take the lesser warriors. Let us move!~¡± The head priest motioned for him to leave, as the upper class soldiers took to their horses. As the priest hopped into a carriage, he pulled out an oddity.

    A handaxe, belonging to a now deceased woodchopper. It glowed with a foul power, much like the spores of a mushroom cloud. He was holding a Soul Gem.

    ¡°~This Snake Skin shall hold them back.~¡±

    Now at the gate, the prostitutes crossed the bridge, holding their shields high above their heads. Skaldi could see their lack of ammunition, just as they took to throwing rocks and planks instead.

    ¡°Keep moving. We¡¯ve almost claimed the Assembly. Don¡¯t let up.¡± Bolato raised his sword high to his comrades, following his every order.

    Skaldi was quite proud at that moment, not for himself. Not because of his accomplishments, but of what he helped make. He loved Bolato, in the way that only married couples could. That I am bound to this person by love, and I better do that.

    He saw Potenti great might as well, perhaps seeing a way out of his situation. So long as he tried hard enough, he could be strong and powerful. And maybe, he could believe that he had that strength too.

    No matter how much pride filled his soul in that moment, he realized something.

    He feels quite good when helping people.

    ¡°Watch out! Skaldi!¡± Bolato broke him out of his trance, just as a vicious shadow loomed over him.

    Tenfold linen tied around a walking corpse, arrows and bullets sticking out like broken bones, and a skin a gross rotting peach. And eyes with the ¡®S¡¯ river.

    The Snake Skin rammed into him, driving them both off the bridge and into the flowing water of the aqueduct. A faint weakness took Skaldi, in the form of a thought. Well, also in the form of a curse.

    ¡°..damn me!¡±

 Chapter 24: A Lone Rioter (Part 1!)

    Chapter 24: A Lone Rioter

    I have always struggled with creating everlasting peace. In my best efforts, I could only make it last a month or so before a scandal arose with my fellow rulers. Years, decades, all in the pursuit of calm. Those same years and decades swallowing in the ocean of doom, swirling and conquering all. Forever.

    Ultimately, is peace really achievable or is it merely a status we temporarily have? Perhaps it was my measurement, via the volume of speech and conflict from my subjects. Then, I realized when it was all too late.

    The only way for true peace and quiet is if we¡¯re all dead.

    Of course Vega and Skaldi wouldn¡¯t know this, as they were sliding down into the water treatment system of Fort Jao, very loudly.

    ¡°Yay! I¡¯m committing sewerslide!¡± Vega was having fun.

    ¡°Fuck! Fuck! Fu-¡± Skaldi was¡­ not. Crashing down into a pool of blackened water, the two of them jumped and stumbled out.

    ¡°Damn it! Where is it?¡±

    ¡°Where is what?¡±

    ¡°The Snake Skin!¡± Skaldi spat out, soaked in slimy runoff foam. The helmet that he wore had a great slash across it.

    ¡°Shit! We gotta get away from it quickly, I don¡¯t have any armor.¡± He stuttered and stumbled in place, looking out for the undead killer.

    Vega couldn¡¯t tell what he was talking about, as all she could see and hear was the rushing waters around them. They were alone in that sewer, she believed. Trapped and covered in garbage.

    ¡°Nothing¡¯s here Skaldi. Let¡¯s go-go back up.¡± Vega held a hand to the elf. He struggled out of the foam and held on tight to her. Climbing onto a platform, Skaldi heaved in the kind smelling air available, repulsed by the place he was surrounded in. He took his time, still hearing the distant sounds of combat above.

    ¡°Alright. How do we get out?¡± Skaldi said, looking at the twelve different passageways into or out of the sewer. The aqueduct wasn¡¯t an option, since water quickly flowed from it. No light came from the passageways, which didn¡¯t reassure Vega.

    ¡°Don¡¯t know, maybe there is a control room or something? I saw one back in Jinmai, maybe this-this place has one of those.¡± Vega spoke, keeping firm eye contact with him. Skaldi didn¡¯t like this, for Vega tended to stand there. For like¡­ way too long. Often not blinking, just gazing at him. As soon as she took a single blink, Skaldi felt safe enough to consider his tools.

    ¡°I might have an idea.¡± Skaldi moved Vega out of the way for a moment, as his eyes glowed like gem stones in moonlight.

    Elfs, specifically Flictions, have natural abilities to enhance one senses for up to a minute. By tuning out details like color in vision, texture in touch, and so on an elf can enhance a single sense. Skaldi upon hearing Vega ask what his idea was, choose to tune out of his hearing and manifest dark vision.

    ¡°Hey Skaldi, do ya see that?¡±

    He focused on the tenth passage.

    ¡°Skaldi? There¡¯s a dude rising out of the water.¡±

    He saw a set of stairs going upward.

    ¡°He has a big ax. He look-looks like he wants to hurt ya.¡±

    Skaldi didn¡¯t want to hear her.

    ¡°I¡¯m picking ya up now.¡± Vega quickly carried the tuned out elf and raced toward the third passage. As his vision blurred by her movements, Skaldi immediately wrestled with the scarecrow.

    ¡°What the hell are you doing?¡± Skaldi screamed.

    ¡°Saving ya-ya.¡± The Snake Skin rose out of the water just on cue, catching Skaldi¡¯s fragmented senses off guard.

    ¡°Wait! Go to the right! The tenth passage!¡±

    ¡°Can¡¯t.¡±

    ¡°What? Why not?¡± Skaldi questioned exasperatedly. A sweeping flood of water crashed out of the tenth passage.

    ¡°That place had a weird song to it. I didn¡¯t like it.¡± Vega looked through the fingers of Skaldi, as she ran into the shadowy halls of the sewer. The Snake Skin took a step onto the platform, but refused to walk on it. Its eyes turned back to the foamy sewage, how his lower body couldn¡¯t be seen.

    It sunk back into the sewage, ordered to chop down the enemies of the Tripolians.

    Encountering smaller and smaller hallways, Skaldi motioned Vega to lower him down. They took moments to find light, anything from above. No water or rubbish poured in one section, only droplets falling into deeper pipes and systems unknown.

    ¡°God this place smells terrible.¡± Skaldi proclaimed, tying several scarves to his nose. He still gagged in its oppressive atmosphere.

    ¡°Ooo! What does it smell like?¡±

    ¡°Like all things unpleasant and vulgar. Now be quiet, that thing might still be following us.¡± Skaldi hushed, now prone to soapy stone floor. Just below a wall was a flat crawl space for workers. Big enough for him and Vega, so long as she attempted to be silent.

    ¡°In here, air is flowing through. Must be a way out.¡± Skaldi waved her to the ground. She followed close behind Skaldi, now stuffed close between pipes and bars of the area.

    ¡°What was happening outside?¡± Vega whispered.

    ¡°The same thing that will happen to you if you don¡¯t shut up.¡± Skaldi spoke, kicking the face of Vega.

    The air became shallow here, just as the water did. Indigo colored stone paved the underground complex. Climbing out from the crawl space, they saw coiling pipes and valves galore, hissing and pounding despite there being no workers here. Bouts of superheated water rocketed out every minute, raining hot liquid on them both. Skaldi winced and pulled his cloak over himself.

    Vega stuck out her non-existent tongue.

    ¡°Was that warm? What does warm feel like?¡± Vega poked her scribbled mouth.

    ¡°No. That was burning.¡±

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    ¡°Aw. What does burning feel like?¡± Vega hopped to Skaldi¡¯s side. He ignored this and began to consider the disrepair the room was in.

    ¡°Seems like the sewage system isn¡¯t being taken care of. Ain¡¯t that great?¡± Skaldi sarcastically asked himself.

    ¡°That¡­that isn¡¯t.¡± Vega answered.

    ¡°I was being sarcastic.¡± See?

    A pool of boiling water blocked their path and all they could reach was the various systems controlling the sewage. Skaldi tapped a pipe with his dagger, hearing the reverberation of the hollow inside.

    ¡°Guess we have to find a way to pump this stuff out.¡± Skaldi swiveled to see an office beside it. Skaldi walked into it, not noticing Vega¡¯s curiosity manifesting¡­ in turning random valves.

    A desk nearby crates full of replacement parts was the least interesting part of the office. But there was a leather bound book on the ground with the symbol of a droplet. Skaldi picked it up and flipped through random sections. Although he could be classified as a learning reader, he was surprised by how fast he picked up the Iozian language.

    Definitely not as good as Bolato, he thought, but impressive nonetheless. Descriptions and operations of the system proved readable to him. Maybe in some ten minutes, he could get back into the fight. And much better, he wouldn¡¯t need the help of the scarecrow.

    Skaldi upon exiting the room stepped in boiling hot water. Vega¡¯s rampage on the delicate system of the pipes managed to fill the entire room with water. Good on her!

    ¡°Hot! What the hell did you do?!¡±

    ¡°Tried to make more water.¡± Only Vega¡¯s head could be seen above the pool.

    ¡°Why!?¡± Skaldi jumped onto the doorframe, his body just an inch above the burning hot water.

    ¡°Because I thought ya-ya can swim.¡±

    ¡°Not like this! Fix this now!¡±

    ¡°Okay-okay, fine-fine.¡± Vega swam under, giving Skaldi little respite as he continued to be an inch away from boiling away.

    ¡°Damn it.¡± Skaldi cursed to himself. ¡°I leave her for just a few seconds and she destroys everything. If she didn¡¯t take care of Valiato when I¡¯m drunk, I would have kicked her out by now.¡± Skaldi was also surprised by how honest he was.

    He forgot about the burning sea below him. He realized he had a lot of things he had to change about himself, in order to be the man he needed to be. For Valiato.

    As he contemplated his goals, the room¡¯s water began to lower and eventually disappear.

    ¡°Water¡¯s done. Let¡¯s go!¡± Vega waved over, with her hay hair blocking her vision. She was waving at a wall.

    ¡°...How am I losing to her?¡±

    Crouching again, but not illuminated by sparkling candles, Vega felt comfortable to talk again. The stark black hallway they were in echoed a bit, so it was perfect for a close conversation.

    ¡°So¡­ what spirits do ya know?¡±

    ¡°What?¡± Skaldi looked behind.

    ¡°Back when we started the trip, at dinner. Ya said you know spirits and ya names mean striker heart.¡± Vega listed.

    ¡°I don¡¯t understand.¡±

    ¡°...Before the dead guy?¡±

    ¡°Oh yes. Spirits and names. Quite the history you know. Actually, Skaldi isn¡¯t really my name, same with the term spirit.¡± Skaldi halted Vega, hearing bubbling of liquid beside them. He believed that it was only coming from the pipes, so he gestured to her to continue.

    ¡°What do ya mean?¡±

    ¡°Spirits is the word Iozians made. In my people¡¯s language, the Galtians, the equivalent to the word is ~heaven¡¯s joints~.¡± Skaldi said as his accent changed.

    ¡°Gesundheit.¡±

    ¡°No. The same thing with the name Skaldi. ~Striker heart.~¡±

    ¡°Oh. So Iozians took all the meaning out of the original and just reduced it to a bastardized pronunciation?¡±

    ¡°Pretty much¡­yeah.¡± Again, he was surprised by Vega¡¯s bursts of intellect.

    ¡°Cool!¡± Vega¡¯s wonder with the world didn¡¯t cease, even when encountering less than pleasant histories and stories. Her enthusiasm disturbed Skaldi. How could she have an unrelenting desire to learn? Especially when it comes to such nasty subjects like the destruction of cultures?

    For an instant, not a moment longer, Skaldi thought he saw a shadow of Potenti. Then the shadow was eradicated in the light.

    ¡°But what about ya spirits? Are they shapeshifters too?¡±

    ¡°Kind of sort of. Recorian spirits take the form that comforts, right?¡± Skaldi questioned, trying to make sure he was being sensitive.

    ¡°Yep. Whether that be-be a soft fat lady or a tall soldier, it depends on the viewer.¡±

    ¡°Yeah. Galtian spirits take the form of pets or natural things mixed with sentient beings. Like a bull and an elf, or a fungus and an eagle.¡±

    ¡°Mixed race couples?¡± Vega asked.

    ¡°No, mixed species couples.¡± Skaldi corrected. He hushed her again, seeing the waves of water moving beside them suddenly. A carcass of a dead seagull popped out of the sewage, reassuring him.

    ¡°Birdie no.¡± Vega hummed to herself.

    ¡°But yeah, similar but different. By the way, why are you so interested in spirits? Don¡¯t be mad, but someone as simple as you shouldn¡¯t be so concerned.¡± Skaldi insulted.

    ¡°Well, I think about that voice I¡¯ve been hearing. And I think it''s one of those spirits, like being commanded by holy purpose or something? Do spirits do that? For ya people I mean.¡± Vega poked the butt of Skaldi, who slapped her hand to stop it. He took some time to consider it.

    Commands from the gods didn¡¯t really exist. More casual orders. Pray to them, give them sacrifice, and protect their lands. Divine quests or acts weren¡¯t a possibility, as the Galtian Gods were content ones. Any divine request would be similar to a grocery list. Like¡­ pick up milk.

    ¡°No, not at all. I guess that''s more of a Recor thing.¡±

    ¡°Aw shame. I wish somebody would tell me what to do. Well aside then ya voice, I trust ya!¡± Vega comforted the distant voice, wherever it was.

    Darker yet darker the rooms grew, almost unnatural. Skaldi took Vega¡¯s hand, just in case he needed to throw her at something. He swapped his taste for gray vision. Not as accurate as dark vision, but it was serviceable.

    Vega however, slowly became fearful in this numbing dark, and she took to talking to calm herself.

    ¡°How does love feel like?¡±

    God fucking damn it¡­

    ¡°Haha! What?¡± Skaldi luckily had no clue what she was talking about.

    ¡°It¡¯s the thing ya do with people ya care about.¡± Vega said, a tad more calm than before. ¡°Like that blue haired elf lady ya hang around with?¡±

    ¡°Oh! Well, she¡¯s just¡­ ?¡± Skaldi rubbed his chin, considering the odd idea. If he was truely honest with himself, he didn¡¯t know what his relationship with Ponteni was. Skaldi tried to imagine it as love, but he soon realized it was something more personal than love. More like an inspiration. To himself and her.

    He didn¡¯t know how to quite care for others and love friends.

    Not that I¡¯m bragging, I have never done such an act before. Even though I¡¯m an adult, I was beautiful and super smart, and had wealth beyond measure. I mean, why didn¡¯t anyone offer to marry me god damn it?! I was an eleven out of ten. A yes out of maybe!

    What was I talking about?

    Ah yes, people smooching one another.

    ¡°Oh. But you¡¯re gay.¡± Vega said, like that meant something.

    ¡°So?¡± Skaldi laughed at the implication. ¡°Yeah, we take baths together. What, do you think we do the weird stuff guys and girls do? It¡¯s mostly just kisses and hugs between us.¡± Skaldi happily reminisced on his marriage two months ago.

    ¡°What do ya-ya mean weird stuff?¡± Vega asked.

    ¡°I don¡¯t know. And¡­ I don¡¯t know how to explain love.¡±

    ¡°Aww. I don¡¯t know love-love either.¡± Vega said, half convinced she was right.

    Yeah¡­ turns out scarecrows also don¡¯t know how to have the physical feeling of love.

    ¡°Imagine that! Haha! That¡¯s so stupid!¡± Skaldi chuckled out. ¡°Look, ask Florato or something.¡±

    Don¡¯t blame Skaldi or Vega for their lack of knowledge. They¡¯re just people trying to survive. Sort of¡­

    I have to stop doing this¡­

    ¡°I¡¯ll be sure to ask her when we get out. By the way-way, are we lost? Or am I closing my eyes?¡± Vega stopped blinking five minutes ago.

    ¡°No, we¡¯re not. It¡¯s just there¡¯s no candles here. But don¡¯t worry, a lot of water and air coming from above. Also a staircase.¡± Skaldi spoke out, just as Vega tripped on the steps.

    ¡°Cool¡­ anything to get out-out of this place.¡± More sad streams poured in the rooms that followed, almost crying at the upper city¡¯s conflict. Vega squeezed Skaldi¡¯s hand briefly, just as a sad realization came to her.

    ¡°Do¡­ Do you ever miss them?¡± Vega softly asked, just as a child would when broaching a sensitive subject. Skaldi shivered, knowing what she was trying to talk about.

    ¡°No.¡±

    ¡°Are ya sure?¡±

    ¡°Yeah. They don¡¯t matter to me and they don¡¯t care about me.¡± Skaldi brushed his hair using his thumb, soothing himself.

    ¡°It¡¯s just¡­ I never really had a family. Or a dad or a mom. How-how is it like?¡± Vega asked, attempting not to cause any insecurity in Skaldi.

    ¡°...I can¡¯t lie and say that I didn¡¯t love them. Love is an incredible thing to be had. To have affection from another, to have them say that they care about you deeply. My family¡­ did love me.¡± Skaldi¡¯s hand went to his ear, tugging on it gently. ¡°Family is a lot. Responsibility, taking care of what needs to be done. Being protected and encouraged by them. And giving them back the love they gave to you. But¡­ my personal ambition versus the expectation that I must follow their every order is where I drew the line.¡± Skaldi stopped before he took another drink from his flask. He tried to resist it but he ended up taking a sip.

    ¡°I guess that''s the same with me. Ya know, I didn¡¯t always help people.¡± Vega tried to connect and relate to Skaldi. ¡°But I realized I have people that I care about and people that-that care about me. I have stuff I take care of.¡± Skaldi chuckled at that, the idea that a scarecrow would have longtime goals.

    ¡°Haha! And what would that be?¡±

    ¡°You.¡± Vega coldly insulted Skaldi''s being.

 Chapter 24: A Lone Rioter (Part 2!)

    Chapter 24: A Lone Rioter (Part 2!)

    ¡°Haha! And what would that be?¡±

    ¡°You.¡±

    Skaldi stopped laughing, stunned by Vega¡¯s serious attitude.

    ¡°Ya are like an uncared for field. Weeds and pests plague ya, but I know if I¡¯m there-there, ya will be better. Same goes for Valiato.¡± Vega¡¯s smile came back, but her voice remained authoritative. No moon or projecting came from her eyes, this was genuine. Unfeigned.

    ¡°Please, I can take care of the kid.¡± Skaldi tried to shut up Vega.

    ¡°I don¡¯t believe ya do. How old is she?¡± Vega pressed.

    ¡°She¡¯s thirteen.¡± Skaldi replied.

    ¡°Wrong. She¡¯s fourteen.¡± Vega corrected, stunning Skaldi. ¡°She turned fourteen yesterday, and she wanted to hang out with ya.¡± Vega grew a tad mad at him. ¡°Have ya even seen her? How about today? What is she doing?¡± Skaldi lowered his head, ashamed of his absence. Guilty.

    ¡°So you¡¯re telling me that I¡¯m bad for her?¡±

    ¡°No. I¡¯m telling ya for every hour ya take to improve yourself is an hour without her-her. It¡¯s fine that ya have goals, but ya shouldn¡¯t forget her while pursuing them.¡± Vega''s anger subsided into a faint commanding tone.

    ¡°Shut up¡­¡± Skaldi muttered to himself, and Vega took care not to ask anymore questions as they roamed the halls.

    Skaldi loathed this accusation, that he forgot about her. The whole reason he was learning how to read, training his body, legitimately caring about himself, was for Valiato. His head scorched hot, with him insulting Vega silently.

    He organized a whole uprising just to uplift those just like Valiato. He spent hours listening and understanding Potenti, and stood side by side with her when the fight came.

    Skaldi loved Valiato with all of his heart, and he hated that his love made no peace. Even in this quiet, peaceful darkness, there was chaos in Skaldi¡¯s soul.

    Delving further into the sewers, pools of nasty water surrounded them as they walked just beside them. Whirlpools spun around as droplets of slush dropped into them, making them a pinkish color. There was an adjacent pool that was long and rectangular in shape, and served as a reservoir. Vega saw her reflection, clear and calm in it.

    Then, a ripple disrupted the water.

    Vega noticed¡­

    A hand was reaching towards Skaldi.

    She froze solid, her face as blank as paper.

    ¡°What happened to you, scarecrow? Hello?¡± Skaldi tugged on her arm, but he understood her expression all too well. Fear. The Snake Skin geysered out of the pool and grabbed hold of Skaldi¡¯s leg, pulling him under him into the swallowing dark.

    Crushed in the sewage water, the elf waved his arms in shock. In his panic, he managed to grab hold of one of his daggers, and stabbed and slashed at the disgust around him. The Snake Skin couldn¡¯t care about injury, that was against its programming. Its orders.

    Strings of blood came out of the Snake Skin, but he continued to drag Skaldi deeper and deeper. Pressure welled in his skull, as he felt the back of his head scrapped against some hard metal. He watched as his bubbling breath popped or drifted above, to an escape.

    The elf felt the water behind him fall and spiral, as strips of air grazed him. The Snake Skin battered the nose of him with the pommel of his cutlass as they plunged. Cogs and wheels formed this place, as will as the still burning coals powering the heating system. Spilling onto bamboo scaffolding, the two got up. The Snake Skin breathlessly continued its assault against Skaldi, as he pranced and hopped over water wheels and poles.

    The weakening filled his face, as he knew bruises and cuts took shape. Crescents and barbs cursed into his skin, causing him greater insecurity.

    ¡°Why did it have to me? Damn you prick!¡± He yelled, still hurling and throwing daggers at the pursuing attacker. For every moment, the Snake Skin looked more and more like a pin cushion rather than a living being. Skaldi¡¯s tenacity allowed him breathing room, giving him the time to recover from drowning.

    Hooping onto a cog and landing backwards, he knew that the Snake Skin would attempt the jump. Much to his liking the Snake Skin jumped onto the cog, just as it was getting closer to another. Just as he tried to chase the elf, its shield arm began to become crunched by the two cogs.

    He expected it to die quickly. He was wrong, as the whole system of heating stopped as the Snake persisted. Staring in utter horror, Skadi saw the Snake Skin¡¯s arm bursting as its flesh was being ripped. It lifted its hand ax into the air, and chopped and chopped until its arm was pinned no longer.

    Skaldi took in the image, a travesty. A revolt against any concept of self love. To call it an arm would be an insult. A weathered and gored bag of muscles and arteries would be better.

    He almost threw up, but his attacker didn¡¯t allow him that luxury. Pushing him onto the burning coals, Skaldi skipped and sizzled. The Snake Skin couldn¡¯t care about injury, so it pressed forward. The smell of cooking meat filled the nose of Skaldi, and soon the smell of burnt tendon too.

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    Skaldi, still dodging the swings of the Snake Skin, recalled the booklet for the sewer. Opening it while still running away, he found a passage for the coals and steam. It read that a purple pipe when operated would create steam hot enough to melt skin and burn hair.

    Waiting for an opening, Skaldi held two daggers of unequal size. The Snake Skin swung again, but Skaldi using his smaller dagger deflected to his right, with the ax slamming into a purple pipe. Speedily running away, Skaldi leapt in a doorway, hoping to avoid the steam. A screeching hiss raced all around, engulfing the room in blazing gas.

    Skaldi felt the sweat and sewage on his skin, mixing together horribly. Sucking in long breaths of air, he recovered his lost calm.

    ¡°Damn that¡­ scarecrow. Twice today she¡¯s already messed up.¡± Skaldi said between breaths.

    He heard a crunching snap behind him.

    Skaldi took a peak behind the door. The Snake Skin still with its face melting, stared back at him. Its eyes didn¡¯t cease. It¡¯s orders didn¡¯t stop.

    ¡°Son of bitch!¡± Skaldi stumbled back, breaking into a sprint. As he ran, the Snake Skin broke through the door. The Snake Skin followed, slashing the back of his armor, sending sparks through the hall. Running, Skaldi fumbled forward.

    ¡°Why the hell do I go?¡± He surveyed the halls around him, finding a barred corridor. He quickly picked himself up and ran towards them, just barely squeezing through them. As he got through, the Snake Skin reached out to grab him, but missing. Backing up to the wall, he was only ten feet away from doom. Separated by the bars, the Snake Skin raised its head to the barrier.

    It started to hack the metal of the bars as easily as lumberjack would to a tree. Skaldi panicked, his eyes darting to any object to use. Taking a list of the corridor, it had barrels and bags all around. Cracking opening a few, most of them contained an odd mushroom.

    He remembered this same mushroom, both from his study of herbs and him seeing it depicted in the booklet. Very delicate and sensitive, but useful. Flipping through pages, he found the image of it and how it emits sweet smelling spores when crushed. Not only this but that same mushroom is used to make coughing gas used in the Iozian military. He looked at the Snake Skin, getting closer and closer to breaking the bars and killing him. Purple fear formed on his face.

    ¡°I got to try it.¡± He spoke, holding one of his hands close to his mask and the other onto his dagger. Cleaving the bar in two, the Snake Skin rushed into the corridor. Slamming the pommel of his dagger into the crate full of mushrooms, a cloud of spores erupted. Blinded for a moment, the Snake Skin swung wildly at the contents in the corridor. Crawling below and bypassing the bars, Skaldi escaped for the moment.

    Light came from a window and the roars of combat were just above. His exit, a way out ever so close. Running further into whatever halls he could find, he still smelt the gross stench of the Snake Skin, unrelentingly stalking him.

    Time went on but Skaldi found himself in a deadend, with only a door blocking his path. Skaldi turned the knob but it was locked. The clashing of shields and spears were nearby, freedom. He jumped and drove his feet into the door. It didn¡¯t open.

    ¡°Son of bitch!¡± He cursed, turning to see the distant but still approaching Snake Skin. Roughly a hundred feet away, it bolted ever closer to Skaldi. Kicking furiously, Skaldi hoped the door would break open.

    ¡°Come on!¡±

    Eighty feet.

    ¡°Come on you son of a bitch!¡±

    Sixity feet.

    ¡°Please!¡± He begged, as he felt an acidy shock in his body. Skaldi still continued, trying to ignore his pain.

    Forty feet.

    In his mind, he chastised himself for all the things he did wrong. For being an alcoholic. For not being a proper husband for Bolato. Not being the man he should have been.

    Twenty feet.

    ¡°Someone! I¡¯m sorry! Just please, help me!¡± His puny kicks were doing nothing, so he banged his fists against the door.

    Zero.

    Skaldi called for someone, anyone, to save him.

    But no one came.

    Crashing both him and the door down, the Snake Skin carrended its ax into the face of Skaldi. Knocked onto the ground, the elf was taken aback for a moment. To his past, to the time he proudly called himself a Galtian man.

    The first battle he fought, against an Iozian battalion. He and his comrades flung blades and knives into the mass of Iozian soldiers, but not a single one brought down a target. That was the first moment he knew what he believed was a lie, that this war could be won. He saw the same men he knew for his entire childhood die at the hands of heartless swords and brainless arrows.

    A cold flooded him, as he knelt down on the battlefield. A spear head was embedded in his stomach. An Iozian cavalryman skewered his side.

    There was less blood than he expected. All the tales of blazing, glorious death became lies to him. He collapsed immediately, trying to tell himself to keep breathing. To keep living. Skaldi took himself back to that moment.

    He wondered if he was still on that battlefield, together with that coldness in his stomach.

    The screaming didn¡¯t come from him however, only from his fellow fighters trying to fight on or recover the wounded. He couldn¡¯t remember how he exactly felt with all that screaming. Peaceful was the word he thought, as he was surrounded by death.

    Everything was so clear at that moment. Every sense was as accurate as can be. The grass had an earthy feeling. The sky is defined by indigo rain. And he tasted the grainy, putrid dirt in his mouth. Skaldi felt like he was blinded all of his life and finally gained sight. Like he was chained and was set free.

    Skaldi believed that all of this was false, ersatz material rather than reality. He was dead and all of this was an elaborate dream. Or a nightmare.

    The Snake Skin stood above the bleeding elf, half awake and half hallucinating. It raised with one hand, holding the bloodied ax, and lifted high enough so that Skaldi could realize that it was no dream. It was happening. And he knew that eventually, he would have just happened.

    Doom, he thought to himself. All this struggle, just to be a failure.

    CRUNCH!

    The back of the head no longer existed for the Snake Skin, since Vega took to piercing its skull with her pickaxe. Its body fell against the wall and what remained of its head slid and plopped onto the floor.

    ¡°Haha. He died funny!¡± She spoke like a kid.

    She then saw the face of Skaldi. Less pleasant looking than before, since he didn¡¯t have a right eye anymore. Vega¡¯s soul dropped, a bit sad that Skaldi had to go through all that. He was a good person after all, he didn¡¯t deserve that.

    ¡°Well, at least you¡¯re breathing! Let¡¯s get ya up!

 Chapter 25: City Conquerors (Part 1!)

    Chapter 25: City Conquerors (Part 1!)

    When a legion arrives, it is truly a legendary event for all to see. Thousands of men born from the finest families decades ago, clad in shaped iron, ready to take on the foes of the Oligarchy.

    Drilling and practicing every day, these soldiers were the machines of the Iozians, the ones that crafted bridges across rivers miles wide, built fortresses in a single night, and carved out the thousands of provinces that Iozians called their own.

    You could see them through fog as the glint of their swords massed together into a violent star. Their stomps of their studded sandals scared off even the most brave of beasts. So many and so large that they could drink lakes into deserts and could turn civilizations into wastelands.

    The commander and his battalion would be the first of the legion to arrive as the rest would arrive in the next hour. He was ready for blood.

    What he wasn¡¯t ready for was an army of prostitutes saving Fort Jao, stopping the Tripolians from sacrificing the people. Oh, and a scarecrow covered in brains.

    ¡°Hello! I killed a person!¡± She, unfazed by the gruesome actions of today, wasted no time in engaging the commander. He, at least to her, stood out among the many bodies laying on the floor. It might have been because he was alive, but don¡¯t ask me.

    ¡°Right¡­ you wouldn¡¯t mind¡­ getting out of the way construct?¡± Shifting uncomfortably on his horse, he tried moving past Vega. Each time he did, she would step in front of him. Her eyes alert and stitched onto his horse, showing her curiosity with his mount.

    ¡°Mind if I pet the horse-horse?¡±

    ¡°...Fuck it. Go nuts.¡± He slid off the horse¡¯s side and the moment his heels hit the ground Vega went to play fetch with the beast. Unfortunately for Vega, the horse mistook her for hay and chased her.

    ¡°Hello Det, it''s been quite a while.¡± The sound of Bolato¡¯s voice echoing from a nearby alleyway reassured the commander that all was right. His appearance of blood stained on his blade made everything right in the world by Det¡¯s standards.

    Det the commander wasn¡¯t bothered by that but by the amount of blood on the prostitutes. Shaking his head, he took a breath and assumed his high ranked costume. He was a stout and short man, with a face that had never been crossed by anyone in his life.

    ¡°Indeed it has. I assume you¡¯re the one that led this uprising. Prostitutes, very resourceful.¡± Det¡¯s voice was smooth, a tad condescending but passive. Bolato wanted to tell him the truth, but his face revealed a secret anxiety that Det noticed.

    ¡°No worries. I won¡¯t take up more of your time. Men, get the translators. We need to collect some intel. Might take us a day, but we got time¡­¡± Det bowed and ordered his men around as he walked away. Unkind for a normal person, but Bolato knew this was Det¡¯s way of saying ¡®take your time, I won¡¯t bother you¡¯. Bolato took his leave and hoped that everything was alright in the clinic.

    Skaldi¡¯s face covered by bandages had the calm of a sleeping babe, unknowing of the world¡¯s conflicts or mysteries. Potenti was the one following his near unhearable instructions, creating the herbal remedy needed to heal broken bones. His upper brow just above his right eye opened like a chasm in the earth, reaching to his hairline. This new wound connected to his old scar, like cracks in a window.

    ¡°Put in the root shavings¡­ now.¡± He tapped the bowl beside Potenti, sliding it over to her knees on the ground. The clinic cloaked in the dark blue of the afternoon sky had all the ingredients needed to ensure his survival. But of course the doctors that were supposed to be here decided drinking themselves into a coma was better than doing their jobs. You know, as doctors do.

    ¡°Yes mista.¡± Potenti worried that one mistake could end his life, even how fine the powder or shavings could put an end to her friend. In reality Skaldi was just winging the recipe and regardless of how well it was, it would stop his head splitting headache, pun very much intended.

    Taking a brush and collecting a powder of Hurius root, she painted over his bandage, letting a thick blue over his face. Skaldi¡¯s chest rose high and slowly fell, his breathing stable. His eye felt that it was stuck in a blizzard as a hail of snow piled over it as it became numb.

    He didn¡¯t quite feel too bad anymore. Of course he was pissed that he only had one eye, but in combat, losing only an eye is quite lucky.

    If Vega didn¡¯t show up, he could have lost his life, Skaldi told himself.

    ¡°Do you feel any better?¡± Potenti asked, trying not to speak loud so as to allow Skaldi time to adjust.

    ¡°Fuck no. But thank you.¡± He reached out for her hand and it with his thumb. Skaldi was quite glad about her, how she was fighting for something. That she hadn¡¯t given up. She refused to be nothing.

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    Creaking hinges alerted the two, as the worried Bolato entered. He went onto one knee and understood that Skaldi was in a stable condition. He had been privy to many injuries in his time in the navy. Arrow wounds, battered by storms, anything nasty or worth telling.

    Much to his own dismay, Bolato had an uncanny ability to tell if someone wounded would survive treatment. He always noticed the alertness of the eyes proved that the patient would live. Although it would just be an eye in this scenario.

    He was pleased to see Skaldi very much awake and active, even if his remaining eye was half closed. The soldier wondered how Skaldi felt, would he try to make this scar too into a great act?

    Coming closer, Bolato gripped onto Skaldi¡¯s hand and raised it to his lips. Potenti¡¯s jaw lowered, not knowing that they were a couple.

    ¡°Wait¡­ you two are-?¡±

    ¡°Together? Yes.¡± Skaldi answered, trying to avoid any more conflict for today. Potenti seemed like she was going to make a joke to lighten up the mood but her heart wasn¡¯t in the right place to say it.

    ¡°Did you tell her?¡± Bolato asked snidely.

    ¡°No, because I was listening to her and not giving details that didn¡¯t matter.¡± Skaldi pouted as best as a man on painkillers could.

    ¡°Sorry, I¡¯m glad you have someone like that mista.¡± Potenti giggled, brushing her hair to the side.

    ¡°Me too. But I¡¯m not so sure that kissing is going to be the same. Bolato liked that eyeball a lot! Hehe.¡± Skaldi laughed and covered a few coughs that came out.

    ¡°Right. Well, good thing a battalion is here.¡± Bolato announced, happy that the Oligarchy was finally cleaning up the mess Periatus was. ¡°I heard that they¡¯re gonna award a Purple Heart to the man that organized this revolt.¡± Bolato leaned to the ear of Skaldi, tempting him to excitement.

    Bolato believed that Skaldi, even in his healing, would bound out of bed and wear it with sneering pride. He wanted to congratulate him for his service, for his honor. The blue haired elf felt great pride for Skaldi, that she had been under such a fine man. And an even finer hero.

    ¡°Well I guess it should go to the boss then.¡± Skaldi replied quickly, before dozing off immediately. Both Bolato and Potenti were left with a single question.

    ¡°What?¡±

    Under the yogurt cloud sky, Amir spent the day and the day before taking Valiato to his favorite tea parlors. It had been years since he had been in Fort Jao and Valiato was too young and unsophisticated to truly appreciate the pastime of tea. Vega and Bolato took some time to visit, giving her some gifts (Bolato got her a game set, Vega brought her a rock that someone told her was a gold coin. It was a really cool rock).

    In secret, Amir had a special liking for a tea parlor right beside the Arena. It was a tall and orange plastered building, with a brass minaret having the Tripolian symbol for stars spinning around it.

    The inside was clean and solemn, it resembled a rich hermitage. Full of history and paintings of Tripolian past and perhaps future, this building had been built two hundred years ago by a family of runaway nobles. Alone and secluded from any battle.

    An exclusive class of customer patronized here, decked with so much garment and jewelry they looked like an embroidered rug rather than someone with a taste for fashion.

    Amir, taking roughly a hundred gold coins for his daughter¡¯s birthday, used it to have a close and calm time with her. Provided with spices coming from fields hundreds of miles away and the water created by river nymphs, her birthday was one to remember.

    He even allowed her to take off her turban, letting her get comfortable and visible. He laughed at her reactions to the various tea and treats the parlor had, and she laughed at his humorous attitude. The father and daughter had quite a lot of fun, with these past two days not having the relationship of teacher and student.

    Amir cracked a lot more jokes during this time, prompting Valiato to relax and enjoy her teenage curiosity. Valiato never remembered her father talking quite so much before, he looked truly happy rather than annoyed. Even his asthmatic cough didn¡¯t plague him for long.

    She finally got to learn a lot more about him, especially on who he truly was. But that came to a halt when the battalion started investigating Amir.

    ¡°~You! Pork bro!~¡± A translator misspoke while escorted by two soldiers.

    ¡°If you''re trying to say pork breath, it''s pronounced ¡®tumin zyrezade¡¯. Try again.¡± Valiato sassed, crossing her arms at the conduct of the soldiers.

    ¡°Shut it kid, and help us tie up this raider.¡± The translator ordered, as all the ropes that they tried using on Amir¡¯s wrists were far too thin to restrain him.

    ¡°He¡¯s not a raider, he¡¯s¡­ my¡­ uhh-¡± She stopped, realizing that she shouldn¡¯t reveal that she was an orphan, a ghost to Iozians. Luckily, Bolato flanked behind the soldiers with Det backing him up.

    ¡°A good man in the company of Bolato. Unhand him you dolts.¡± Det swat the back of his hand at the translator.

    ¡°But sir, you ordered us to take every raider in the city!¡±

    ¡°Why do I have to keep saying this? Every raider is drunk! The fucker is drinking from a porcelain cup, not from a wine pot.¡± Det rumbled his eyes in contempt, tired from his men trying to get action out of what was clearly a non combatant.

    ¡°If I find Runtaii, I will crucify him personally.¡± Det cursed to himself. All of this embarrassment caused by him drove Det in a silent obsession. He expected his men might have been itching for a fight, but not quite like this. Det cleared his throat and bowed with the Tripolian custom of grabbing at the collar.

    ¡°~Sorry sir. Please take this as an apology.~¡± Det courteous pulled out a cigar the length of Valiato¡¯s arm.

    Det was a Matigas Natao man, and they had the tradition of sharing a foot long cigars between upper class families for roughly a month. Amir inspected it and gently put the offering into his pack and bowed in response. The translator and his fellow soldiers stood with their tails between their legs. Not literally, none of them actually had tails.

    Valiato recoiled back, confused that Bolato had blood on his sleeve.

    ¡°Bola? What happened?¡± She questioned with a twinge of concern.

    ¡°How to put this¡­¡± Bolato stared away and scratched his head until a proper response came to him. ¡°You see, Skaldi and the prostitutes lead a rebellion against the raiders, we saved some prisoners from being sacrificed in a weird ritual, Skaldi fell down a sewer with Vega, he lost an eye, and¡­ that''s¡­ that''s roughly it.¡±

    Valiato took several moments to take all in.

    ¡°~What did he say kid?~¡±

    ¡°~Skaldi did something and got¡­ hurt?~¡± She shrugged, still coming to terms with Skaldi''s injury. Amir laughed at the odd summary, knowing there was a lot more she was leaving out.

    ¡°~Haha! So business as usual?~¡±

 Chapter 25: City Conquerors (Part 2!)

    Chapter 25: City Conquerors (Part 2!)

    Lined up against the walls like merchandise, the drunken raiders were forced to squat. With their ankles bound, all they could do was sway side to side and balance with their hands. And I must say, seeing the sight of drunk men trying to not to fall is always funny.

    What is also funny, if not more, was the amount of casualties. The prostitutes had an army of a hundred versus the Tripolians with about two hundred. Right now there had been twenty two killed raiders, fivity six wounded, and the rest captured and awaiting punishment. The prostitutes didn¡¯t have any major loss¡­ well, aside from Skaldi losing his eye.

    I must remind you how much technology and a group driven towards a common good can be a strong force. But then again, you don¡¯t have to be a genius to realize that having most of your men wasted on Iozian alcohol wasn¡¯t a strategic decision.

    Nor was sending the only sober men in your band to chase after a scarecrow. Speaking of which, Vega was taking care of repossessing all the goods that the raiders took.

    ¡°Ya have the right to remain silent. Give up your shit and ya will be slapped without incident!¡± Vega ordered fiercely, while holding out her pickaxe drenched in the brain of the Snake Skin. The raiders who didn¡¯t understand a word she said, responded by showing her all the stuff they stole. Along with pissing their pants every time seeing her.

    The town guard back in Cold Cavern felt that she needed an attitude when dealing with criminals since her voice inspired more levity when menace was needed. So under the orders of the Captain, they created a script which Vega copied and did without fail. After that when she told bandits to freeze, they really would freeze!

    Yet the slapping part¡­ was all Vega¡¯s doing. She saw a dad spanking a kid and felt that would be necessary to add in.

    The raiders¡¯ butts were quite sore after that.

    The battalion with the help of the prostitutes who were, again, the only people with a functioning liver, reestablished order in Fort Jao. Many of the centurions brought out their stashes of food as the people hadn¡¯t eaten food that wasn¡¯t coated in wine in days.

    Notice the kindness, the great and free kindness. Study it my student, its forms and its habits. How it roams from street to street, and in the form of men armed. Consider it, the starving folk and how they would elicit empathy from the killers of Iozia.

    Groups of soldiers feeding them the food that was theirs just an hour ago. That they saw another and chose to be with them. That these men came here to break but ended up healed this fracture.

    For best and for worst, the image of a typical Iozian was a recovering addict, lusting for substance, but fighting against the nature that was sold to them. Victims that were made a long time ago.

    This believed weakness was true, along with the strength of being one. To be driven from stability, to be a stranger in a strange land, and yet swam into the sea of death that stretched into the foreseeable future without boundaries or limits, shimmering like bones in moonlight.

    Regardless of the tragedy that befall all Iozians, these soldiers choose to help these hungering citizens, forgetting that they were violence of a government personified. Only knowing that people were hurt and needed to help.

    Dare I say, I¡¯m quite pleased with the revolt¡¯s result.

    However, I wasn¡¯t as pleased to see that the battalion was ready to give out awards for literally doing nothing. The bodies hadn¡¯t even been buried, but Det decided it would be best to do a quick recap and recognize the true leader of the uprising.

    Setting up their standards and flags in the Assembly, the battalion took care to honor the hero of the Oligarchy today. And they were stunned to see a serpentine lady accept that honor without question. What they didn¡¯t know was that Skaldi refused the offer, choosing to sleep.

    ¡°I would likes to thanks the academy and all my workers.¡± She called with a heavy heart, crying and sniffing into a handkerchief. This got claps from her workers, groans from the centurions, and a smile from Vega.

    ¡°Isn¡¯t this great-great? We¡¯re really heroes, Kaliba!¡±

    ¡°Sure-sure.¡± The crow humored her while eating from a bucket of chicken. Bolato attended the bootleg ceremony, standing on the platform right beside Det. Det shuffled over silently and spoke plainly.

    ¡°This is a load of barnacles. It should be you getting the Heart of Honor.¡±

    ¡°Yeah sure,¡± Bolato said sarcastically, ¡°She was the one with all the manpower and she did all the prep work. I wouldn¡¯t try to take that from her. On soldier¡¯s honor.¡± Bolato put his hand on his chest, satisfaction that Det wasn¡¯t at all lacking the ceremony. He wanted to let him know that his duty as commander extends beyond being uncharismatic.

    Det knew Bolato was hiding something, concealing an inner secret. But he wished not to ruin Bolato¡¯s confidence and went along with the blubbering boss¡¯s performance. Vega laughed at the act, believing it was fake. Everyone else, including Kaliba, had more than enough of her sniffing the moment she got on stage. Vega joyfully remarked and wondered how all of this started.

    ¡°Thank ya voice. I never would have been here without ya.¡±

    The bed soaked in his salty sweat, Skaldi groaned through his soul. The dress on him was sticking to his back, and the bandages itched like a hole ant hill was on his face.

    Disorenating, was the word he thought. He knew he only lost roughly twenty five percent of his vision, but he already felt its effects. Knocking over the water on the desk beside him, he couldn¡¯t tell how far and close things were now.

    Eliminating his sense of smell, he tried to replicate the depth his sight had.

    All he could create was a failed copy.

    ¡°Damn¡­ it.¡± Skaldi croaked out, sitting up in his bed. Knowing that his head would take a long time to heal, Skaldi¡¯s insecurity came to him again. Seeing his bandolier on his lap, he took out a single dagger. A diagram for the anatomy of an elf pinned on the wall in front of him.

    The figure before him was masculine, one side naked the other reddish muscles and organs. Tensing his thumb across the metal, he knew the way to hold it quite well. But his coordination was off, only viewing from the left. Skaldi focused his eyes on the diagram and started to give up his sense of smell and taste. However, he stopped.

    Smelling the lovely jasmine heat of the room, tasting the tea he drank a few minutes prior. All the lovely wonders of the world were there, free and unbound. He wasn¡¯t going to trade some for the whole. He wasn¡¯t going to comprise himself, not anymore.

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    ¡°I lost a lot. I can¡¯t change that. But I¡¯m not going to give it up.¡± Confidence boomed in his system. Aiming his dagger slowly, he threw with the elegance of a bird learning to fly.

    The throwing dagger bounced off the wall and clattered onto the floor. This should have been simple, easy as it had always been for him. Skaldi breathed hard as a shame filled him. A tear of a hundred worries fell from his eye, but he gritted his teeth, summoning the resilience of a thousand hearts.

    ¡°I won¡¯t stop. I won¡¯t let go.¡±

    Bored soldiers walked out in droves and proud prostitutes (funny, I know) walked out in order. The day was theirs, no one could ever take that from them. Muffled laughter came from all around, as well as glowing smiles and roaring cheers.

    Only a few days ago they would have been an object for pleasure, nothing more. But now the men staring at the prostitutes gave looks of admiration. That they weren¡¯t less than, but more than they could ever be.

    With the evening stars sparkling in the snowy sky, they knew today was a change, perhaps a turning point for their future. In fact, some of the battalion felt compelled to give them some pointers on their formations. Not only that, but the boon the boss got was enough to put them all through an upper class education leaving everyone overjoyed.

    Everyone except Potenti, fearing the future of Skaldi. Before this day, she imagined him to be the cunning hero she read in stories, ever bold and bright. Now when she imagined a victim of the approaching war. Unable to see beyond his damage, unable to be anything else to those that observed him.

    ¡°Can he survive? Can the dead walk again?¡± She murmured to herself, sitting down on an empty street corner. Snow piled up on walls as the rest of the raiders were being processed. Gazing at the men, she thought of the alcohol Skaldi always drank, how he was similar to these Tripolians. Potenti remembered the honor she had felt, but she knew there was no honor in weaklings.

    ¡°I¡¯m not so sure about dead walking, but I''ll survive, maybe.¡± Skaldi creeped behind her, with the bluehead jumping up and palming her hands to her mouth. Skaldi with freshly wetted hair and skin stood tall despite his bruises all around him. Purple circles dotted all around him but none on his forehead.

    ¡°I¡¯m sorry that I worried you, but I¡¯ll be fine. Well, as fine as you can be.¡± Skaldi stepped closer, placing more weight on his left foot. ¡°Tell me, was the ceremony all that you wanted it to be?¡± Skaldi snickered out, trying to show Potenti he was in good spirits.

    ¡°Haha, it was quite the show. Boss got her purple heart, and we got plenty of cash. A cart full of silver. It¡¯s going to be split up tomorrow, will you be there?¡± Potenti asked, softly rubbing Skaldi¡¯s upper arm.

    He took her all in, seeing that his plan had worked. Potenti had been wearing a winter coat with a thick skirt. An illustrious blue with sleeves decorated with flowers, and the skirt she had made, the one she showed him back on the first night they had met. She was a feminine genius, full of imagination and hope.

    Her palms covered in silky gloves, ready to be used. He knew her work had only begun. But now, she wasn¡¯t weak, she knew she was strong.

    But himself, he believed he was weak, but knew he could achieve the power he so desperately desired. Not for himself, but to those that he loved. Closing his eyes with grief, his heart became heavy.

    ¡°Sorry, but my team and I have to go.¡± He replied, intending her to know that it wasn¡¯t a choice he wanted to make. Bolato and Amir understood that this revolt put big targets on their back and Det could only stop any further investigation for so long. Potenti didn¡¯t know this, but she accepted him.

    Skaldi arrived here and brought her the event that would calm and encourage her for years to come. She could live with that and she would smile at his leaving.

    ¡°Potenti, you¡¯re a great woman. Don¡¯t let anyone, even yourself tell you otherwise.¡± Skaldi stepped quietly into the fog of white, as Potenti let him go. Her heart jumped for a moment, reaching for a treasure unreachable.

    ¡°But what about you? Don¡¯t you want to see all the good you¡¯ve earned? What you fought for? For what you gave up?¡± Potenti, futile as her plead was, wanted a glimpse behind his blue eyes, to see beneath the sea of which Skaldi swam alone. To know how he did it all.

    ¡°Come on! I have a kid to look after. Well, look after as best I can¡­¡±

    Only for an instant, not a moment longer, she saw how hurt he really was. But he banaged himself with a phrase he heard when entering this city.

    ¡°What matters is that we tried to make a world with less suffering.¡±

    Skaldi whispered the phrase sweetly. He performed an elvish bow to her, throwing his hair to his back and waved her goodbye, disappearing into the snowdrift.

    Potenti¡¯s eyes cried, cried for all those years she had lost to others and herself. A puddle of still unfrozen water was beside and she accidentally stepped in it.

    When it stabilized, she saw herself. True and pretty. She had realized herself.

    The ship Det provided was easy to operate since it only had a single mast, so Bolato didn¡¯t have any great disagreements. The Pinnace, otherwise a light boat, stored the wagon inside, though cramped as it was. Enough storage space for the centuries to rest however. Roughly thirty feet in length and ten feet in width, this recon vessel accompanies galleys of the Iozians.

    Alone in the blue fog of the waters, the team recovered. Bolato had always wanted to be a captain, retiring on a ship that was ported to an island or a coastal village. Simple and undisturbed. But he knew he needed a lot of money, which he and the party lost.

    Well, more like paid Det five thousand gold for a ship and silence that they had never been in Fort Jao. Ten thousand gold was a lot, but he knew they would need a lot more in order to secure their safety and make sure the road ahead of them was unplagued by bounty hunters.

    Despite this effort, he saw Skaldi showing off the trinkets he had stolen in Fort Jao, much to Valiato¡¯s faint amazement. She was pleased to see them, but still disliking Skaldi¡¯s conduct. As she looked at his face, she took glances at her own hand, branded. She didn¡¯t want Skaldi to suffer the same scars that were given to her.

    The soldier felt lucky that no one had been following them, trying to capture them and gain their prize. But he believed that would change when they arrived at the capital of Periatus. Raising his fist into the air, he could tell with some time that the wind was going against them.

    In his teen years Bolato trained here in the Yutai Basin, as most recruits in the navy do. Checking the rigging, ensuring that the wagon¡¯s centuries were fed, and cleaning the sleeping quarters of any pest, Bolato felt right at home. Following this, he tested the speed of the vessel

    ¡°So captain, how''s the sailing?¡± Florato rested her head on the balcony of the ship, gazing at the rope he placed an hour ago.

    ¡°Ships have different measurements of speed. With that rope and the knots on it, we can gauge that in, well, knots. The wind isn¡¯t favoring us, but this beaute has quite the maneuverability.¡± He relinquished the details, rubbing the wooden wheel that piloted the ship. Bolato spoke like a father appraising his son, glad despite imperfect conditions.

    ¡°I see. Plenty of sails should get us there in no time. How far is the city? I have never been.¡± Florato said getting closer to Bolato. She pulled out the map since Vega trusted her even though she couldn¡¯t read it. Handing the paper over, both of their eye¡¯s came to the center of it.

    The Yutai Basin was the mouth of three rivers that flowed into the Thakian Sea. In reality it was a freshwater lake that was the fourth largest in the western continents. The distance that their vessel needed to travel amounted to an adventure of two thousand miles. Bolato then counted the knots, which was a sad four. Four knots was a slow pace for the Pinnace but it wasn¡¯t unacceptable. The actress saw the annoyance on Bolato¡¯s face and laughed.

    ¡°Going to take a while, huh?¡± Florato remarked, pleased that she would have some peace for a while.

    ¡°I guess.¡± He conceded. ¡°Four knots is about four miles per hour. Traveling at four knots and perhaps the wind changing, we should get there in a week or two.¡± The actress closed her eyes and raised her head to the sky, enjoying this idea of a simple sea travel. No battles, no wars. Just an earned silence.

    She waited for Bolato to give her a joke or a stoic response, but all she heard was him reclining on a stool. Florato, without looking, knew that he was analyzing Skaldi, so she didn¡¯t continue.

    Skaldi is growing, Bolato knew. His performance with the stolen items was vain, yes, but he could tell that Skaldi cultivated an inner purpose. He hoped that Skaldi would notice him but the elf focused on Valiato, trying to make up for lost time. Bolato¡¯s hand went to lips, brushing them. How would he kiss? How would he hug? How would Skaldi smile?

    All of these spawning and unceasing questions in the soldier''s mind. One answered with Skaldi picking Valiato up, causing her to giggle in surprise.

    ¡°You alright sweetpea.¡±

    ¡°...Yeah. Yeah I am Ska.¡±

    The left side of his face creased while the other raised slightly, like steam coming from a covered pot.

    The soldier was relieved that Skaldi was maintaining confidence, no matter how fragile it was. Bolato loved Skaldi, and wouldn¡¯t want him to hurt himself for others. Despite this, he knew he was going to fight for anyone in need. He would not remain weak anymore. He won¡¯t stop. He won¡¯t let go.

 Chapter 26: Bigger Boatâ€¦

    Chapter 26: Bigger Boat¡­

    To be honest, I¡¯m not one for traveling by boat, much less a squalid one like a Pinnace. Back in my day, the company I was with had expensive taste and a significant portion of the money they earned from teaching the next generation of rulers was spent on increasing extravagant ships to vacation around in the seas.

    Galleys rivaling cityscapes with sails flying high worked by crews of a hundred artisans and sailors. Rooms ladder with marvelous glass cups and silver dishes. All of those ships were stocked with so much medicine, food, and fresh water that you could stay there for months without docking for supplies. To put it bluntly, it was awesome.

    Of course, the good old passtime of spitting on people poorer than you and abusing staff that need money. Now that¡¯s a quality vacation!

    Nonetheless, I couldn¡¯t summon the appreciation of nautical adventures. Having my two feet on the ground was all I wanted during those trips. Admittedly, I took up hobbies to distract from the fact that I couldn¡¯t swim. Fishing was one of those efforts, since it got me prestige from my companions.

    But I doubt that Amir was fishing for any respect. The Tripol stationed his fishing pole at the front most edge of the ship, right next to the second sail of the ship. Bolato beside him studied a book.

    All Amir could tell was that the page he was reading had drawings of various knots and how to tie them. He went on a boat once but never gave the system of sailing much thought.

    Nevertheless, Amir was glad that other people would be taking care of the upkeep of the ship.

    ¡°What-what knot am I supposed to use Bolato? They all look the same!¡± Vega asked loudly, holding onto the ship¡¯s rigging. Of plush hemp, the rigging was¡­ there is no other way of saying so I¡¯ll be direct, too thin to support Bolato¡¯s weight. Employing the scarecrow was his means of getting his hands dirty.

    ¡°Its the clove! Tie it onto the post so it''s secure.¡± Bolato responded, not lifting his head from the book. Amir understood the focus needed to read, especially for people that knew little of the craft.

    Momentarily Amir wished to instruct the soldier, guiding his reading while making sure he didn¡¯t stray too far from the text¡¯s meaning. But he naturally realized that he couldn¡¯t, even with Valiato¡¯s help.

    The Tripol had a poor relationship with teaching Iozians to say the least. Amir thought of the culture¡¯s backwards attitude to learning and growth. How fast men were to say they were master¡¯s in their fields despite being the age of twenty. In addition, Amir knew the gap between the Iozians and Tripolian in the amount of schools in the particular lands.

    Although conjuring up a statistic as old as him, for every hundred miles in Iozia, there was one school. In Tripolian lands whether be a river valley or a rocky region, the average was five schools for every hundred miles.

    Blowing hard through his nose, Amir felt a twinge of national pride, but that dissipated in the next second. No matter how many schools there were, education and particularly related to reading was for the upper class. Exclusivity is a hallmark for rich society, the same with who knows how to read text, Amir knew.

    ¡°Alright! All done-done. Anything else?¡± Vega slid down the rope, landing in a split behind Bolato. He took a long breath, Bolato hadn¡¯t heard her. ¡°Anything¡­ else to do?¡± Vega threw the book Bolato gave her and without looking grabbed it in his open hand.

    ¡°Yeah. Det gave us plenty of equipment, but he couldn¡¯t give us too many rations.¡± Bolato closed the book, leaving a note inside.

    ¡°Okay, is that bad?¡± Vega said, lifting her head up with her two hands.

    ¡°Sort of.¡± Bolato laughed, thinking that Vega understood the problem. She blinked, not having a clue of the issue. ¡°I see¡­ the thing is that we need to feed the centuries. Those big bugs need a lot of fodder to keep them happy. If we don¡¯t, then we have two mad war centuries that can bite through wood.¡± Bolato spoke nonchalantly, he had dealt with similar problems back in training.

    ¡°I¡¯ve seen a century snap a goat in half-half before. It was so cool, and there blood everywhere!¡± Vega enjoyed the memory of the family of centuries, and relayed the story with a bit grim description.

    ¡°Right¡­¡± Bolato could only offer that as a response.

    Amir could tell that the conversation was now approaching himself and what he needed to do. He preemptively sighed and walked over to the two.

    ¡°Good news is that there¡¯s an island where we can stop, pick up some grub, and rest. Bad news is that we have a couple days to get there. Vega, help Amir catch his fish and we¡¯ll be right as rain.¡± Bolato translated it to Amir by signaling his arm in a wave and pointing at Vega. He sent her off, now moving towards his and Skaldi¡¯s room.

    ¡°~Great.~¡± Amir called out to the sea, hoping some miracle would take her away. But the spirits didn¡¯t favor him, so he had to come to terms with the scarecrow.

    ¡°Fishies! Hold on, let me get a pole!¡± Vega ran into the storage room and five seconds later was holding one. The scarecrow stopped for a moment, her face showed that she had forgotten something.

    ¡°Dang. I need some bait-bait. Kaliba? Any ideas?¡± The bird threw up some of the chicken he ate the day before.

    ¡°Thanks buddy!¡± She said, sticking the refuse on the hook. Pulling back and then sending the hook, far into the horizon spanning lake before her.

    Fog ghosted around the ship with the sun veiled by clouds. The elf balanced the knife between his fingers, a target board in front of him. Stabbed with only four daggers, Skaldi twitched with fervent anger. The rest of them were on the floor, unburied corpses. The gray light coming from under the door to his room made shadow flowers for these victims. All failed to hit their mark.

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    The sudden opening of the door broke what little temperance he had, sending the knife into the graveyard of the floor. Having to turn his whole head, Skaldi cursed himself for being so vulnerable. For being so weak. Insecurity would have taken hold, but Bolato approached.

    The soldier didn¡¯t need an answer, for he saw the pain within the elf. Coming close, he wrapped his arms around Skaldi, kissing his forehead as he embraced him.

    ¡°It¡¯s okay.¡± He sweetly told Skaldi. Breathing deep, Skaldi¡¯s head fell onto Bolato¡¯s breast.

    ¡°Thanks.¡± Skaldi said, sniffing for a second. The elf tapped the arm of him, wanting to be let go. Bolato compiled with him, letting his arms fall to grab his hands.

    ¡°Being alone isn¡¯t going to do you much good.¡±

    ¡°Yeah, yeah. So you want me to do some work to keep it off my mind?¡± Skaldi lips curled, placing his hands on his hips. His voice was somber, unreleasing of his loss, but a weight had been lifted.

    ¡°That¡¯s the idea.¡± Bolato confirmed, leading Skaldi to the sight of the fishing Vega and Amir. Day didn¡¯t break through the fog, so the pair looked unclear, like an oily reflection. Surprisingly, Amir was the one to wave him over since Vega had been intently focused on the pole she was holding.

    ¡°Mind giving them a hand?¡± Bolato asked.

    ¡°What can I do? Unless you get a trident and tie me to a rope, I¡¯m not so good with fish.¡± Skaldi replied, leaning his head forward over the balcony.

    ¡°Well, I remembered that you were collecting recipes when we were back in Core Civitus. That got me thinking, you once said that you had a recipe for bait.¡± Bolato explained.

    ¡°Huh, you actually remember that better than I do.¡±

    ¡°Can you make it?¡±

    ¡°No worries. I prepared before we went on the boat, I just didn¡¯t think we¡¯d need to use it so soon.¡± Skaldi opened up his pack and pulled out a jar the size of his thumb. The soldier lifting both of pinky fingers to Amir¡¯s eyes, the Tripol received the signal and handed over his fishing pole. Popping off the cap of the jar, Skaldi poured a purple liquid onto the hook.

    ¡°This here is Fishermen¡¯s tongue. Smells like death but it sure brings in a harvest.¡± Skaldi shook the jar in front of Amir, who coughed in agreement. He had forgotten the elf¡¯s interest in learning. Sure it was only for practical purposes rather than liking knowledge gained, but he was certainly different than most Iozians. Mostly.

    ¡°~Not bad.~¡± Skaldi snickered at Amir¡¯s response, knowing it was a suspended praise.

    ¡°What about you scarecrow? Bet this will blow ya mind? Hehe¡­¡± Putting his hand on his mouth, Skaldi mocked her speech.

    The scarecrow¡¯s eyes welled up, her scribbled pupil growing larger. Her eyes fired open, gazing far below the sea.

    It was the voice again.

    The rest of the men waited for her to give a whacky retort, but no. Vega was out of it, Skaldi thought.

    ¡°Huh. Well here you go Amir.¡± Skaldi handed back the pole, with Amir casting the line swiftly after. Not even a second after the hook met the water, the line got tugged. Amir flew forward, with an incredible force lifting him off his feet. Bolato held on to him, trying to make sure he wouldn¡¯t fall off the ship.

    ¡°Whoa! Holy shit!¡± Bolato blurted out.

    ¡°God damn, I didn¡¯t think that it would be that good! Hold on!¡± Skaldi leapt and scrambled to grab Amir¡¯s fishing rod.

    ¡°~What is this crap? Fish drugs?!~¡± Amir wrenched the pole to his stomach where both Bolato and Skaldi gripped onto.

    ¡°Florato! Need some help! We got a big one!¡± Bolato yelled, laughing as he did. The three men squatted down, using the ground to stabilize their position. The steel string spiraled around, making an awful scraping noise.

    Without them paying attention, Vega climbed to the top of the rigging, stepping atop the flagpole. Running up from the lower deck, the actress stood there in awe, flabbergasted at the scene. Skaldi teeth clattered as purple grew on his forehead, Bolato¡¯s laughter increased in pitch maddeningly. And Amir¡¯s furious eyes burned lines of hate at her.

    ¡°~Help me reel this in!~¡± He commanded with passion. Wordlessly, Florato wrenched the reel as the rest of the men held the handle.

    ¡°Everyone pull!¡± Bolato screamed, this battle with the fish below ignited a fire in him. Skaldi¡¯s worried rested on his face.

    ¡°How the hell are you having fun?! It¡¯s like we¡¯re being ripped at the wrists with this thing!¡± The elf groaned out. The team groaned while balancing their center to ensure the pole wouldn¡¯t be yanked into the sea. On occasion they¡¯d all be pulled forward, with their feet scratching the floor and nearly being dragged off the boat.

    Vega high above them saw the Thakian Sea in all of its mystery. Fog grew like smoke from a forest fire. Grinning ear to ear and preparing to jump, Vega felt something. A texture in her hands she could only describe  as close to determination.

    ¡°This is my moment.¡±

    The scarecrow dove in the lake.

    Each person¡¯s jaw fell with their eyes widened both in shock and awe.

    ¡°Is¡­ she gonna be okay?¡± Florato asked with her heart in her mouth.

    ¡°No-no.¡± Kaliba answered, soaring just where Vega had disappeared. The fishing line moved for a bit more, stuttering and jumping.

    Amir loosened his hands a bit, relaxing his posture and standing up. Everyone else¡¯s expression stiffened like dried paint, however Amir loosened himself.

    ¡°~Huh.~¡±

    This was a new feeling.

    Bubbles popped out of the waves, along with a strand of hay. Splashing back into the air, Vega¡¯s hand wiggled and gave a thumbs up. The soldier climbed over and scaled down the ship¡¯s ladder. Reaching to the hand, Bolato heaved Vega where her head was visible. It had been quite awhile since Bolato had been this excited. Not even the roaring crowds of the Concert of Combat got this much energy out of him.

    ¡°We got-got a cool thing!¡± Soaked in greenish residue, Vega smiled up. Bolato put his hand over the shoulder of the scarecrow.

    ¡°Ho-whee!¡± The soldier yelped out, sending Skaldi¡¯s ears in brief shock. Even when he was being incredibly goofy, Skaldi couldn¡¯t help but catch Bolato''s joy. Florato squinted at Amir who could only offer a cough.

    ¡°At least it got the blood flowing.¡± She chuckled out.

    Both of them walked to the side of the ship, finally reeling the prize in.

    Skaldi breathed in, brushed his hair using his thumb. His calm returned. When he was fighting with them all, using all of his might and they all put their efforts together, he hadn¡¯t even noticed he wasn¡¯t seeing normal.

    He didn¡¯t wince at the bruises across his face whenever he talked or raised a brow. All of it went away.

    The struggle took away all suffering that didn¡¯t exist in that moment. Bolato did all of that, they did all of that.

    The scarecrow was there too I guess. He shook his head and squeezed his cheeks together, trying to forget that caveat.

    ¡°Whatever. Bolato, what did we get?¡± Skaldi hopped beside Amir. Throwing a heaping body over, Bolato plopped it before all of them. Smelling like fish, but with a mixture of perfume. Florato¡¯s hand covered her mouth, concerned at the catch.

    Amir¡¯s hand went to his pack, flipping through his journal, taking glances to confirm what he was seeing was actually happening. Skaldi¡¯s hands went to brush his hand, swiping beads of sweat every time. Vega and Bolato hands went into fists, shaking in excitement.

    ¡°~Ari, what are you guys screaming about? I¡¯m trying to go to¡­¡± Valiato opened her room¡¯s door, holding her toy pony. She stopped as she saw a being utterly terrifying to comprehend.

    ¡°What is that?¡± Valiato queried, with her face going a flushed purple. No one answered. Well, no one except Vega.

    ¡°It¡¯s a mermaid!¡±

    Valiato upon hearing her, fainted and face planted on the deck.

 Chapter 27: Mermaids Taken

    Chapter 27: Mermaids Taken

    Long ago, when the past was called the present, when there was no such thing as wheat, there were monsters. Not demons, but vicious creatures more violent than animals, more dangerous than disasters, and more treacherous than sentient beings.

    Of course, the mermaid was the baby-faced descendant of those monsters. Especially the one that was on their deck, flopping around because it couldn¡¯t breathe air.

    ¡°Oh fuck! Oh¡­ shit! What the fuck did we do?¡± Skaldi fell back, panting his head between his knees. Amir knelt by Valiato shaking her.

    ¡°~Wake up! This is no time for passing out!~¡± Amir urgently yelled, believing the mermaid to be the beginning of their demise.

    ¡°What¡¯s wrong? Why is everyone freaking out?¡± Florato asked, stepping closer to the flopping being. Vega poked its shaking body with the fishing pole. Kaliba landed on it¡¯s ear and chirped into it.

    ¡°That¡¯s a mermaid! No mortals are allowed to mess with them! Oh no!¡± Skaldi said into his legs, muffled and wet. Bolato lowered to his side and massaged his back, soothing him.

    ¡°Sweetie?¡±

    ¡°Yeah?¡± Skaldi sniffed, rubbing his sleeve on his nose.

    ¡°You¡¯re wrong, you¡¯re talking about sirens. And they¡¯re all dead.¡± Bolato assured. He¡¯s not wrong.

    ¡°Oh. Oh!¡± Skaldi¡¯s mood changed from existential fear to mild disgust. ¡°Well, what do we do now? Can we feed it to the centuries?¡± Skaldi poked as well. Vega with a look of discovery in her eyes suddenly got up and ran to the storage room. The mermaid thrashed on the ground, suffocating but everyone didn¡¯t know that.

    ¡°Huh. Maybe we caught a stupid one?¡± Florato started poking too.

    ¡°Maybe. But still, can centuries eat this thing? I read in a comic that they hunted monsters in prehistory, yet it didn¡¯t show that they hunted them for food or for sport.¡± Bolato laid on his side, joining everyone in poking the mermaid.

    Carrying a tub full of sloshing water, Vega placed it before the mermaid. Pushing everyone aside and Kaliba dunked it in. Heaving in the water, the mermaid clutched its gills around its neck and ribs.

    ¡°~Please don¡¯t sell me!~¡± He gurgled out, backing into the corner of the tub. His fin eyebrows raised, signaling his frightened state to the party. Bolato whistled to Amir, hoping he would have a translation. Amir flipped him off for even suggesting him help them while his daughter was passed out.

    ¡°Anyone know mermaidish?¡± Bolato asked with Florato and Skaldi shaking their heads. Skaldi enamored, shot a reassuring smile to the mermaid. His coral red scales glistened with the freshwater, with his hair flying high like it was still in water. He brushed water onto his gills breathing heavily. Cold clouds came from his mouth, which caught himself off guard since he was so used to bubbles.

    ¡°~Hello dude! I¡¯m Vega!~¡± The scarecrow spoke like her throat was full of water. All of them turned to her, with the mermaid waving slightly, confused that another person knew how to speak to him.

    ¡°Wait¡­ you know mermaid?¡± Skaldi leaned back, stunned that the scarecrow could even know such a thing.

    ¡°Well, technically it''s called Aquator.¡± Vega corrected, now hopping into the tub. ¡°Back in Cold Cavern, the Priest had a series of language courses that-that were mandatory in order to become a part of smart priests.¡± The scarecrow grabbed the hand of the mermaid and used it to brush her head.

    ¡°Un-unlike the other curriculums made, we could choose up to three subjects to focus on.¡± Vega¡¯s voice simmered, like a scholar teaching a friend in simple terms. ¡°This addition was mostly done so that the graduating class of priests could brag-brag about their brains or whatever. The Priest said something about being translators between Oligarchs and their vassals, but I wouldn¡¯t know about that.¡± Vega¡¯s bizarre voice came back, with Florato snickering at her unintentional insult to the Priest.

    ¡°Plenty of folk-folk choose Old Iozian or divine languages used to speak to specific spirits.¡± She closed her eyes, pointing her finger in the air.

    ¡°Wait, then what did you choose?¡± Skaldi asked.

    ¡°Draconic, Moon Runes, and Aquator! They¡¯re all pretty fun. Except Draconic, apparently ya have to set yourself on fire to speak it but I can write it pretty well.¡± Vega now was hugging the mermaid, who was smiling in embarrassment.

    My dear student, you might not know what Draconic is used for. It¡¯s meant for talking to dragons, otherwise known as the highest of spirits or devils. Like, the rarest of supernatural beings that only Oligarchs, the noblest of clergy, or the unlucky come into contact with.

    How the Priest managed to find a teacher for that blue moon of a language I have no fucking clue. But I assure you that he encouraged her to learn Draconic so she would set herself on fire¡­ It didn¡¯t work.

    ¡°~So, what¡¯s ya name-name cutie?~¡± Vega giggled, prompting the teenage mermaid to blush through his nose. She spoke platonically of course.

    ¡°~It¡¯s Ren! Ren¡­~¡± He was quite flustered. After being suffocated, poked, and hugged all within the past two minutes, Ren made himself small in the tub. Trying to come off as non threatening, Ren too smiled and shot a flash at his dagger like teeth to Skaldi would visibly hold back any fear and smiled as well.

    ¡°~What were ya saying about selling ya?~¡±

    ¡°~Yes! People have been invading the nearby islands and taking my people away, selling them! Don¡¯t do it to me!~¡± He shut his eyes, whimpering out his plea.

    ¡°~Don¡¯t worry! We¡¯re not gonna sell ya.~¡± Vega brushed Ren¡¯s face.

    ¡°~R-really?~¡± Ren looked relieved.

    ¡°~Yep. We¡¯re just gonna feed ya to our centuries is all!~¡± Vega gave him a thumbs up. Ren fainted as one does. Skaldi and Florato had no clue what the conversation or its beats.

    ¡°Did everything go alright?¡± Florato stood above the passed out Ren.

    ¡°Don¡¯t know-know. He didn¡¯t seem to agree on whether he¡¯d be okay with being eaten¡­¡±

    ¡°Huh. Who would have thought?¡± The actress shrugged.

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    ¡°False alarm guys! Turns out centuries can¡¯t eat mermaids.¡± Bolato read out from his comic. ¡°It¡¯s hard to tell but it seems like mermaids have venom in their system and that one bite of them could kill an elephant.¡±

    ¡°The fuck¡¯s an elephant?¡± Skaldi questioned.

    ¡°Like a boulder except it¡¯s alive.¡± Bolato closed his magazine, wiping off his built up sweat. ¡°Guess we still got to fish. Florato, you¡¯re with me. Skaldi and Vega, you take care of mister faints a lot. And Amir¡­¡± Bolato shifted his head side to side, with the Tripol looking more annoyed than usual. ¡°You do your thing. Let¡¯s get some actual fish.¡±

    Having spent the last ten minutes splashing water all over the mermaid, Vega continued his stuttered breathing. To be honest he was snoring out bubbles, much to the elf¡¯s amusement. Skaldi sat against a wooden beam, staring into a candle burning in the moving shadows of the room.

    ¡°What did he say?¡±

    ¡°What?¡±

    ¡°What did the guy say? I¡¯m no doctor, but I can tell that he was pretty worried. Well, if that worry is unrelated to what you told him.¡± Skaldi said, flipping a coin in his hands.

    ¡°His name-name is Ren. Bad guys were taking his people and selling them, and he didn¡¯t want to be sold.¡± Vega gleefully explained, smiling bright despite the subject.

    ¡°Huh. Imagine not wanting to be sold. Ha!¡± Skaldi caught the coin in his hand and picked himself off the floor. Taking out the jar, he applied Fishermen¡¯s tongue on his thumb. Closing his nose with his off hand, he rubbed the substance on Ren¡¯s lips.

    ¡°Here¡¯s hoping this-¡±

    The mermaid immediately chomped on the elf¡¯s thumb.

    ¡°Ow! Son of a bitch!¡± Skaldi blurted out, then punched Ren back into unconsciousness.

    ¡°Aw. We almost had it. Let me-me try.¡± Vega gestured to Skaldi for the jar, who threw it while sucking on his thumb. She repeated the process, with Ren biting onto Vega¡¯s steel hand. Skaldi rolled his eyes, annoyed by the scarecrow¡¯s abilities.

    ¡°Must be great not being able to feel pain, huh?¡± Skaldi raised an eyebrow.

    ¡°~Hello again!~¡± Vega told Ren while peeling his jaws off her arm. Ren¡¯s trace state ceased and he became calm.

    ¡°~...are you still feeding me to those bugs?~¡± Ren begged softly, hunching where he was hugging his knees. Well, where his knees would be if he was a humanoid. The war centuries resting atop a pile of hay hissed hoarsely, sending Ren into a panic.

    ¡°~Don¡¯t worry. Centuries don¡¯t like-like ya so nope. But¡­~¡± Vega stopped and began to whisper into the elf¡¯s ear. ¡°What are we supposed to do now? He-he doesn¡¯t really have a home but he also doesn¡¯t really help us¡­¡± The scarecrow told Skaldi, taking glances at the startled Ren.

    ¡°Okay. Shot in the dark, how about we see about those kidnappers?¡± Vega looked surprised at Skaldi¡¯s bravery, even though it was just considering the option.

    ¡°Wow¡­ that¡¯s like¡­ really nice of ya Skaldi.¡±

    ¡°Yeah, yeah, whatever.¡± Skaldi pushed away the scarecrow as he stood up. ¡°Ask him who was doing it. If it''s more than five people, then it''s a no go¡± He pointed to the mermaid who jumped back at the gesture.

    ¡°~How many kidnappers? Who is doing it?¡± Vega placed her hands behind her, mimicking the posture of the Priest.

    ¡°~ I don¡¯t know. It happened so fast. My people said that the boat came at night, a war galley. Maybe, ten, twenty men? I¡¯m sorry, I swam away until I tasted that stuff and your thumb.~¡± Ren apologized, trying to get any sympathy out of the two.

    ¡°Twenty guys on a warship-ship.¡± Vega reported.

    ¡°Hell no.¡±

    ¡°Come on! We have to save them.¡± The scarecrow pushed Ren¡¯s face in front of Skaldi, who sighed.

    ¡°Fine. But before we start talking to the team about it, ask how much he can pay us?¡± Skaldi said with a sardonic glare and grin.

    ¡°Why?¡± Vega raised an eyebrow.

    ¡°What do you mean why?!¡±

    ¡°We have like¡­ ten thousand gold. Do we really need more?¡± Vega shrugged her shoulders, appealing to Skaldi¡¯s sense of reason.

    ¡°Yeah we do. Split that up, it''s only two thousand or so.¡±

    ¡°What about me-me and Florato?¡±

    ¡°What about you and Florato? You both aren¡¯t criminals and you pay her wage.¡± Skaldi reminded the scarecrow, shaking her so that her chest full of coins would jingle around.

    ¡°Oh. Right-right. But still, I-I don¡¯t think-think the cutie has coins.¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m not talking money, I¡¯m talking¡­ magic stuff!¡± Skaldi waved his hands around, with Ren not having a clue what they were talking about.

    ¡°Magic stuff? But magic stuff ain¡¯t real Skaldi. Even ya should know that.¡± Vega held the shoulder of the elf, passing her chin on it so she¡¯d look up at him.

    ¡°How to put it¡­¡± Skaldi put a single finger to his lips, thinking up a way to explain the concept to her. ¡°Look, mermaids are the descendants of monsters, right? Therefore they would have stuff from monsters, that meaning¡­?¡± Skaldi tried to imply his thinking to her.

    ¡°That¡­ they have stuff from Recor?!¡± Vega rocketed up, amazed at the possibility.

    ¡°Yeah sure. Can you ask him now?¡± Skaldi ordered her.

    ¡°~Do ya have stuff to give us if we help ya?~¡± Vega bubbled a question to Ren, who took a glance back at the war centuries.

    ¡°~Yes! Absolutely we have¡­ stuff!~¡± Ren assured Vega, who cheered upon hearing the good news.

    ¡°They have Recor stuff! Let¡¯s tell the team! And bring the fish drugs!¡±

    Dark is the night, where the stars became droplets of milk in a black oil pool. Candlelight floated around the desk, with the party constructing a plan. For a battle that yet maybe won.

    ¡°I¡¯m not saying we don¡¯t help him. What I am saying is we help ourselves.¡± Florato was the only one standing up. Ren¡¯s sleepy eyes allowed her to express herself without censure. Vega didn¡¯t disagree because she was too busy hugging the sleeping mermaid.

    ¡°I understand that, but leaving him is like letting him suffocate.¡± The soldier sharpened his sword while he answered.

    ¡°Didn¡¯t you guys just do that today Bola?¡± Valiato shot back, studying her texts as per Amir¡¯s instructions.

    ¡°Hush Valiato. Anyway, we have an obligation to help his people.¡± Bolato put his sword back into its sheath, clicking it into place. He then placed his elbows on the desk and put his hands together. ¡°We dragged him on our boat, the least we can do is help him.¡±

    ¡°You guys didn¡¯t do that to the people back in Jinmai. All you guys did was give them some money and send them in a direction.¡± Florato spoke like a parent lecturing their kid¡¯s bias. Bolato kept calm compared to Skaldi, looking a little hurt.

    ¡°One, we did help them by making sure the city was safe. And two, Jinmai was something out of our control. People not having money is not an issue that we criminals can solve.¡±

    ¡°Technically we sometimes make it worse.¡± Skaldi joked.

    ¡°Sweetie, I¡¯m trying to make a point.¡±

    ¡°Sorry hubby.¡±

    ¡°It¡¯s okay. Again, Jinmai is a totally different animal. All we have to deal with is a single galley.¡± Florato''s head bowed down, she knew what was coming. ¡°Plus, it¡¯s not like you''re going to be the one fighting.¡± When Bolato said that, Florato felt a barb hit her heart. She hadn¡¯t really been helping them ever since Core Civitus.

    Not that she was unwelcome, Bolato and Amir liked her enough. It¡¯s just that an actress isn¡¯t much use to a gang of criminals, and she knew that from the beginning.

    ¡°Yeah. And last I remembered, all you did in the uprising was¡­ I don¡¯t know, hide inside the brothel as we took back the Assembly.¡± Skaldi happily tested Florato¡¯s insecurity. She gave no response.

    ¡°~Enough!~¡± Amir called out to Skaldi. He knew the tone of the word, so Skaldi reclined back in his chair.

    ¡°~Florato. This battle will deal with us men. But that doesn¡¯t mean it doesn¡¯t involve you.~¡± Amir rose slightly so he came to eye level with the actress, coughing as he did.

    ¡°~I do not know what the boy spoke of, but he shouldn¡¯t insult you. You are here and you are kind. That is enough.~¡± A scholarly voice came with Amir¡¯s speech to her, calming her but not completely ridding herself of insecurity.

    ¡°~Kid, can you tell them to create a plan? And make sure the soldier is the one making it, not the boy.~¡±

    ¡°Bola, Amir wants you to make the plan.¡± Valiato translated without moving her head from her studies.

    ¡°Got it. I¡¯ll get some paper. And Skaldi?¡±

    ¡°Yes Bolato?¡± Skaldi questioned, with Bolato taking a moment to look at his bandaged face. He wished to give Skaldi a lecture, encouraging him to be more kind to Florato. Despite this, Skaldi has made so much progress with protecting those that needed to be protected. Growing more disciplined and not as vile as he had been months before.

    Ultimately, Bolato chose to kiss Skaldi on the cheek as he mapped out a plan. A plan to free the mermaids.

 Chapter 28: The Emperorâ€™s Visit

    Chapter 28: The Emperor¡¯s Visit

    Truth is the hard to grow crop in the fields of life. Weeds and pests named rulers or cheats plague it. The very people who cultivate it can destroy it with their own ignorance and bias. Even who it survives till harvest, it might not even taste good. And yet, truth is the all enduring food that feeds the empty minds of the masses and makes them strong.

    Truth frightened Ani, and he liked that.

    The Tomb Fortress¡¯s ambient low droning hum had been replaced by the clattered walking off the soldiers. The war room stored more than scrolls and tools of war today. Officers from all corners of the empire marched about, commanding not soldiers, but artist. Today was a marvelous day. Today was when the Emperor would grace Ani¡¯s home.

    No one truly knows the Emperor but everyone knows his face. A person larger than death, a miracle of a man.

    The Emperor found a real taste for emotion. A collector of art from the lands he conquered, he loved the paintings and sculptures that depicted the extremes of emotion. Powerful and moving works brought him happiness.

    Ani in response, commissioned several craftsmen to construct a wall sculpture in his honor. Chistling the faces of downed Iozians, the craftsmen worked day and night to complete the work on time. Taking two months to complete, Ani had been so delighted with the result he paid the ten men who made enough money to create their own schools of art, which they promptly set up with the walls of the fortress. Hopefully their effort and his own would be enough, Ani thought.

    Even now, the war continued in these halls so far beyond the war zones in the Oligarchy. Ani and his Assassins stationed themselves in the war room while the slaves and servants put the last decorations in place. The screams and roars of hate could never be escaped, not for a day and not for a moment. For Ani, his body drowned in his sickness, but that wouldn¡¯t stop him from participating.

    In fact, Ani aided the war effort through alternative means. His plan was to speak with the Emperor then speak with two contacts deep in Iozia. But that was neither here nor there.

    A glowing gem was on his necklace. Insomniac green was the phrase Ani used to describe it. Every time he took a drag of air, it grew fainter and dimmer.

    Soul gems and the preservation of a soul is much like cooking. You can maneuver certain traits to make flavors, shift or remove organs to make a delicious dish.

    But it must be realized, you turned a living being into something that is consumed. None of its voice, mind, or body remains. Try as you might, you can only make something new, and not maintain the dead.

    An elder assassin carried a tray with fine wine and Ani¡¯s favorite food, lamb dumplings. He requested it, but the sorcerer couldn¡¯t muster up the bravery to do it in front of his men. Ani didn¡¯t feel empty enough to do it.

    ¡°Master Ani. Your food is finished. Please, eat.¡± The assassin asked, keeping firm eye contact on his lord.

    ¡°No. I¡¯m not hungry right now.¡± Ani coughed hard in his gauntlet, with the assassin backing away and covering his mouth. When he was finished coughing, the assassin returned to him. Ani¡¯s face stuck still, like a mountain meeting rain. The elder shifted his jaw and prepared a voice for Ani.

    ¡°Master, I beseech you. You¡¯re not doing well, you must eat.¡± Ani looking through the slits on his metal mask studied the face of the elder assassin. He didn¡¯t abuse his position or speak in an ill tone. He was kind, trying to help a friend take care of himself. Grabbing the edges of the tray, he broke apart a dumpling and inserted it into his helmet.

    The sorcerer remembered life before, how speedy he could be. Now, he could only chew bits and pieces of the food he so often refused.

    Ani knew that the assassin was quite sad upon viewing him, so he opened up his journal, full of stories and humor. He devised a joke to tell.

    ¡°Have I ever told you what happened to my son?¡± Ani beckoned with a hint of mystery.

    ¡°No Master. I never knew you had one¡±

    ¡°Ah. My son died a long time ago, before the Assassins were made.¡± The sorcerer sunk down in his chair, allowing the elder assassin to come closer. ¡°One day not unlike this one, he got hit by a speeding wagon.¡±

    ¡°Poor boy.¡± The elder stroked his beard like one would stroke a widow.

    ¡°That is not all. He woke up in the hospital and he ran all around, like a headless chicken.¡± Ani made the movement with his fingers, which brought the attention of the soldiers in the room. ¡°He stopped and saw the head doctor, and how horrible it all was.¡±

    Most of the soldiers felt pity, but the elder and middle aged assassin soon realized what was to follow.

    ¡°He said ¡®Doctor! Doctor! I can¡¯t feel my legs!¡¯ The doctor responded ¡®I know! I amputated your arms!¡±

    A roar of laughter released, the pressure of the story fading away. Having to push himself off his chair, Ani used his weakened might to stand up. The laughter gave him a bit more courage and enough energy to join them in the battle plans.

    Rudimentary, the soldiers built a mock replica of the Iozian city of Uvi Jantok. Ani guessed that having the men be the one to build and make the map and it¡¯s parts would better improve their mood as well as smooth out the rough edges of the plan. After all, the battle could involve their deaths and they would make sure that wouldn¡¯t happen.

    ¡°I am amazed, Master. It is not often we make war, we only commit it. Why do you have us lead it?¡± A young recruit asked.

    ¡°Ah. Too many clans only see you as a number to be traded. I don¡¯t deal in numbers or lines on a graph. I deal in people. Moreover, those Patriarchs forget that we are finite.¡± He said, grabbing a figurine off the replica map. ¡°There are only so many metals in the world. There are only so many trees to be grown. And there can only be so many tools. Breaking them is hardly an advantage.¡±

    ¡°I see. By employing us you make sure tools are used and stay alive to keep being used.¡±

    ¡°I couldn¡¯t have put it better myself.¡± Ani nodded and returned back to the replica.

    The soldiers laugh at the creation of their targets. The soldiers cut up ration boxes for walls. The soldiers snapped bark and shavings to form forests. The soldiers talk about the funny face an assassin drew on the edge of the map.

    The author''s content has been appropriated; report any instances of this story on Amazon.

    The soldiers took off rings and compared their size to the hills they made with paper mache, making sure they were accurate. The soldiers made conversation, learning that Roinaa¡¯s wife had given birth to twins. The soldiers break off crayons and smear blue to form the Yutai Basin. The soldiers cheer about the accomplishments of Isri¡¯s son, who became the slave officer of the Patriarch of the Wuqadue Clan.

    The soldiers don¡¯t think about the people in this makeshift model of a city. That right then and there they are living. Fathers sweat and sweat until the sun falls and go back to the farmhouses where their families live. Mothers hold their children, teaching them how to cook or show them the drawing a priest made when the two got married.

    The soldiers don¡¯t think about the walls of Uvi Jantok, not about the stones that made that same wall which came from a quarry ten miles away. The quarry that had been there ever since there was a name for Periatus. They don¡¯t think about how the men cut stones with axes and points, blasted water to cut them into exact shapes, and transported them to the city.

    The soldiers don¡¯t know what the walls mean to the people, the walls that always were in the life of a boy named Aurelato, the walls that he used to throw a ball against. Those walls outlived the scribe Din Cai, a worldly man that lived for seventy years, all in service to the Oligarchy.

    The soldiers don¡¯t think that in the walls of Uvi Jantok that there are two hundred thousand lives going on, running and walking about. They don¡¯t think as a soldier places down a rock to represent an aqueduct that people drink from that aqueduct, that the water brought nourishment to the people.

    For now, they are soldiers, giants over the models. These men are fathers and brothers who now wore armor and picked up spears and shields. That these same men will fight brutal, dirty, nasty, the only way to fight.

    That the people of Uvi Jantok don¡¯t have histories and lives worth living. The soldiers don¡¯t believe they exist.

    Ani did. Ani, in his tightened bowels buried underneath his armor, wished to scream. To scream with all the pain that his Clan went through when the disease burned them like dry wheat. He could choose to scream out ¡°Stop! These are people! All is well!¡± He could house all the people he onced loved that had crossed into the river of stars, just by saying that truth.

    Ani didn¡¯t. Ani thought about the people, and how in only a month that their lives would change. That his men from a world beyond them came, saw, and culled.

    Ani admitted a terrible thing to himself. That the Oligarchs, the Iozians, that his enemies, weren¡¯t like his men at all. That the Oligarchs spared even the smallest sympathy and effort for those they had believed to be wrong.

    He was scared that perhaps, the true reason the Tripolians continued to exist, was because the Iozians allowed them to. He was scared that he couldn¡¯t choose not to believe it.

    Ani took a bite into his dumpling. It didn¡¯t taste good anymore. He liked that. He liked that the Oligarchy was so pathetic, so weak that it felt necessary to fraternize with opponents. Ani smiled underneath his mask, a smile that no one could see. He smiled, because unlike the Oligarchy, he and his men would give them no quarter.

    ¡°Master Ani?¡± The middle aged assassin brought an end to his glee.

    ¡°Yes? What is it?¡±

    ¡°The Emperor is here.¡±

    A spell fell on the room, depriving all emotion. Soldiers all ceased and staring at their master, faces full of blankness. No happiness, no fear. Only neutral nothing.

    The sorcerer put down the tray, only managing to finish a single dumpling and take two gulps of wine. Ani wordlessly exited the room, and stepped to where he knew the Emperor was.

    Ani¡¯s breath contained no cough or sneeze. His body felt lighter, like he was a bird flying into a storm. Yet, the armor finally became heavy to him. Emblems and icons of a family that had long been dead were visible to him. The mosaics that he had made when he was a young child, when he wasn¡¯t the master of the war. He stopped by the windows, the same glass panes he looked through all his life.

    There was a field his eyes came to when he was daydreaming. A lonely field of tomatoes that no farmer in the fortress took care of, and yet it remained.

    Ani reached out to the overgrowing and untamed tomatoes. All other open patches of grass were claimed but not that field. When the plague came, the dying farmers couldn¡¯t maintain the fields and a famine took the fortress.

    But not those tomatoes. They lived though no one would support them. They were survivors. They survived when no one else did. And they grew, their vines creeping onto the walls like a serpent.

    Ani wondered for a moment, what it would be like to be that same tomato. Not a silly idea, he knew. He wouldn¡¯t know the disease, he wouldn¡¯t know so many men that would become corpses. All he could be was something to be grown and to be eaten.

    He liked that idea. A simpler existence, feeding people. Helping people.

    In fact, he quite likes helping people.

    A laugh came from him, how very ironic it was to compare himself to a food that feed when he created the plan to starve the Oligarchy.

    Further and further, closer and closer as he walked to the Emperor, his insecurities faded away. He felt young again, bouncing and motivated like all youth are. Ani couldn¡¯t think of any discovery that could shake him, not one unknown that would ruin his mood. That would ruin his perception of the world.

    He was a straight line in a crooked world, Ani believed.

    Ani believed, just like those tomatoes, that the Tripolians would survive the world and come to strangle the Oligarchy like barbed vines.

    ¡°Ani Arma.¡±

    It was him. The sorcerer straightened and wiped any oddity off himself. He pulled at the end of his gauntlets. He brushed the lips of his mask. Ani aligned his form to the statue of his father, right along the many others of the Patriarchs of his family.

    Before him, a tremendous miracle he knew as the Emperor came into sight. The now and future Emperor of all the Tripolians.

    ¡°Ani¡­ how long has it been?

    ¡°Long enough.¡±

    ¡°You speak the truth. How are the lungs? You look a lot bigger than usual.¡±

    ¡°Well enough sir. Well enough.¡±

    ¡°I suppose you¡¯re right. You¡¯re enough for me, and enough for the empire. Walk with me, will you?¡±

    ¡°I will.¡±

    ¡°Good. Not that I dislike your Snake Skins, but I think they have something against me. It¡¯s not like I killed them. Well, not all of them.¡±

    ¡°Haha. I suppose you are right sir.¡±

    ¡°Indeed. Tell me, how does the plan go?¡±

    ¡°Quite well. I have devised a brilliant plan and have added facete two as per your instructions.¡±

    ¡°Good. Relay the operation.¡±

    ¡°Operation Stomach Breaker. Main goal, burn Iozian fields of both crops to feed themselves. Secondary goal, steal and destroy enough Silphium to cause a population crisis within the Oligarchy, crippling their growth and starving their people.¡±

    ¡°And what will this accomplish?¡±

    ¡°Destroying their fields will cause mass famine, resulting in their armies being undersupplied and needing to be recovered. Destroying Siliphum will cause a baby boom, resulting in the death of many mothers, therefore reducing the population of Iozians.¡±

    ¡°Well done Ani! To be quite honest, I half expected you to chicken out, but no! What a terrible and clever plan!¡±

    ¡°Thank you sir.¡±

    ¡°No! Thank you!¡±

    ¡°... I don¡¯t understand¡­¡±

    ¡°What don¡¯t you understand? No one is as smart as you, Ani. No one is as bright as you. That is why you¡¯re my friend!¡±

    ¡°...friend, sir?¡±

    ¡°Yes! As in, my equal. No other rulers, no other clan, no other man comes as close in terms of usefulness in contrast to you, Ani.¡±

    ¡°...really?¡±

    ¡°Really. By the way¡­ you can call me by my actual name. If you wish, I would of course need your consent. Haha!¡±

    ¡°...I see¡­¡±

    ¡°...what¡¯s wrong my friend? ¡­There is no need to cry.¡±

    ¡°No¡­ it¡¯s just¡­ I didn¡¯t think I would ever hear that.¡±

    ¡°Aw, Ani Arma. I never expected such a killer to be one for emotions. I love it!¡±

    ¡°Hehe. I suppose that is something interesting about myself sir.¡±

    ¡°I suppose too.¡±

    ¡°...¡±

    ¡°Is¡­ all well, my friend?¡±

    ¡°Yes. Yes, all is well , sir.¡±

    ¡°Is there¡­ Anything you wish to tell me? Or show me?¡±

    ¡°No, your grace. All is well.¡±

    ¡°Understood. I will be taking my leave.¡±

    ¡°Yes sir.¡±

    ¡°...Ani?¡±

    ¡°Yes sir?¡±

    ¡°When I go away, don¡¯t go into the world as a jaded and cynical man. But as someone who valves life and cares in spite of the horror, without falling victim to the naive trust in others¡­ or in human nature.¡±

    ¡°...yes sir.¡±

    ¡°And Ani?¡±

    ¡°...Yes sir?¡±

    The Emperor laughed to himself, at the cruelty of the joke he was going to tell. He knew it would leave Ani in stitches.

    ¡° To kill for yourself is murder. To kill for your government is heroic. To kill for entertainment¡­ is harmless.¡±

 Chapter 29: Songs Unsung

    Chapter 29: Songs Unsung

    ¡°There are no magicians, not anymore.¡±

    That was the first line Skaldi read without making any mistakes. Early in the morning, the redhead combed through his stolen goods from Fort Jao and found a book. ¡®The Chronicles of Valentine¡¯ was everything an amazing comic book could be to Skaldi. Punk and yet cute. Packed full of pages with each drawn and colored in a fantastic art style, he knew it was a story unlike any other.

    He wished to share it with Bolato, but ended up being too fascinated with it. In his mind, that phrase stuck with him. That phrase made him forget about the brutal headache coming from his wound in his face.

    ¡°There are no magicians, not anymore.¡± Skaldi repeated the line to himself. He didn¡¯t know what it meant, but he believed it was important. He was right.

    Skaldi shifted his hips as if he were sitting in a chair. He learned to read from the prostitutes, he learned the technic of sounding out the letters then finding their meaning with context clues. He felt the presence of Ponteni, her soft and timid voice. Almost magical.

    My dear student, now I must tell you the truth, as heartbreaking as it really is.There were never really people who could command magic. That is the domain of the divine. In spirits and monsters. At best we mortals can use Soul Gems to make tiny miracles. Nothing more. Nothing less.

    Yet, these beliefs are important, even if they aren¡¯t true. Magic, in my opinion, is the art of the Soul made manifest.

    Can we make change with art?

    Can we make change with a question?

    If you say yes, then magic only, and I mean only, exists in the interactions one has. That is magic enough for me.

    And I know there are quite a few of you hoping that, say, a scarecrow might be capable of blowing up people with magic. Luckily for me and sadly for you, that isn¡¯t a possibility.

    But for Skaldi and the story, magic means more than simple explosions. It means power. It means might. It means the power to do what''s right.

    ¡°There are no magicians, not anymore. What does that mean?¡± Skaldi interrogated the comic. The dark hours of the morning couldn¡¯t shake his drive to find out. Steadily, the elf set out and explored the dynamic world of the comic book. Only the incoming rain motioned him to another room, with him heading down into the lower deck.

    Wooden and smelling of powderized salt, the lower deck included the storage of equipment and food. Candles held in cheap metal lamps swung everytime a big wave hit the ship. Brown and orange lights made the entrance and the doors visible, but everything else was in a dark purple shadow. Sitting down quickly so that he could continue his reading, Skaldi didn¡¯t notice the surprised Florato.

    ¡°Hey¡­ Skaldi?¡± Florato waved awkwardly.

    ¡°OH! What are you doing here?¡± Skaldi leaped back. She held out her guitar and a script for a song.

    ¡°I¡¯m teaching Vega how to play?¡±

    ¡°Yep, and she¡¯s doing good-good.¡± Vega learned from behind Florato, waving with joy.

    ¡°Right. Well, don¡¯t disturb me.¡± Skaldi said coldly, making sure that they both didn¡¯t see the comic book he was holding. Florato shrugged and returned to instructing Vega on how to play.

    ¡°Are ya sure that Ren will like the song?¡±

    ¡°Yeah. Everyone loves music, so I doubt he won¡¯t. Just remember to play it quietly, let him sleep.¡± Florato remained, pointing to Ren¡¯s calm resting position within the tub. Three awake, four asleep, all together in the Pinnace. For some reason, Skaldi¡¯s skin couldn¡¯t feel the frost of the air. The pictures, the words, the images. All of it was a fireplace for his aspirations.

    The one who stroked and nurtured this flame of story was Valentine. Skaldi delicately admired her, as one admires a hero. Bloodthirsty, yes, but a woman that cared.

    Now I have to tell you a most funny secret my dear student. What Skaldi does via the act of reading a story, is called untethering. Stories are the beliefs people give each other. Certain stories, much like beliefs, are the familial and societal artifacts we inherited and our descendants will inherit.

    My father sitting at my bedside when I was but a babe, shoveled into my mind stories of court. How one must navigate its politics and sail with the winds of persuasion. Believing that I would rule and was destined to preside over subjects. He was right.

    This story tied me to an image of myself. That which defined my life then and now. Tethering to a story, I had but one dimension to look at myself for a long time.

    Who was your first friend? When you put on your shoes tomorrow, how will it sound? The last time you took a drink of water, how did it feel on your tongue?

    To answer these questions you must unstick yourself from time. Your body might be standing or walking, but your mind untethers, like a bubble floating to whatever you''re imaging or remembering.

    Such mental voyages take the senses across time and space, and sometimes, if you¡¯re lucky, you¡¯re actually there. By imagining, you experience. By experiencing, you believe. By believing, you think you know.

    In its own academic way, untethering is a real magic. It allows us to anticipate mistakes we haven¡¯t made and navigate situations we¡¯ve never faced. How can I shoot the rabbit and skin it for dinner? When should I plant my crops? What do I do?

    You craft different worlds in those short moments and when that world comes to be, you¡¯re ready. Senses are the tools that create these worlds, and stories are the dirt.

    The more you take yourself across worlds, the better you understand what other people think and feel. You make distant others feel less distant and caring for them is less difficult.

    Skaldi hadn¡¯t been given the right to multiple stories. Kill the Iozians, protect the spirits, and Serve the Galtians. Untethering, breaking free, is Skaldi¡¯s funny and dumb magic. I shouldn¡¯t say that¡­ sorry.

    He glued himself to those fifteen pages of the five hundred page comic. Naturally, Skaldi¡¯s understanding of the Iozian script and alphabet wasn¡¯t too great. And yet the redhead didn¡¯t feel weak. He was trapped by the walls of the comic, he was climbing them. Faded pink paint on the pages colored a world full of outsiders. A world of people yet unknown. Power yet unleashed.

    Valentine was a criminal. Well, that is what she was to my knowledge. I really don¡¯t want to reduce Skaldi¡¯s changing perspective of the world into a trivial event, but I can¡¯t help it. Nor did the book. It was unapologetic about how the hero of the story was a criminal. A thief to be specific. It¡¯s abnormal to see such a story not hide this fact. Perhaps not to the student reading this from the future, but stories depicting criminals in an empathic light is a rarity.

    This truth couldn¡¯t bother Skaldi. Bolato had always looked at comics full of comedy and righteous Oligarchs and aristocrats. Yet, in the unmasked art of Valentine, there was a thief. There was someone who didn¡¯t play by the rules. There, in this comic, was Skaldi.

    ¡°Valentine¡­ she¡¯s kind of cool. I guess¡­¡± Skaldi spoke, with him saying it as realization rather than an opinion.

    Drawn to enlist a feminine shape, Valentine is made into a gorgeous person. Long flowing pink hair, teeth neat and clean, along with a lost fang that enlisted Skaldi to touch his own lost tooth.

    The vampire Valentine instead of relying on brute force used tricks and distractions to gain the edge in whatever combat she encountered. Her very introduction is with her mimicking the cry of a baby, making a shopkeeper forget to protect their merchandise. Parody of others is what gets her out of being caught.

    This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.

    Smoke and bursts of flame coming from her hands were her abilities when fighting. In reality, Valentine probably only used some smoke bombs and firecrackers or whatever.

    ¡°Maybe¡­¡± Skaldi thought he did have similar interest in herbs and how they can be used. If he were to create complex smoke bombs, he¡¯d have an advantage. Perhaps he could use it when they get to the Lai Bank.

    Sadly, that idea came to a quick end when¡­

    God damn it! There¡¯s no way of putting this in kind terms¡­ the artist seems to have really, and I mean really, emphasized the size of Valentine¡¯s boyfriend¡¯s¡­ parts. Like¡­ really big and way too much that it couldn¡¯t be pleasing to the senses.

    Did I forget to mention that the comic is part erotic? And I mean juvenile erotic, not the good stuff. Not only this, the artist also made her titties bigger than her head. This isn¡¯t justifiable just because it¡¯s in another art style. The person who drew this had an understandable but very gross obsession with the size of the meaty bits.

    Then again, it gave the elf a better understanding of anatomy.

    ¡°Wait¡­ girls don¡¯t have balls?!¡± Skaldi exclaimed.

    ¡°What?¡±

    Florato and Vega had a look of clear disapproval and confusion. Like¡­ really fucking confused.

    ¡°N-nothing. It¡¯s nothing¡­¡± Skaldi stuttered out, trying to return to those early and heartwarming pages.

    ¡°Right then¡­ Well Vega, you think you got the song down?¡± The actress questioned.

    ¡°Kinda? I got the rhythm down, but it''s not a song-song yet.¡±

    ¡°What do you mean?¡±

    ¡°A song without a voice is just noise.¡± Florato lowered her eyes in disappointment. ¡°Not that songs without lyrics aren¡¯t bad. It¡¯s just¡­ this song needs someone to sing it.¡±

    ¡°I understand. But we¡¯re only practicing playing the strings.¡±

    ¡°I know. I feel that the song is missing them. It¡¯s isn¡¯t complete. It isn¡¯t right-right.¡±

    ¡°Sorry Vega, I just don''t know how to sing.¡± The actress rubbed her head in mild embarrassment. ¡°Let¡¯s begin again, okay?¡± She squeezed the scarecrow¡¯s shoulder.

    ¡°Alright.¡± Vega''s eyes and brows lifted up before she put her hands on the guitar.

    Starting slow, Florato strummed three strings on the guitar followed by two gentle knocks on the body of it. Vega followed suit. Three strings. Two knocks. Three strings. Two knocks.

    ¡°Faster now.¡± Florato whispered. The three strings were plucked faster, from the third to the first. And the knocks deeper. Vega followed again, copying the actress¡¯s movements. Attitude and cool, that was the meaning of the song right now. WIthout out the lyrics, their playing was very uplifting, which made the soundtrack for Skaldi¡¯s reading.

    Soon enough, both the actress and the scarecrow¡¯s eyes were closed and no more instruction was needed. Vega, even though playing this song you had to be at least a novice, mastered it. Images and pictures roamed both their minds as their souls were unified in song. However, Vega was the one who manifested words.

    The scarecrow stood up and sung her heart out.

    ¡°ONE TWO THREE FOUR!¡± Vega rocketed up, startling Skaldi and Florato. For a moment, the actress fumbled her strings but quickly got back on track. Florato looked up at Vega.

    ¡°I do not breathe. I cannot feel!¡± Shuffling fast on her feet, Vega danced around, bouncing as she did.

    ¡°I do not care which one is real!¡± Spinning like leaves in the wind, Vega swirled. Florato recognized that singing voice before.

    ¡°Your will to live. Put to the test! What separates you from the rest.¡± The scarecrow opened one eye, giving a cheeky glance at Skaldi, who was both hyped and very much concerned.

    ¡°I¡¯m stronger now.¡± Vega closed her eyes again, completely engaged in playing and singing the song.

    ¡°You cannot win.¡± Her hay hair majestically bobbed up and down with each word she cried out. Vega¡¯s eyes shined like the moon, but they didn¡¯t project or become entranced by an unseen force. Vega was in complete control of her emotions.

    ¡°Against the evil that¡¯s within.¡± Her smile was that of a tender drawing that a child would make. Heartwarming and nostalgic of a more innocent time. For both the actress and elf.

    ¡°No blood to bleed. No bones to break. Now let¡¯s see HOW MUCH CAN YOU TAKE!¡± Frightening with its great pitch and beauty, Vega¡¯s voice raised to a pleasing and albeit irritating volume.

    ¡°There¡¯s nowhere to run. There¡¯s nowhere to hide!¡± Vega slid forward on her knees and stopped just in front of Skaldi.

    ¡°How do you KILL WHAT¡¯S NOT ALIVE?!¡± Skaldi gave an instinctive smile as pushed himself up against the wall.

    ¡°Born into godhood. Coming for you and I can never stop!¡±

    ¡°Stop!¡± Florato exclaimed.

    ¡°Okay.¡± Vega listened and ceased. Florato gently took away Vega¡¯s guitar and laid it in a case. The actress¡¯s mouth opened in an ¡®O¡¯ shape, with her eyes forced open. Skaldi''s eye looked up and down at Vega, taking all of her form in. When she completed her performance, he didn¡¯t feel the aching in his. Was this the idiot scarecrow he knew, Skaldi thought.

    A wet clapping was heard. Everyone turned to see Ren awake and in a pleasant mood.

    ¡°~Nice!~¡±

    ¡°What the fuck was that?¡± Florato bent forward and  laughed. She then raised Vega by her head and rubbed her face into her bag head. ¡°That was so good!¡±

    ¡°Eh. I wouldn¡¯t know.¡± Vega shrugged and snickered.

    ¡°Wait wait wait!¡± Florato''s face went back to neutral as her voice showed some kind of realization. ¡°You¡¯re the one that sung that song back in Xinyuai!¡±

    ¡°The lullaby?¡± Vega didn¡¯t know the significance of her singing to the actress after she fainted.

    ¡°Yes! That was you.¡± Florato cheered and squeezed Vega tight.

    ¡°Cool.¡±

    ¡°That¡¯s more than cool! Vega, you have talent!¡±

    ¡°Cool... What¡¯s talent?¡± The scarecrow had no education of the word.

    ¡°Like¡­ a gift! That you¡¯re good at something and can be amazing at it!¡±

    ¡°...so?¡±

    ¡°So?! Vega! You¡¯re¡­ awesome!¡± With that, the actress created a new feeling in Vega. Not like a sensation. Not a vague feeling of fear or anger. Precise and pinpoint. Florato and her friendship with Vega culminated a great thing for every sentient being to have. The scarecrow got a faintest feeling of pride.

    ¡°Cool-cool¡­ So do ya guys need help now?¡±

    ¡°Oh my gods!¡± Skaldi shook his head and closed his comic. ¡°Goddamn it. Here I thought she was actually intelligent.¡± The redhead walked over and shook Vega a little.

    ¡°~What¡¯s going on?~¡± Ren questioned, very much puzzled by their unhappiness and disappointment on their faces.

    ¡°Shut up Skaldi.¡± Florato''s eyes lowered, with her disappointed that Vega still didn¡¯t manifest any willpower. She always listens to commands and that¡¯s the problem. She can conflict with people, sure, but never disobeys her friends. Ones real and imaginary.

    ¡°I¡¯m glad that I have-have talent. I bet it feels warm.¡± Vega giggled as Florato¡¯s eyes sulked and her lips pressed together as she tried to ask a question.

    ¡°Vega¡­ you feel things¡­ right?¡±

    ¡°Well of course!¡±

    ¡°Then¡­ why aren¡¯t you responding the right way?¡±

    ¡°What do ya mean?¡± Vega''s smile didn¡¯t show any concern. She was only happy to be there.

    ¡°Well¡­With the way you responded, you kind of dismissed it. Like you didn¡¯t do that. YOU did that.¡± Florato pointed at her hands. The actress wanted to show Vega that she could be happy about more than just ¡®helping people¡¯. She could have esteem for herself and what she earned.

    ¡°I¡¯m not! It¡¯s just¡­¡± Vega started to piece together what Florato was trying to say. She knew the look from her eyes. ¡°I feel accomplished with¡­ people. And if I don¡¯t help people then¡­ it¡¯s not-not really enough. Being useful¡­ Do ya understand?¡± She knew that someone wanted her to have a life outside of others. For some reason, she didn¡¯t quite remember who gave the look.  Florato took in a long breath and put a hand on the shoulder of the scarecrow.

    ¡°Vega. You¡¯re more than enough.¡±

    ¡°...wow! Thanks Florato.¡± A real joy came out of that moment, with Vega giving off a smile that showed absolute authenticity.

    Skaldi felt a tad alone with the two engaging with one another, so he went to leave for the upper deck. Beforing taking the stairs up, he turned his head back at the two. They cared about each other, in that magical way friends do. Skaldi wished he could have some of that magic, for his friends and himself too.

    Bolato jumped out and landed onto the main deck, armored and sword in hand. Even with his weakened eyesight, Skaldi knew a terror was approaching.

    ¡°Everyone move! The Tripolians are on us!¡±

 Chapter 30: The Emperorâ€™s Hand

    Chapter 30: The Emperor¡¯s Hand

    If you were a better person, you wouldn¡¯t be here. This, my dear student, is a truth we rulers think to ourselves. That if life had gone another path, that we had the courage to do what was right, we would have been good.

    But in that landscape where memory keeps us all, that type of bravery never exists. Martialing the will to be the better can never exist there. That field of memory doesn¡¯t need to be remembered for it is never forgotten. We never forget our deeds.

    We rulers cannot and should not cheat. To take all the moral shortcuts, to scam and play those you love for fools. I did this. And that phrase keeps echoing in all of my organs. I cursed myself.

    Runtaii, unbeknownst to himself, cheated too. The force he commanded now resembled a Tripolian battalion rather than an army. Never had he expected the Oligarchs to put up such a unique fight. Instead of attacking directly, they had been sending hordes of archers and skirmishers to pepper them in arrows and spears for the past week.

    Even since he reached the border of Periatus, the air has always tasted bittersweet. On the one hand, the unconventional tactics of the Matigas Natao made getting a proper battle near impossible and made their approach slow to a crawl. On the other hand, the recruitment of bandits to accomplish the goals of Operation Stomach Breaker showed great success.

    ¡°Haliovid, while I press forward onto the Yutai Basin.¡± Runtaii muttered the words he told his marshall a month prior. ¡°We¡¯re going to split our forces. You will march to Haliovid.¡± He recalled the orders he gave months prior.

    Funnily enough, the main casualties that upset him were for his harem. Him spending so much time commanding and organizing their plans, he had forgotten about the needs of the women he took. A month ago he had twenty concubines, well fed and maintained. Now it was only three, all trying to make sure that he doesn¡¯t forget them.

    Diseases, death by childbirth, and again, very funny, starvation were the main sources of the doom.

    ¡°We have tried starving the Oligarchy. Sure, they''re hungry, but our armies aren¡¯t able to feed ourselves as well.¡± Runtaii dedicated as much time as necessary to following the Operation.

    Olive trees as old as himself were burned, docks used to fish were destroyed, and tobacco stolen so that their economy would falter.

    Despite this, the will of the Iozians didn¡¯t break. In fact, it appeared that it was growing stronger. Runtaii couldn¡¯t forget the eyes of a people united under suffering. And how fierce they were.

    A month ago his personal battalion was two thousand men strong. Today, on the thirteenth month and the thirteenth  day of the Iozian calendar, his forces numbered a thousand two hundred.

    ¡°Damn you Ani. Starvation is a problem we will have to face too.¡± Runtaii spoke into a closed fist. Any invading Tripolian armies in the future would have to deal with the lack of food to be taken from the land, and have to rely on networks of food transport all the way back home.

    Having to wait for wagon trains of food would further cease any offensive, as marching hungry is marching dangerous.

    ¡°A tool that is scrawny is a weak tool. Ain¡¯t that the truth, brick of iron.¡± Runtaii chuckled to himself. He squatted down onto the wooden dock, now gazing out to the Thakian Sea.

    His forces were resting beside the seaside town of Suksa, with the homes made of the hill overlooking the body of water. With them resting behind rocky doors and adobe walls, the winter air didn¡¯t feel as freezing cold. Sabere and the rest of the Assassins were resting in a nearby warehouse.

    Most of his men now were sleeping within the Arena of the settlement, with it having heating pipes that could be operated by the slaves.

    Runtaii couldn¡¯t care for whether out now the slaves would be exhausted by the day and night work, since felt a burning hate in his body.

    ¡°When is that bastard going to arrive with the message?¡± Runtaii didn¡¯t wish to wake up from sleep, so he made the choice to try to stay awake. An azure mist spread across the lake, swallowing any chance to see upcoming ships. The crescent moon looked like a droplet of milk in a bowl of murky water.

    ¡°Huh. When you take a moment to look at everything, it all seems so small.¡± He spoke out loud, sort of at ease by the land around him. But that didn¡¯t cease his bitter hate for his commander. He had followed every part of the Operation, and now Ani was going to send him additional requirements.

    Runtaii wasn¡¯t mad at the losses he took. No, he was mad that it wasn¡¯t glorious. Not a story to tell, not something charming to tell to his future children. An attrition by both arrow and stomach doesn¡¯t exactly bring excitement.

    But his eyes saw his prize, only a couple hundred miles away. The Yutai Basin. The city of Uvi Jantok. And of course, the Lai Bank. His raid would be the most infamous in all of Iozian history, Runtaii thought.

    He wondered what great prizes it would have. Gold beyond measure? Gemstones galore? Perhaps items and artifacts belonging to their pathetic religion? All of these options keep Runtaii¡¯s forces moving through, until they meet the docks.

    Luckily for him, Ani¡¯s tip about recruiting bandits to transport his troops was effective. Furthermore, he had begun to collect more personal rewards for himself. He didn¡¯t believe mermaids existed, but when the bandit crew of Iron Sails brought him the hand of one, he couldn¡¯t be more entranced.

    If Runtaii could give Iozia a compliment, it would be that their lands are beautiful in their own twisted way.

    ¡°Master! I have brought Ani¡¯s message!¡± A eunuch rushed to his side, kneeling before him.

    ¡°Understood, present it.¡± Runtaii ordered. The eunuch presented a fine wooden case, made out of a tree native to his home province. Runtaii appreciated the gestures Ani would take, but he loathed whatever messages he sent.

    ¡°Good. Your duties for the night are over. Get some rest.¡± Runtaii told, with the eunuch nodding and moving back to the Arena. Taking in a long breath through his nose and exhaling a fog of air from his mouth, Runtaii opened the case.

    A quartz crystal sitting on a bed of silk.

    ¡°What? He sends me a trinket instead of orders? It¡¯s not even shaped. Just raw crystal.¡± He expressed, annoyed that Ani had seemingly been playing a trick on him. He wasn¡¯t.

    ¡°Hello¡­¡± A voice came from the case, from the silk, and from the crystal.

    ¡°What?¡±

    ¡°I said hello¡­¡± Raging light bursted out of the stone, blinding Runtaii. Stumbling backward, he put his hands in front of him to block the light. This light transferred into a smoky flame with a moon white color. No heat came from it, in fact, everything around the case froze solid. Ice and snows spun around the flame, even more intense than the winters of Iozia.

    When the blizzard ceased, the voice continued.

    ¡°Runtaii? Are you there? I swear if this gem got captured.¡± The flame took on the form of his commander, Ani Arma.

    ¡°Ani?¡± Runtaii asked, amazed at his appearance.

    ¡°Ah. Good. We have many topics to discuss.¡±

    ¡°Yes we do! What the hell is this heresy?¡± Ani stood up and drew his blade at his waist.

    ¡°Calm down. This is only a recent development I¡¯ve achieved for us.¡± Ani put great emphasis that this achievement was his and his only.

    ¡°Explain¡­ this witchcraft.¡±

    ¡°Ah. You remember the process of making Snake Skins, correct?¡± The flame paced from side to side. Runtaii examined it for any defect, any fall. And he found none. This was unbelievable, only the divine could achieve this, Runtaii believed.

    ¡°Yes, yes I do. It creates a Soul Gem, yes?¡± Runtaii stroked his beard, trying to connect his limited knowledge of Ani¡¯s studies together.

    Support the creativity of authors by visiting the original site for this novel and more.

    ¡°Good. Glad someone remembers.¡± Ani chuckled, finally a person spared an interest in his work aside from the Emperor. ¡°I discovered the ritual of Gem Sacrifice from the Galtian elfs. Not the brightest bunch, but more than willing to aid me and the war effort. By the way, you wouldn¡¯t mind checking up on them?¡±

    ¡°Get to the point, brick of iron.¡±

    ¡°Ah, yes. Ever since the year started, I tested whether or not parts of sentient beings could produce Soul Gems.¡± Ani loved explaining the features of his exploits, and liked to display nuggets of knowledge to build up drama. Ani, if anything, was quite the gossiper.

    ¡°After running a series of tests, I learned that so long as it''s valuable enough, the loss and death of body parts can create them. So, Runtaii, guess what I did?¡±

    ¡°What?¡±

    ¡°I caught off the ears of a Snake Skin and placed it right besides its own Soul Gem. And now, we can speak through them.¡± Ani raised a fragmented piece of the quartz, now a thousand miles away.

    ¡°How? How did it create flames and snow?¡± Runtaii asked swiftly.

    ¡°A lot of our Snake Skins come from the Uikakkhan continent, and the people there practiced religions based on oral traditions and flame scrying. The Snake Skin of a priest that mastered that religion is capable of making such wonders!¡±

    ¡°I see. Quite the marvel.¡±

    ¡°Of course it is! For years, our stock pile of Soul Gems has grown massive but useless. Until now! Not only can we produce them, we can give them properties. This is only the beginning, the beginning of a new era in history.¡±

    ¡°That is¡­ good. How many do we have?¡± Runtaii questioned, knowing a vast amount could end the war.

    ¡°Eleven.¡± Ani told with a pride in his voice. Runtaii¡¯s expression showed a degree of disappointment.

    A disappointment that Ani only saw from his late father.

    ¡°Is that all you can really do? Runtaii asked, with a weak innocence in his voice. The mighty Ani, the sorcerer that updated the empire. And the number eleven. Never had Runtaii thought that Ani and elven would be in a related sentence. A million is more fitting for a man of his quality. Eleven was uninspiring. Unexciting. A failure from a man as mysterious as he.

    ¡°What? What!¡± Ani yelled with a sickened fury, with the crystal flame growing larger and colder, sending Runtaii backward.

    ¡°What you don¡¯t understand is the potential of this! Look at us! We are Emperor knows how many miles apart, and yet we are capable of speaking together. Imagine the possibilities! Imagine the maneuvers we could pull off! Don¡¯t underestimate the power in a few of these. Use your damn brain, Runtaii.¡±

    ¡°Calm yourself, brick of iron. I meant no insult.¡± Runtaii put out his arms in a friendly position, signaling his truthful response. The flame calmed, and Ani simmered.

    ¡°Ah. Of course I shouldn¡¯t get mad at you. You know little.¡±

    ¡°Indeed. It is a power to be considered. Tell me, who else knows about this and how to make it?¡± Stroking his beard, Runtaii tried to get the conversation back on track.

    ¡°No one else besides you and I. I plan to send the Emperor two next week on his birthday. But the recipe¡­¡± Ani walked forward until his metal mask reached Runtaii¡¯s face.

    ¡°What is it?¡±

    ¡°I am sending a copy to you.¡± This reveal brought a subtle happiness to him. Finally, he recognized his right to know Ani¡¯s arcane intellect. But, a thought disturbed his mood.

    ¡°Well, why isn¡¯t it here now? Why couldn¡¯t you have sent the recipe along with the gem here?¡±

    ¡°Ah. The recipe¡¯s ingredients don¡¯t exist in Iozia, so it would be useless. Though I considered it, I felt it would be unsafe to transport it by land.¡±

    ¡°Why, what happened? Did Galataii defeat the Twenty Seventh legion?¡± Runtaii asked, concerned for her.

    ¡°She did, but a couple Oligarchs began their war season early in order to prevent our invasion. I hoped that they wouldn¡¯t start until next year, but I suppose that¡¯s what we¡¯re going to have to work with.¡±

    ¡°I see. So you couldn¡¯t transport it by land.¡±

    ¡°Yes. But don¡¯t fret,¡± Ani pulled out a map and presented it to him. It was a Tripolian copy of the Thakian Sea. ¡°Clan Utiamir managed to make an opening in the Iozian fleet. While we could only send an escort of three ships, they should be arriving in a day''s time.¡± Ani placed a frozen flame hand on the shoulder of Runtaii, causing him to shiver.

    ¡°I see. Where will they be landing?¡±

    ¡°Tuivi¡¯s Rest. Underneath the silk is a document for the crew that will pick it up, write the ship¡¯s name and give it to them. I have already written instructions.¡± Ani twisted his head to the side, giving Runtaii room to warm up again. ¡°Positive that you¡¯ll be able to recover it?¡±

    ¡°Absolutely.¡±

    ¡°Good. So now we can-¡± Ani¡¯s voice ceased, as if he came into a great realization.

    ¡°Runtaii, did I tell you about my secret contact? I¡¯m supposed to speak with them soon.¡±

    ¡°Yes and how I was not to interfere with them?¡±

    ¡°Ah, wonderful. Glad someone listens to me.¡± Ani stood high on his toes, as if admiring the whole plan from the sky.

    ¡°Good, then we can discuss your orders and plan for Uvi Jantok.¡± Ani lectured. ¡°The battle plans are also being transported on the three ships. Can¡¯t risk it being found on land. With twenty of my slave officers, eight hundred men, as well as some battle maps are on the largest galley, so I doubt you¡¯ll miss it.¡±

    ¡°And what about the Lai Bank?¡±

    ¡°Hmm?¡± Ani turned his back on Runtaii, now looking off into the Thakian Sea.

    ¡°The Lai Bank. Are you able to summarize my orders for it?¡±

    ¡°Ah. Yes.¡± Ani¡¯s thin slits for eyes narrowed into edges, cutting Runtaii¡¯s confidence.

    ¡°You¡¯re not allowed to raid it.¡±

    With those words, Ani single handedly changed the war¡¯s future, and Runtaii¡¯s life. Forever.

    ¡°What?¡±

    ¡°You¡¯re not allowed to raid it for its valuables. The Emperor has ordered its destruction and its destruction only.¡± The flame that Ani spoke through didn¡¯t turn to speak to the distraught son of Clan Galabag.

    ¡°For what reason? This is out of character for the Emperor!¡± Runtaii was right.

    ¡°You raiding its contents isn¡¯t included in the plan. The Assassins will take down the Oligarchs partying, you will burn the city and destroy all of its fields. The bank isn¡¯t a part of this plan, whatsoever.¡±

    ¡°That doesn¡¯t explain a damn thing! I¡¯ve spent the past month freezing and marching my men. Not soldiers, men! We fight for glory, not in service of a dull operation! Why can¡¯t I lay claim to my right to glory?¡±

    ¡°Because I said so.¡± Ani admitted the whole truth. Both of them were silent for a moment. Runtaii in a bitter one, and Ani in a proud one. The sorcerer knew how much power he had being Runtaii¡¯s only contact and he wanted him to know that.

    ¡°The Lai Bank is a jewel to the Oligarchy. Holding the gold stash of twenty Oligarchs, all within its black stone walls. Ah, but do you know what that could mean for you?¡± Ani waved him forward, with a cruel glare at his upset face.

    ¡°What are you implying?¡±

    ¡°It would mean forgetting your purpose. You are a charming young lad. I won¡¯t lie to you. But when it comes to your Clan Galabag, they haven¡¯t earned a single copper all their lives.¡± Ani hissed out. ¡°You haven''t earned it either.¡±

    ¡°You¡¯re telling me, that all that gold in that bank has no benefit to the empire?¡± Runtaii roared at Ani.

    ¡°Yes.¡± Ani said with sincerity, which confused Runtaii further. ¡°You understand why I haven¡¯t told all the Clans of this messaging system I created? Because it would destroy the whole empire for nothing. Conspiracies form behind hidden places, men organize armies behind our backs, and we lose everything. That is why I have given you one crystal and the Emperor gets two.¡±

    ¡°But all that gold! All of that could-¡±

    ¡°Plunge our economy into chaos.¡± Ani cut off Runtaii, with a flare of cold cruelty silencing him. ¡°That amount of money destroys any concept of rarity and scarcity. If everyone in your Clan had gold, it becomes worthless within the day.¡±

    ¡°...so that¡¯s your reason. Because I haven¡¯t earned it and it disturbs the balance you make ?¡± Runatii sarcastically asked.

    ¡°No. You have forgotten why I chose you in the first place.¡± A look of utter fear rose on Runtaii''s face, along with a storm of hail rupturing from the crystal.

    ¡°I chose you because I know you will follow orders to the mark. When I tell you to march, you march. When I tell you to fight, you fight! When I tell you to die for me, then you will certainly die!¡±

    The blizzard of the flame enveloped Runtaii, stunning him and sending him to the ground. When the blizzard ceased, ice and frost coated his form.

    ¡°You are only a tool with no will of your own. Do I make myself clear?¡±

    ¡°...yes¡­¡±

    ¡°Good. I expect total annihilation of Uvi Jantok. When you are finished, meet up with the forces at Haliovid. I hear that they¡¯re struggling to siege the city down.¡± Ani stared down at the shocked Runtaii.

    ¡°The attack will commence on the first month and twentieth day of the Iozian calendar.¡± Ani reminded. Runtaii didn¡¯t speak.

    ¡°You are only here because I needed a tool that could break things. Nothing more. Nothing less.¡± And with that reminder, the frozen flame ceased and Ani was no longer able to be seen.

    Using his remaining might, Runtaii pushed himself off the dock floor. Coughing up the ice in his throat, Runtaii¡¯s bitter hatred heated him like no other fire could.

    Ani believed that Runtaii would follow his orders.

    ¡°No. No matter how fragile I am, I have a right to that gold! To your magic! I¡¯m not going to hurt myself for others. Not for anyone. Not anymore!¡±

 Chapter 31: Titanic Tension

    Chapter 31: Titanic Tension

    For the party, it is the thirteenth day of the thirteenth month. The pressure has begun to mount.

    ¡°Everyone, equip weapons and armor! We prepared for this!¡± Bolato ordered, with everyone scrambling around the room.

    ¡°Florato! Here¡¯s the dagger.¡± Skaldi tossed the jar of the substance to the actress, who caught it with her forearms. Her forehead wrinkled a little bit but she shook her head and continued. Florato went upstairs and put on an outfit befitting her new role. Amir and Valiato soon came into the deck, the two groggy but intent on doing their part.

    Skaldi grabbed blankets while Bolato carried crates and put them in front of the centuries. Skaldi put a finger to his lips and shushed the mermaid. He then threw the blanket over top of him, concealing him. Giving a thumbs up to Bolato, Skaldi jumped up the stairs. A dull quake struck his head, making him stumble on the way out.

    ¡°Damn it.¡± Skaldi cursed. He massaged his wound with his thumb and continued until he got to the side of the ship. Vega soon followed.

    ¡°Ya ready?¡±

    ¡°Ready as I¡¯ll ever be. Let¡¯s go.¡± The redhead and scarecrow climbed over the side and clung to the ship¡¯s rigging. From there, they could see the outline of the galley.

    The Barbed Lass, similar to its name, was a modest war vessel. Lacquered red planks and copper nails burned in the midnight sea, making its image resemble a dying fire. Oars were spoons dipped into the sea and an ram reinforced with the shells of centuries. Atop it was a corvus, the boarding device so many Iozian ships have since antiquity.

    Bright turquoise colored sails and a crew of twenty, Skaldi and Vega knew it would be a threatening mission to disable it. For now, all they could was hope that Florato was as good an actor as she claimed to be.

    ¡°~Are you ready Florato?~¡± Amir prompted, putting the last pieces of the plan together.

    ¡°~Ready. I think¡­~¡± Florato conceded, making a vain attempt to summon some extra courage. Amir patted on her shoulder as he hid his scarred eye.

    The side of the galley was ten feet above the Pinnace, along with two well armored Tripolians. From what the three could see, their eyes were unused to being open so late. Florato also saw that the rowers started to get up, most heaving in air and yawning.

    ¡°~Praise the Emperor. How is your night?~¡± The officer in orange trousers greeted them warmly. Valiato and Florato waved gingerly, for the teen had never heard the Tripolian accent aside from Amir, and Florato because the garment covered all parts of her except her face. Additionally, the green makeup on her face irradiated her nose, prompting her to sneeze. Amir bent forward, gesturing for the two to come down.

    ¡°~Praise the Emperor. Good sir. What brings you to the Thakian Sea?~¡± Amir groggily spoke, his eyes begging to return to rest.

    ¡°~Orders of the Patriarch Ani Arma. And under the command of Galataii son Runtaii. What about you, good sir? You and your family seem to be doing good for yourself.¡± Both of the officers climbed down the ship''s rigging and landed onto the main deck of the Pinnace. As Florato went for her dagger, three more soldiers arrived on top of the Barbed Lass. She put her hand back to her hip, as beads of sweat formed on her skin.

    ¡°~Well, I am glad to see more fellow Tripolians.~¡± Amir lied as easily as he breathed. Technically he doesn¡¯t breathe that well¡­ you get what I mean!

    ¡°~Same here. If you wouldn¡¯t mind, do you have fruit? Some of our men have come down with a sickness.~¡±

    ¡°~What type?~¡± Amir immediately pulled out his journal, not realizing what he had done.

    ¡°~Oh. Uh¡­ some kind of bleeding gums type of thing? Are you a doctor?~¡± The officer asked while scratching his head. Florato nudged Amir to stop what he was doing but he didn¡¯t seem to notice.

    ¡°~We all have to be in times like this.~¡± Amir snickered.

    ¡°~Ain¡¯t that the truth!~¡± The officer and his fellow men laughed a little bit, easing Florato¡¯s heart.

    ¡°~Bleeding gums. Must be scurvy. You¡¯re lucky you got here. Come with me.~¡± Amir waved the officer over, and awkwardly shuffled over to him. Again, the size difference between Amir and the officer was almost comical. Soon the two walked into the lower deck as the two girls were left alone.

    The second officer, wearing more silver than any other protective metal, eyed the two up and down. He was far younger than the first, about the age a man gets a complete beard. Florato went to sit with Valiato on the steps to the ship wheel.

    ¡°~Lady, how have you been with your husband?~¡±

    ¡°~Ten years, give or take.~¡± Florato¡¯s acting came in handy when making accents on the fly, as she showed no signs of being Iozian. Valiato gave a thumbs up to her quickly enough so that the Tripolians wouldn¡¯t notice.

    ¡°~Ten years? And she is?~¡± The officer pointed to Valiato, who stood out as she had peach skin compared to Florato¡¯s caramel and Amir¡¯s red adobe.

    ¡°~Fourteen sir!~¡± Valiato answered the question herself, and with a kiddy smile. That gave Florato and the Officer some pause.

    ¡°~Hmm. Apologies miss, but is she your daughter?~¡± The officer came closer, spear in his fist grip. Florato opened her mouth to speak, but took a moment to look at Valiato. Her eyes full of brown energy gazed up at her. She had only known this kid for only a couple months, but she had grown a great fondness for her. Was she really going to confirm it, even if for an act?

    ¡°~Yes. Yes, she is my daughter.~¡± Florato improv¡¯s skills fired, as she crafted a story for the circumstance. Her brow lifted high, as if her character told this story far too many times for their patience. ¡°~I understand, the skin and hair aren¡¯t quite the same. It is a shame, but my husband is infertile.~¡±

    ¡°~Wow.~¡± The officer and the soldiers shifted in their feet, embarrassed that they had seemingly pressed too far into another¡¯s life. Florato sighed in relief, glad that the Tripolians bought her act. ¡°~Wow! I am so sorry lady, I didn¡¯t mean to-~¡±

    ¡°~Fine. It¡¯s fine sir. You meant no harm by it.~¡±

    ¡°~Plus, it is pretty funny sometimes to say that I¡¯m an orphan.~¡± Valiato added onto the soldiers'' guilt with most of them groaning in regret.

    ¡°~Shoot! Really? Damn! Dearest apologies, you ladies¡­~¡± The officer bowed, showing that truly regretted his question. Valiato leaned onto Florato¡¯s shoulder and the actress scratched the head of the teen, causing her to giggle.

    ¡°~Accepted. Now, what are the other reasons why you are here?~¡± Florato understood that she could gain critical information as a result of the officer¡¯s guilt.

    ¡°~Yes! Uh¡­ well we¡¯re here to collect mermaids. We¡¯ve been working with some Iozian bandits for the last couple of months. They aren¡¯t smart, but they¡¯re useful tools.~¡±

    ¡°~Indeed.~¡± Valiato chuckled, as she recorded the conversation in her mind. None of the soldiers urged him to stop, as from their view the family of three wouldn¡¯t intervene in Tripolian interests.

    ¡°~Master Runtaii is paying quite the price for mermaid parts. A thousand coins for hands, Five thousand for heads. Ten thousands for live ones, you know.~¡±

    ¡°~Mermaids? I thought they were a myth in these parts.~¡± Florato¡¯s spoke in a way that prompted the officer to tell more details.

    ¡°~That¡¯s what we thought too. Supposedly most are hiding in the deep, but we managed to score a whole school. They¡¯re in our bottom most deck actually.~¡± The hair of the elf and the scarecrow were visible to Florato.

    ¡°~Aside from mermaids, we¡¯re planning to meet up with some of our men at Tuivi¡¯s Rest. You¡¯ve been there, yes?~¡± Skaldi and Vega, hidden by the morning dark, climbed on the Barbed Lass.

    ¡°~Y-yes. Yes I have. About, half a day from here?~¡± Florato knew she was a sentence away from hearing key secrets.

    ¡°~Quite. And don¡¯t tell anyone you heard this but-~¡±

    ¡°~Alright men! We¡¯re ready to head out!~¡± Both Amir and the first officer stepped out from the storage deck. Florato¡¯s eyes widened, knowing that the two still needed time to accomplish their plan.

    ¡°~Are you sure you don¡¯t want some tea while you''re here?~¡± Florato offered, with nervousness in her voice. Amir turned to her all confused. Florato pointed with her head and eyes to the two on the ship, which caused Amir to realize his role again.

    ¡°~Yes! Yes, would you like some tea on this frigid night?¡± Amir and Florato ran in front of the officers, stopping them from climbing back onto their ship.

    ¡°~Well, I wouldn¡¯t want to take up more of your time and you have already provided us with the fruit we so-~¡±

    ¡°~Hold on a minute. Something¡¯s not right about this¡­~¡± The second officer hushed the first, as his eyes narrowed on the two. Amir and Florato took glances at each other, wondering how to cease his suspicions.

    ¡°~What do you mean?~¡± Florato nervously laughed as she questioned.

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    ¡°~...Tall and old.~¡± The officer walked closer, as he set his target on Amir. The Tripol backed up to the side of the pinnace.

    ¡°~What?~¡± The first officer didn¡¯t understand what the second was getting at, along with the soldiers above them. With his back against the wall, Amir prepared to draw his dagger. But the officer quickly grabbed and lifted up his turban, seeing all of his face.

    ¡°~A left eye that is scarred...~¡± Amir pupils shook, understanding the implications of his approach.

    ¡°~Wears green makeup on his face¡­~¡± The huge Tripol coughed, sealing his fate.

    ¡°~And is an asthmatic¡­~¡± The officer stopped as he had confirmed his suspicions. Florato closed her eyes as Amir stanced up, ready to fight,

    ¡°~...You¡¯re Ari Amir. Everyone! Ari Amir is alive!~¡± As the officer revealed his findings, all the Tripolians cheered, half amazed and half grateful. All of them tossed away their weapons and swarmed Amir for a massive group hug!

    ¡°~...what?~¡± Florato was left dumbfounded, since she expected a fight, not a celebration.

    ¡°~Rejoice at all around us! Ari Amir has been found!~¡±

    ¡°Hey Skaldi?¡± Vega asked, looking down at the many soldiers cheering and carrying Amir high above them.

    ¡°Yes Vega?¡± The elf whispered, very much confused by what he was seeing.

    ¡°Do ya have any idea of what they¡¯re saying?¡±

    ¡°No clue.¡±

    ¡°Okay. Well, let¡¯s go do our job-job.¡± Vega responded, pulling on Skaldi¡¯s sleeve. Currently on the main deck were around two soldiers who stayed only to make sure the anchor was set and seemed to be too tired to join in the crowd on the Pinnace. One on the wheel, the other sitting beside the chain connecting the anchor to the ship.

    A single flickering candle that led into the lower decks was the only light near the two. Skaldi kneeled onto the ground and peered his head past the corner, gauging whether or not the soldiers would notice. The man on the wheel had his back turned to them and the man by the anchor had closed his eyes for the past minute.

    ¡°Go. Go.¡± Skaldi told, as the two speedily moved around the corner and got past the entrance into the lower deck.

    Descending the stairs, the two looked on the left and right corners to see what room this was. Two rows of hammocks on each side, with rowers and bandits in them, dozing off this night¡¯s work. All were fast asleep. Tables and chairs were nailed to the ground and holes for bowls were carved into the furniture.

    Most of the men were dressed with two belts at the waist while the Iozian sailor bandits wore bright dyed shirts and pants. Their eyes were shut tight, like a closed clam shell. Skaldi and Vega crouched along the floor, their steps silenced by the sloshing waves of the outside.

    On the other side of the room were stairs to the third deck. When Vega went to leave, she noticed Skaldi used this opportunity to loot the quarters. Purposely tied sacks on his chest and back, the redhead went to town on the positions of the crew.

    ¡°Trophy time!¡± Skaldi murmured to himself. Vega didn¡¯t want to disrupt his stealing, so scanned the third deck alone.

    With each step, Vega could feel the air of the sea get thinner and thinner here, along with the candles. Poles and walls held up this deck, with bundles full of supplies filled this room like fish in a barrel. Rope hung on walls, quivers packed full of arrows stacked onto shelves, and spear and bow slept together in weapon racks.

    ¡°Ohhh.¡± She whispered, recognising some of the alcohol stored in a net. ¡®Desert Mirage¡¯ was crudely written on the bottle, a poor translation of the alcohol¡¯s actual name. Vega had a small bit of knowledge of the brand from the book she read back in Core Civitus. Apparently, this alcohol was used to cure wounds and create fires.

    Also it could be drunk. So Vega took it.

    Salted fish and smoked meat formed the diet for the men on the Barbed Lass. Pickled vegetables were running low and a quarter of the storage space was empty.

    ¡°Huh. May-maybe the bad guys are saving space for a delivery. What fun.¡±

    ¡°What¡¯s fun?¡± Skaldi alerted Vega, as the jingle jangle of the items he pilfered signaled his presence.

    ¡°Nothing much. Why did you grab the stuff-stuff now? Aren¡¯t the dudes gonna hear us now.¡±

    ¡°They¡¯re gonna hear us eventually. That¡¯s part of the plan, remember?¡± Skaldi nudged Vega with her shoulder.

    ¡°Oh right. Well, let¡¯s keep on going-going.¡± Both could hear a lot of thrashing beneath them, as well as the splashing of water. Now going to the last most deck, the pair weren¡¯t ready for the work ahead of them.

    Scales, coral colors spread across the entire room, as well as nearly fifty mermaids crammed together, in a makeshift tub that had barely enough water for them.

    Skaldi felt horrible.

    Vega felt amazed.

    ¡°Hello! How is everybody doing?¡±

    All of the mermaids stared at the hay girl, both in disbelief and suspense. Also because they couldn¡¯t understand her.

    ¡°Right. Uhh. ~Hello! We¡¯re here to bust ya guys out. But please be quiet. Me and my friend need to talk for a moment. Please don¡¯t go anywhere!~¡± Vega turned around and put an arm around Skaldi¡¯s shoulder.

    ¡°How the fuck are we going to do this?¡± Vega said without a smile.

    ¡°No clue! I thought it was going to be five, maybe ten at most.¡±

    ¡°We need to get them out of there but we need to give them water so them won¡¯t-won¡¯t thrash around.¡± Vega glanced back, very much pleased by the sight, but not knowing how to complete it. Skaldi¡¯s hand went to his tool belt, grabbing the jar full of Fishermen¡¯s Tongue.

    ¡°You have your pickaxe on you?¡± Skaldi walked around Vega, trying to find it. Vega raised to his face causing him to fall back.

    ¡°Never go anywhere without it! Except the bathroom.¡±

    ¡°Okay. Think you can poke a hole in the ship quickly?¡± Skali picked himself up and pointed at the room¡¯s wall.

    ¡°No can do. Ships gets thicker at the bottom and swinging for that long will alert us.¡±

    ¡°How the hell do you know that?¡± Skaldi put his hands on his hips, half impressed.

    ¡°Lived in a coastal village for most of my life-life. Wouldn¡¯t have Bolato told you something like that?¡± Vega mimicked his stance, except for her left hand which held the pickaxe.

    ¡°He doesn¡¯t talk much about his time in the navy. We¡¯re getting off track! Can you break through the upper floor fast enough.¡± Skaldi clasped his hands together and pleaded with his voice. Vega rubbed her bandaged for a moment and her smile returned.

    ¡°Sure can.¡±

    ¡°Good! Now there still is a problem. How are we gonna transport all the mermaids to the hole in the wall?¡±

    ¡°Could you carry them?¡± Vega shrugged, of which Skaldi groaned.

    ¡°But I¡¯m too wea¡­ no. Let¡¯s do it.¡±

    ¡°Let¡¯s do it-it?¡±

    ¡°Let¡¯s do it!¡± Hyping each other up, the two raced off to storage room. The moment he found three pots dropped off his bags full of loot. He remembered months ago how he was barely strong enough to carry pots full of wine.

    ¡°Haha. Skaldi what have you gotten yourself into.¡± He said to his heart. Tying the pots on his back, he rushed back to the room full of mermaids. He laced the mouth of the pots with Fishermen¡¯s Tongue and poured enough water so that it would reach the necks of the mermaids.

    ¡°Come over here. Come on.¡± Skaldi spoke like he was speaking to a dog. Despite his attempt, plenty of the mermaids backed away from him, very much frightened by what he was doing. An adolescent mermaid saw his hand coming closer, decided it would be a great idea to bite him.

    ¡°Ouch! Stop it!¡± As the teeth snuck into him, Skaldi could feel his veins were being afflicted with a sense of lethargy and numbness. ¡°Shit. I forgot they had venom. Wait! Why aren¡¯t I dead already?¡± The elf¡¯s realization made him stop struggling, which calmed down the adolescent mermaid.

    It now knew that the hay girl and the redhead were trying to save them. Lifting his jaws from Skaldi''s hand, the adolescent spoke in a simple sorry tone.

    ¡°~Sorry mister. We¡¯re just scared.~¡± The elf put a hand on the mermaid¡¯s shoulder and looked like he was going to say a wise piece of advice.

    ¡°Kid. I have no fucking clue what you are saying. Just get in the fucking jar.¡± Skaldi said in an equally soft and apologetic tone. He moved the pot to the front of the mermaid face, which prompted the adolescent to shove its head into the pot of water. Skaldi took his shot to command the rest.

    ¡°See this?¡± He raised his jar of Fishermen¡¯s Tongue. ¡°Fish drugs.¡± Skaldi pantomimed that it would make them feel good so long as they put their heads into the pots. The mermaids glanced at each for a couple of moments and nodded in unison.

    ¡°Hey Skaldi!¡± Vega yelled from the top of the stairs. ¡°Everything good?¡±

    ¡°Well I got hurt again and people keep making my life harder¡­so just a normal day for me.¡±

    ¡°Man, that''s crazy! Anyways, I made the opening! Let¡¯s do this!¡± Vega hopped down onto the floor and swiftly picked the adolescent. Skaldi repeated the process, putting the substance and water together, with Vega bringing back the pots. Each time she picked up one, and each time she shoved a mermaid through the hole she made.

    Incredibly, no sailors woke up. In combination with being so fucking exhausted along with the crowd of soldiers cheering for Amir, their clattering about had gone unnoticed. For now¡­

    Only seventeen mermaids left to rescue, Vega moved and carried like a lion and remained remarkably motivated. Well, it would be hard for her to get tired since she has nothing to tire. However, Skaldi¡¯s insecurity crawled back into his mouth, like a prickly bile. Like a parasite burrowing in his tongue, his insecurity made his necessary work feel insignificant.

    ¡°I¡¯ll carry them.¡± Skaldi handed a pot to Vega, lifting it shakily with two hands.

    ¡°What do I do?¡±

    ¡°Put water and spread the substance on the front.¡± Skaldi cracked his neck and bounced on one foot. The few hairs on him rose high into goosebumps. He had to prove himself.

    ¡°Okie dokie!¡± Vega saluted and copied Skaldi¡¯s process of preparing the mermaids. Key differences being that she talked to them as she shoved their heads into the pots. The elf threw back his volcano curled hair and squatted down to pick up the mermaid. Underestimating his abilities, when he put the mermaid on his back he rose too fast and nearly tripped over.

    ¡°Holy shit!¡± Skaldi exclaimed with a bolt of energy. He ran up the stairs, with heavy stomps and thuds. Soon he realized that his entire body had already started to ache and his lungs were burning.

    ¡°Shit!¡± The redhead cursed to the ground, no longer maintaining stealth. He leaned onto the wall for support and managed to get to the hole in the ship. Turning the mermaid so that they would fall butt first into the sea, Skaldi slotted the mermaid into the hole. When they didn¡¯t immediately fall out, Skaldi took to kicking the shit out of the person he was saving. What courage and heroism!

    ¡°...enough¡­¡± Skaldi fell and felt like a downed animal, exhausted and every body part heavy. The elf believed when he checked his skin there would be bruises all over. His self directed anger transformed into disbelief, as the severity and amount of bruises from what he could see were miniscule.

    He checked himself again, and again. Same result. Same truth. He wasn¡¯t the same elf struggling to lift alcohol for his own gain. He was new, better, and maybe even a little stronger if he chose to believe it.

    Of course he was an absolute mess, but he was taking actions to clean himself up.

    ¡°...enough¡­ I¡¯m enough.¡± Skaldi hugged his chest and smiled a face full of scars. A facefull of hope and drive.

    ¡°Yeah¡­ I think¡­ we should both carry¡­¡± Skaldi shoveled stale air into his system and held himself by putting his hands on his knees.

    ¡°Ya sure?¡± Vega asked.

    ¡°...yes¡­¡±

    ¡°Ya really sure?¡± Kaliba asked just to fuck with him.

    ¡°Yes! Now let¡¯s do it!¡±

    The two made short work of the rest of the mermaids, with only one remaining. With a pot firmly on its head, the elf and scarecrow lifted the mermaid together simultaneously.

    ¡°See Skaldi? We can do anything so long as we work togethe-¡±

    ¡°Shut the fuck up.¡± Skaldi, although happy with himself, wasn¡¯t in the state of mind for happy good lucky messages.

    ¡°~Hello? Who¡¯s there?~¡±

    Skaldi and Vega¡¯s heads creaked to the steps towards the sleeping quarters, seeing a bronze armored man colored by the dark purple lights of a dying candle. With a yellow owl helmet, parts of both yellow feather and redAgain, they simultaneously dropped the mermaid on the ground as it thrashed along the floor.

    ¡°Don¡¯t move.¡± Vega said into Skaldi¡¯s ear.

    ¡°What?¡±

    ¡°Don¡¯t move. Their vision is based on movement.¡± Skaldi narrowed his eye and two fingers went to his belt of daggers. He hoped that Vega alone would be distracting enough for the soldier.

    ¡°~Wait a minute¡­~¡± Putting his right arm behind him, the soldier prepared to draw out his weapon.

    ¡°Ready Vega?¡± Skaldi spoke with a hint of cunning malice. Vega¡¯s brow raised, amazed by Skaldi¡¯s enthusiasm.

    ¡°Ready for anything.¡± Big toothy grins shined, giving the soldier clear sight. Clear targets. Clear victims.

    The scarecrow and elf wouldn¡¯t let that happen. Not without a fight.

    Three,

    Two,

    One,

    ¡°Go!¡±

 Chapter 32: The Ship Breaks (Part 1!)

    Chapter 32: The Ship Breaks (Part 1!)

    A combined effort can stop any evil force. Well, as long as the evil force is a little bitch.

    ¡°Go!¡± They yelled, starling the soldier, causing him to drop his sword to the ground. Vega rushed at him with her pickaxe, jumping high and swinging down. He stumbled backward as Vega¡¯s strike hit the wooden floor. She tried to wrench it out, but was struggling.

    ¡°You¡¯re kidding? Whatever. Take this!¡± Skaldi shouted, throwing three quick knives at the soldier. He picked up his sword and blocked the first two. However, the last struck his thigh. Falling onto his knee, he struggled to stand up.

    As Vega kept trying to pull the pickaxe, the soldier swung at her. She blocked it with her metal arm, sliding back from the impact.

    ¡°Don¡¯t worry Vega. Watch this!¡± Skaldi threw all of his knives, in a whirlwind of iron and edges. And all of the knives missed. In fact, they all hit Vega.

    ¡°...I¡¯m still watching!¡± Vega said with encouragement. The soldier pushed on his knee, finally standing up.

    ¡°~Son of a bitch!~¡± As he cursed, Skaldi hopped onto the soldier¡¯s back, grabbing him with his arms and legs.

    ¡°Sleepy time.¡± The elf pulled at his neck.

    ¡°What are ya doing?¡± Vega beckoned, very much confused.

    ¡°~What the fuck are you doing?~¡±

    ¡°Shut up. I¡¯m trying something.¡± Skaldi twisted at the neck of the soldier, but he wasn¡¯t budging.

    ¡°Wait¡­ are ya trying to choke him?¡±

    ¡°~Wait, he''s trying to choke me!~¡± The soldier said while laughing.

    ¡°Shut up you two!¡±

    ¡°~Haha! That¡¯s hilarious.~¡± The soldier didn¡¯t even seem inconvenienced by Skaldi¡¯s attempts.

    ¡°Don¡¯t worry, I¡¯m sure ya got this. I believe in ya.¡± Vega assured while pulling out Skaldi¡¯s throwing knives.

    ¡°~Is this real or is this a joke?~¡±

    ¡°Do ya-ya need help or-?¡±

    ¡°I got it!¡± Skaldi used his elbow this time.

    ¡°~Nope! He does not got it!~¡± The soldier swung his body against the wall, splating Skaldi against it. ¡°~He does not got it.~¡±

    ¡°Damn it¡­¡±

    ¡°~Haha. Alright, give up man.~¡± The soldier aimed his sword at Skaldi''s eye. The elf held his hands up, and his brows bent down.

    ¡°Okay. I could use a little help, scarecrow.¡± He turned his head to the left, trying to face Vega.

    ¡°Don¡¯t worry! I got this!¡± Vega heaved the mermaid into her arms and seemed like she was going to throw directly at the two before her.

    ¡°Wait!¡±

    ¡°~Wait wait wait!~¡± Both Skaldi and the soldier tried to negotiate with Vega¡¯s plan of attack. Skaldi because he didn¡¯t want to cause any undue harm. And the soldier because he didn¡¯t want to damage the cargo.

    ¡°Don¡¯t worry-worry Skaldi, I¡¯m perfectly equipped for this situation.¡± Vega responded quickly, as her feet wobbled on the floor.

    ¡°I don¡¯t think you are!¡±

    ¡°~Please don¡¯t damage the cargo. I¡¯ve been saving up for buying a slave, like, at a really good price!~¡±

    ¡°I think I am!¡± The scarecrow yelled as she swung the mermaid at the two, flying through the air. The redhead dove to the ground, narrowly missing a collision with the very much confused mermaid.

    This book was originally published on Royal Road. Check it out there for the real experience.

    Did I say the mermaid was conscious and aware the whole time?

    Because it was.

    The tail of the mermaid struck at the belly of the soldier, causing him to yelp out a sort of honking.

    ¡°~Hounk!~¡± Yeah like that.

    ¡°Touchdown!¡± Vega congratulated herself. The soldier rose up, carrying his stomach in his arms.

    ¡°~Hmph. You¡¯ll pay for that!~¡±

    ¡°Whatever balta guitin ous is, we don¡¯t know what the fuck it means!¡± Skaldi screamed while sprinting at the soldier, tackling him again into the ground. Grabbing one of his arms, Skaldi used his off hand to punch the face of the soldier.

    Crunch!

    ¡°Ouch! Ouch! Ouch ouch¡­¡± Skaldi punch managed to deal himself damage. Because¡­ the soldier was wearing a helmet.

    ¡°Hold on! Let me try.¡± Vega scooted beside Skaldi, who was still massaging his knuckles.

    Crunch!

    ¡°Oh, that¡¯s not-not good.¡± The scarecrow¡¯s punch shattered her left hand. She was fine, in a good mood actually, but the soldier didn¡¯t seem to get closer to being knocked out.

    ¡°~I don¡¯t get paid enough to deal with this.~¡± The soldier tried to push the two off, but the two just ended up curb stomping him into being unconscious. A lot less heroic takedown, but a takedown regardless.

    Skaldi breathed hard and fast. Vega finished the rescue using her remaining hand. The elf, surrounded by a pool of his own sweat, wiped his eye with the back of his palm.

    ¡°...I¡¯m starting to think-think we should train¡­¡±

    ¡°You think?¡± Skaldi chuckled out. ¡°Hell, if the other guys got here, we would have been finished.¡±

    ¡°Sorry.¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m sorry too.¡± Skaldi instinctually replied, sort of amazed by his quick reaction. He chose his next words carefully. ¡°I got problems. You got problems. But that doesn¡¯t mean they can¡¯t be fixed.¡± He finished and sucked air through gritted teeth.

    ¡°Speaking of problems, how are we-we gonna get out?¡±

    ¡°What?¡± Skaldi didn¡¯t quite hear what Vega had said.

    ¡°It¡¯s nothing. I think I got something¡­¡± The scarecrow muttered to herself, looking at the soldier¡¯s outfit¡­

    After much carsouling, singing, and retelling the tales of the great Amir, that very same Amir wanted to go to sleep and never wake up.

    Florato and Valiato, holding each close, felt very alone and very scared. Amir, pushing through the crowd of sailors and soldiers, took a seat beside them. Having the expression of a man ready to go to bed, Amir leaned on them both, as one would to a couch.

    ¡°~Don¡¯t complain, all will be explained later.~¡± He closed his eyes in a sort of mournful way. The girl wasn¡¯t keen on arguing with her father but Florato held a silent conspiracy. Was Amir really the adopted son of Ani Arma? She couldn¡¯t confirm her suspensions just yet, so all she could do was wait for the sabotage to finish.

    ¡°Hey-hey fellas!¡± Florato saw a most unsettling thing. Vega, in her profound intelligence, decided to use the armor of the man she and Skaldi knocked out. And thought that it would be enough of a disguise to work.

    Vega didn¡¯t consider wearing the mask of the soldier, so the other men could clearly see through her deception.

    Well, I say could because they didn¡¯t. With both the combination of night and the exhaustion (yes, again) of the sailors, no one detected her. All they really did was muster up a quick wave and return to looking down at the party.

    ¡°~What the hell is she doing?~¡± Florato froze as her eyes expanded wide, like a flower blooming. Her heart could not take so many inconveniences.

    ¡°~She¡¯s doing the best she can.~¡± Valaito smiled up at Vega, curious at how she was going to get out of this situation this time.

    Climbing up the ship¡¯s rigging and standing on top of the ship¡¯s nest, Vega found a sailor smoking. He was looking up at the stars, much like a babe to a mother.

    ¡°My turn.¡± Vega whispered into his ear, causing the sailor to turn around in surprise. Looking up and down at Vega, the dreary eyed sailor took a moment to consider his options.

    ¡°~Hmm. Okay.~¡± He nodded, bowed, and climbed down. He knew obviously

    The ship was being sabotaged. And he knew that it would be best for him to get the fuck away from what she was doing, since she was also wearing the armor of his crewmate. So, in his own words¡­

    ¡°~I¡¯m not going to even try.~¡±

    ¡°That was easy.¡± Vega commended herself and got to work, pulling out a carving knife from a pocket. Dragging the blade along the ropes that held the ship¡¯s sails, she intended that the Tripolians wouldn¡¯t be able to follow them and recapture the mermaids.

    As the sounds of the mermaids swimming by became ever distant, Skaldi wondered if he should toss his stolen stuff and leave. But he caught the glow of some fine looking papers.

    Not only that, but important papers. A series of battle maps and logs detailing Operation Stomach Breaker.

    ¡°Hmm. This seems¡­ too expensive not to be important.¡± The elf stuffed one of his bags and prepared to jump.

    Speaking of which, Skaldi made his fabulous escape.

    Haha, no. He jumped through the hole in the ship while carrying enough loot to bury him. With a great crash in the cold as corpse waters, Skaldi flapped about with pounds of loot tied to him.

    ¡°Holy shit. Someone help me.¡± Skaldi yell came out as a waterlogged yelp, only answered by Florato looking over the ship¡¯s side.

    ¡°Oh you gotta be kidding me.¡± The actress was in no mood for further mishap.

 Chapter 32: The Ship Breaks (Part 2!)

    Chapter 32: The Ship Breaks (Part 2!)

    ¡°~Sirs! The mermaids have escaped!¡± A sailor from the Barbed Lass told, urging the officers to climb back aboard. ¡°~They have taken the map as well!~¡±

    ¡°~Scale skinned bastards.¡± The younger officer scoffed as he hurried back onto the boat. ¡°~You two stay here. Who knows what the mermaids have planned¡­~¡± Florato and Amir took this as a sign that Skaldi and Vega had finished with the sabotage.

    ¡°~You best leave.~¡± Amir motioned one of the soldiers back onto the Barbed Lass, but he refused to move.

    ¡°~No way. We have to bring you back Amir.~¡±

    ¡°~But I-~¡±

    ¡°~No buts. Ani Arma would have some words for you¡­~¡± Amir didn¡¯t like to imagine what his adoptive father would have in store for him after all this time. The soldiers remaining on the Pinnace formed a shield wall around the three, mistaking them for people they needed to protect. Amir, Florato, and Valiato¡¯s hands went to their weapons.

    ¡°Bolato, now!¡± Florato called, as he rushed out from the lower deck, clad in steel. Appearing more as a boulder of metal, the sneak attack caught the four Tripolians soldiers off guard, with the elder officer dashing away from his charge.

    The plan was simple. Knock the Tripolian soldiers off while making sure no one else entered into the fight. Vega and Skaldi¡¯s sabotage went off and succeeded.

    One problem, Valiato was meant to hide in the lower left when the fight started.

    ¡°Got it.¡± Bolato held a poleaxe, fashioned out the remains of a ship¡¯s anchor. Extending his arms forward, the same four soldiers were quickly knocked off their feet.

    ¡°~What the hell?~¡± The younger officer spoke out, now fully back on the Barbed Lass. He wasn¡¯t saying it because of the sneak attack, he was saying because Vega had cut through all of their sails. Falling face first on the ground, the scarecrow took a moment to be proud.

    ¡°Yes. I have sabotaged and gone undetected.¡± She told herself.

    ¡°~...Is that thing alive?~¡±

    ¡°Time to make my amazing escape¡­¡± Vega¡¯s voice drifted off as she noticed all the Tripolians surrounding her. ¡°Huh¡­ guess stealth mode is going to cut-cut it. Hmm, how about attack mode!¡± Flourishing her pickaxe over herself, Vega angled it to protect herself from oncoming blows. The blows wouldn¡¯t yet happen because the Tripolians were terrified at¡­ well, Vega.

    Luckily, the fight on the Pinnace was more than life-threatening enough for all on board. Bolato wrestled with a soldier equal in both size and experience, wearing tiny medals in his hair. They both locked their weapons against parts of their body, Bolato on the soldiers neck and the soldier along Bolato hips.

    Their battle was like two mountains of metal trying to either topple the other. Valiato, swinging her sling so fast that it cracked like a whip, pelted a soldier in the head, knocking him out.

    The actress held her dagger forward in right hand and wrapped her left hand in a thick blanket, acting as a makeshift shield. She had no clue of the motion of combat. There was no line to read, no great declaration. No stabbing underneath the shoulder.

    Florato had hoped that Amir would lead this dangerous dance, just as they danced back in Vein Xinyuai. Her hopes came true as Amir took out a javelin from Bolato¡¯s back and skewered one soldier in his armpits, where he didn¡¯t have much protection.

    A blood leak came out, like the opening of champagne. The soldier tried to plug up his wound but Amir gave him a solid kick to his chest, knocking him backward, flying off the ship.

    Bolato was also aiming towards a quick end to this battle, knowing the longer they took, the more chances of additional soldiers hopping down to attack. Despite this aim, the Tripolian officer wasn¡¯t going to let him overpower his soldiers. The officer threw a heavy dart at Bolato¡¯s calf, which was only protected by light padding.

    Buzzing through the air quickly, the dart pierced ever slightly into him, forcing Bolato to go on one knee, giving his opponent a chance to push him on the ground. From there, the soldier fighting him grabbed a dart from his belt and went to stab through Bolato¡¯s helmet. The both of them grabbed hard and fast onto the dart, fighting for the other person¡¯s life.

    Unfortunately for Vega the sailors didn¡¯t stay amazed for long, as they brought out swords and bows to hack her into her base components. She was quick enough to dodge plenty of the melee attacks, but the skill of Tripolian archers surpassed even the most agile of fighters.

    While her jacket had metal scales to protect against blunt force and cuts, they weren¡¯t durable enough to shield her from the fire of all the sailors. Of the axes that struck her, she recovered fast. But three arrows were struck in her stomach and two in her chest and shoulder, making her movements stiff and rigid.

    Although she knew she had sabotaged the Barbed Lass¡¯s ability to move, she needed to ensure that the soldiers would be too occupied to attack her friends. Seeing a torch at the side of the ship, Vega got an idea.

    Rolling towards it and tossing it to what remained of the ship¡¯s sails, she gambled with her play. Luckily, the sails got just enough fire to change the sailors¡¯ attitude from focus to panic. Just enough of them turned their attention away from Vega for her to pull out arrows from her body and a bottle.

    A bottle of Desert Mirage was held in her hand as she reached for another torch. A few Iozian bandits tried to swing axes down at her but she rolled backward onto her feet standing up. Finally grabbing a torch, she tried a small rag at the end of the bottle and ignited.

    Unauthorized duplication: this tale has been taken without consent. Report sightings.

    ¡°Here¡¯s a present for ya!¡± Vega gleefully told as he leapt high into the air. At the peak of her jump, she tossed down her improvised weapon as the ship¡¯s deck erupted in flame.

    A thick blue flame expanded across the boat as the alcohol spread across the deck. Burning hot but little of the wood became consumed with fire. Not an effective weapon for damage, but for spooking a mass of foes.

    No one got hurt. Well, they got hurt psychologically.

    With screaming men and commanding voices all around her, Vega just gave the sight a big ol¡¯ smile.

    ¡°Man, I love helping people.¡±

    ¡°I need help!¡± Florato shouted out, as two sailors hopped down from the Barbed Lass. They immediately swung at her, one with a spear and the other with an ax. Bolato was too busy trying to stay alive while the officer was giving Amir a lot of trouble with his darts.

    She managed to block plenty of their attacks, but her blanket was slowly ripping. Florato knew that just being defensive wouldn¡¯t tire them out as each sailor traded space to allow the other to recover.

    A stone struck the arm of the axe sailor. The three turned to see Valiato, who was wasting no time to throw another rock from her sling.

    Amir deflected one of the officer¡¯s strikes, allowing him the chance to yell out to his daughter.

    ¡°~Get out. This fight is not yours!~¡± He cried out, trying to concentrate on the man he was fighting. But the two sailors were overwhelming Florato, as the spearman managed to draw blood from Florato''s arm.

    Valiato didn¡¯t want it to happen. She couldn¡¯t let it happen.

    As she swung her sling a great snap broke through the commotion, with a rock colliding into the back of the spearman¡¯s head. It was swift and almost as if he were in a sweet sleep. With a wet thud, the sailor rested on the ground.

    The blood dropping out of his ear made sure everyone who saw knew one thing. Valiato killed a man.

    The girl stared down at her victim. She didn¡¯t want to think of the word, she was defending her friend. She tried to think of the word opponent.

    ¡°Valiato! Move, now!¡± Florato called out, breaking Valiato from her trance. She saw the actress standing in front of her, as her two hands were holding the axe head. Her fingers bleed into her honeycomb hair, turning it into a blood stained hay. The axe sailor elbowed Florato''s cheek, knocking her aside. Valiato couldn¡¯t move. Valiato couldn¡¯t believe it.

    The world wouldn¡¯t wait for her to truly think about what she had done, as the sailor with his axe cleaved into her arm. Most of the strike was absorbed by her scalemail armor, but a shallow yet wide slice broke through.

    For Valiato it was far less grim, at least she believed. The shock was getting to her perspective. She felt like she was marching through shoulder high mud. And her arm didn¡¯t even exist, only a cold absence.

    Like a present box opened to reveal there was no gift. Something was wrong, but she couldn¡¯t tell what it was. Whatever was happening to her, it would end soon. At least she hoped.

    The sailor had to kick the girl to pull the axe from her arm. A grisly pouring of blood came out with it. She fell back, sort of the same manner Skaldi did when he got injured. Like a downed bird, suddenly flung from another world into one of moist wood and panting lungs.

    For Bolato, Valiato¡¯s wounding burned a fire in him, one that fueled him just enough so that he could throw the soldier off the deck and into the water. The water framed liquid bars, a cage that the Tripolian soldier would never escape.

    For Amir, that act against his daughter caved in his chest, blurring his focus. His sloppy movements found strange success, as his javelin found its designation in the officer¡¯s neck. He didn¡¯t even realize it, but his feet were stomping towards the last remaining sailor.

    Sadly for all that watched, they knew they wouldn¡¯t be fast enough. The sailor raised his weapon high, like a vulture ready to eat. Almost on queue, the fire on the Barbed Lass rose high behind the sailor, as he casted a black shadow over the fallen Valiato.

    Amir believed this would be the end.

    ¡°Get your hands off of her!¡±

    Like thunder at night, Skaldi¡¯s voice pierced. His newly acquired glaive held in his two hands, separated the sailor¡¯s head from his body. His swing almost looked beautiful, like a painting in motion.

    Even such a vicious thing like a decapitation had its beauty. Vulgar of course. But no one shuttered or shivered.

    ¡°Vega! We have to go. Now!¡± Skaldi without missing a beat ordered the scarecrow down. As his eyes took in the destruction of the Barbed Lass, he considered giving her a compliment. But Amir¡¯s immediate shift from fighter to healer alerted him that he shouldn¡¯t waste his breath.

    Vega leapt down from the inferno and back onto their ship. Bolato stood guard just in case any archers would fire down. He knew that they wouldn¡¯t, but he couldn¡¯t bear to see Amir¡¯s panic.

    The actress operated the ship¡¯s wheel as per Bolato¡¯s instructions. Her hands fidgeted for a minute until she could only see the burning ship over her shoulder.

    The girl¡¯s eyes weren¡¯t opening and Amir¡¯s eyes weren¡¯t closing. He worked to stabilize her.

    Vega stood alone. No one was speaking. Even to her keen senses, there wasn¡¯t any music on this ship. Not even the groaning of the wood meeting the sea created no pleasant ideas in her. Even though she was surrounded by people, all around her was a wasteland.

    Vega felt angry. Vega felt sad. Vega felt¡­ unhappy.

    She knew that this day came at a heavy price. But what did they all pay for again? Vega climbed on to the side of the ship, searching for the people they had saved.

    A mermaid tail peered out from the water. Then another. Then another. A whole family of mermaids swam alongside the ship. The scarecrow didn¡¯t want to talk, her soul wasn¡¯t into it.

    Helping people sometimes gets people hurt. It made sense but it didn¡¯t. How could such a good thing create so much bad? How could so much life create so much death? How could a fertile valley turn into a waste?

    Right there, she remembered Ren. Where they had hid him during the attack. She silently carried him from his tub and placed him beside his fellow mermaids.

    All of them were too tired for any speech, only a few hands were placed on his shoulders.

    Ren spoke, breaking the rotting silence consuming Vega¡¯s soul.

    ¡°~Thank you. This means a lot to us.~¡±

    No response.

    ¡°~We¡¯re going to stick by you guys. At least until those raiders are gone.~¡±

    No response.

    ¡°~If you have anything we can help with,just let us know.~¡± Ren¡¯s cheery attitude made her really horrible. How can someone be so happy in a world like this?

    For the first time, a fake smile came to her face.

    ¡°~Ok. I¡¯ll see you tomorrow.~¡± Vega climbed back up, nodded to the others, and returned back to the lower deck.

    Her head felt heavy and her eyes wished to shut. Making a pillow from the hay feed of the centuries, she laid her head on it and stared up. Not into the roof, but past it. Like she was training her eyes on some all seeing entity that had driven her here.

    First Skaldi, now Valiato. Who else would get hurt in her pursuit? Would her desire for the voice and Kaliber lead to such pain? She questioned herself.

    She knew she couldn¡¯t control the world and its wars. And she hated that. A combined effort can stop any evil force, until that effort breaks.

    Vega needed to go to sleep. But, as everyone knows, scarecrows can¡¯t sleep.

    The scarecrow cried.

 Chapter 33: Dark Night of the Voice

    Chapter 33:  Dark Night of the Voice

    When one has great responsibilities, your choices matter less for you and more for others. The correct and righteous actions become so much harder to make. Sometimes too hard to take.

    Perhaps it is not how heavy choices are, but how strong a person is. I can say, with confidence, that Vega is stronger than I could ever be.

    Her eyes burned from crying so much. It wasn¡¯t a tantrum whine or a wimpy sob. Water fell from her eyes like they fell from clouds. Chaotic yet uniform.

    Vega¡¯s face made no extreme expression. Not like her maniacal smile or sudden rage. Just bitter open eyes and a dry scowl. She didn¡¯t light any candles beside her because she didn''t want anyone to see herself like this. To see her as abnormal.

    Sitting, for hours on end, Vega needed an answer.

    She wondered why she was crying. She didn¡¯t wish to cry. She didn¡¯t even know how to cry, or how she was doing. Only living things could cry, right? That¡¯s what she thought, that¡¯s what she believed.

    The scarecrow wanted it to stop.

    Vega, in her simple wisdom, thought everything was okay. She and her friends saved people, and she helped people. What could be wrong?

    Despite this, Vega started to get into a dangerous line of thinking. The measuring of people¡¯s worth.

    Valiato got hurt really bad. In fact, Amir''s normally calm attitude was erased and replaced by fear. That''s what was causing her to be so upset.

    Yet, the accomplishment of saving the mermaids from being livestock trophies didn¡¯t seem to matter. What matters is that her friends are in pain, not that they saved anyone from pain. Vega, in her mind, weighed her friends'' safety and the mermaids.

    Was all that effort worth it? Was helping people worth it? Was she worth it?

    No.

    The voice spoke. It whispered to her at a pitch no normal being could notice. But Vega did, and was confused. Why did the voice suddenly intrude on her thinking?

    ¡°What? What did ya say?¡± The scarecrow stood up, surrounded by the shadows of the lower deck. The only part she could see light was coming out from the entrance, a stormy purple.

    ¡°No? What do ya mean no?¡± Vega demanded, raising her head high. Her tears continued to fall, making her bag head wet. ¡°I thought ya wanted me to help people? What¡¯s so wrong with that now?¡± Her head slowly lowered back down as she looked to her right hand.

    It wasn¡¯t the same wood that originally made her. Made from stronger material and metals, this part of her was different. Right then and there, she stopped crying.

    ¡°What¡¯s wrong with me?¡± Vega¡¯s compassion won instead of her ambition. Her belly whirled around, disgusted that she would even consider not helping people in need.

    She hated crying. She hated seeing those she cared about suffer for her failures. But she fucking hated not being a good person. She wasn¡¯t trading good people or anything to avoid that type of pain.

    ¡°Crying ain¡¯t so bad now.¡± She croaked out, tired by the hours of pain she went through. ¡°I¡¯m not strong enough yet. But I can be.¡±

    Vega picked herself up and wandered over to the upper deck, hoping that Valiato was better. As she did, she told herself to now remain skeptical of the voice in her future.

    Slowly opening the door to Amir¡¯s room, Vega could tell he had also remained awake the entire night. The room before Valiato¡¯s wounding was organized like a workshop. Cabinets and pots full of tools and Tripolian medicines and curios once laid in the corners of the room were spilled and splattered across the floor.

    Amir¡¯s style of direct purpose for everything in the room had been evicted by Valiato¡¯s fashion. More spontaneous, creative, and very fun despite the circumstances. If there wasn¡¯t the smell of dried blood and sweaty skin, you could almost call it cozy.

    No one made a noise. I think all of them were too tired to make a noise. Not just in the way a body needs rest. But in the way like an old rope that has remained in use for decades and yet refuses to break. Fibers too thin and knots too soft. Just¡­ tired.

    The girl¡¯s eyes fluttered open like a withering butterfly. She was alive, yes, but losing strength fast. Her eyes rolled over to Vega and a smile kinder than starlight appeared on her face.

    ¡°Hey Vega¡­¡± Valiato spoke slowly, almost as if the act of speaking was straining.

    Amir¡¯s head shot up fast as he sluggishly walked over to Valiato. He too had been hurt, but he didn¡¯t focus on his own injuries.

    ¡°Hello Valiato, how-how ya doing?¡±

    ¡°It burns a lot, and yet I kind of feel cold.¡± Valiato laid her thumb on her wound. Wrapped with bandages soaked in oils, the girl had a spicy mineral smell. ¡°But I¡¯m alive¡­. We¡¯re all alive.¡±

    The tale has been taken without authorization; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident.

    Vega''s pained soul had a little relief seeing Valiato in good spirits. She would take a long time to recover for sure. But at least she would recover. Amir went on his knees and put his chin on the table which Valiato rested.

    ¡°~Why didn¡¯t you listen to me?~¡± Amir asked with great anxiety. No anger or sadness.

    ¡°~I wanted to help Florato¡­ She would have gotten hurt.~¡± Valiato closed her eyes, not wanting to see Amir¡¯s begging eyes. The scarecrow in one of the few rare times in her life, felt like she was intruding. She took off her hat, bowed, and went off looking for Florato.

    Her search would be quick as the actress was resting against the railing with a thin cloth blanket. Florato¡¯s palms looked like mittens with how much bandages were wrapped around them. Her Vega¡¯s hand reached out for Florato, but she pulled back. She instead decided to look for her guitar instead.

    Only a minute later, she had her instrument in both hands. Vega''s arms felt sore from holding it, like she was carrying a mountain. Shambling over to the Pinnance¡¯s nose, she climbed the railing and sat before the Thakian Sea.

    The sun, although blocked by thick clouds of violent violet clouds, spread across the horizon like peach slices. Vega could sense a great world beyond her. Perhaps full of joys but also feelings.

    ¡°Wonder. Wonder. Wonderwander.¡± The scarecrow¡¯s fingers played a melody similar to the sounds she heard back in Cold Cavern.

    The chants of the temple. When the waves scattered across the rocky coasts. The chatting between the people. She imagined how much had changed, and how her worldview had changed.

    She wasn¡¯t alone anymore. She had people she could really trust. And yet, something was not quite right. What Florato had said when she played that she had ¡®talent¡¯. A gift and yet didn¡¯t respond the right way.

    ¡°Maybe it has something to do with the voice¡­¡± Vega thought out loud. The voice had always encouraged her to join other people, to invest in them. But now, it sounded far more personal. More close. More like her own voice than ever before.

    ¡°Hmm. Maybe, it''s not just about others. Maybe it''s about me?¡± Vega stopped playing as she lifted her right hand to her eyes. ¡°I¡¯m enough? I did that?¡±

    Their conversation before the Barbed Lass appeared bounced in her head. Accomplishment with people. Not enough. YOU did that.

    ¡°I did that.¡± Vega stood, laying the guitar by her legs. The word esteem came in her mind, and rooted itself in her soul.

    ¡°Esteem.. Esteem for myself and what I¡¯ve earned. Maybe, that¡¯s why the voice spoke to me the way it did¡­¡± Vega didn¡¯t like it. The voice aimed to turn her into a rejection of her soul.

    Just how everyone had treated her. The priestess back in Vein Xinyuai. The actors in Core Civitus. Throughout all of her journey, she had met various sentient beings that regarded her as less than. Not as bright or not thoughtful. Not enough.

    ¡°Why¡­ Why wouldn¡¯t I treat them the same? What¡¯s wrong with me?¡± Vega¡¯s hands balled up into fists.

    You¡¯re too weak.

    Vega was like a flower underneath a waterfall. Each time she tried to stand up and reassure herself, the voice would shower her with every opposing force possible.

    ¡°Shut-shut up.¡±

    You¡¯re a fool for letting your friends get hurt.

    ¡°No!¡±

    Listen to me. You know the reason you started this journey. It wasn¡¯t for any of your friends or even yourself. Evil scum gave you a task and you couldn¡¯t help to refuse.

    Luioscles, the trader back in Core Civitus, reappeared in Vega¡¯s mind. What was she traveling for? The box. The odd box. The odd box in her chest. The odd box that he wanted to get to the capital of Periatus. He hadn¡¯t even told her its name. She knew it now, but Uvi Jantok was a cloud in the sky. As far as Vega and the party cared now, the capital was on the moon.

    ¡°No. That¡¯s not the-the real reason, is it?¡± Vega prepared an assault and the voice¡¯s accusation. ¡°I can-can hear ya. I know ya need me to help ya. You wanted me to help ya.¡± Vega¡¯s memory wasn¡¯t flimsy. Even months after, she could hear the call drilling harder into her head. She remembered the voice¡¯s pain. It¡¯s demand. It''s command.

    Suddenly, everything stopped for the scarecrow. No clouds moved. The wind disappeared. Like the world just ceased to move. No, like she ceased having control over her body. The voice shook and Vega¡¯s chains formed.

    Obey!

    ¡°Vega? Are you crying?¡± Skaldi¡¯s voice broke through the trance, as Vega turned back to see the elf. She held anxieties over his reaction to her in this weak state. Vega feared that the elf would see her as pathetic.

    The elf hugged the scarecrow.

    ¡°Hey, its alright.¡± Skaldi¡¯s voice comforted Vega. Right then and there Vega truly appreciated the sense of touch. She could feel his tender breath on her shoulder. How he felt so plush like a pillow. And his voice¡­

    It wasn¡¯t like the Priest.

    It wasn¡¯t like the Mayor.

    And wasn¡¯t like the Voice.

    It was exactly like her¡¯s. Odd and kind.

    ¡°I understand Vega. You¡¯re scared and I¡¯m scared too. But we¡¯re doing the right thing.¡± Skaldi moved his hand to her shoulder. He seemed ten feet tall to the scarecrow.

    ¡°We¡¯re going to make it. So don¡¯t give up. Because if I have learned anything from you, what matters is that we tried to make a world with less suffering.¡± Skaldi walked her over to the ship¡¯s edge. The family of mermaids swimming fast beside them, waving and smiling. Ren was down there too, instead of waving he was pointing.

    The two lifted their heads to the horizon, seeing an island as luxurious as golden honey.

    ¡°And damn did we succeed.¡± Vega tears again subsided. She was in control, thanks to Skaldi¡¯s compassion. The elf¡¯s words pulled her from a bottomless pit of self doubt and destruction.

    For some odd reason, Vega felt lighter than normal. Not in the way of weightlessness, or being physically healthy. In the way that the mind holds a cup of water, causing sores and pains. Like a titanic statement was lifted from her shoulders.

    If you were a better person, you wouldn¡¯t be here. That heavy phrase was taken from Vega¡¯s soul and tossed like trash on the side of the road.

    ¡°Thanks Skaldi. I¡­ really appreciate that.¡± The scarecrow¡¯s voice shivered out a sweet reply.

    ¡°It¡¯s the least I could do. Plus, me and Bolato have been thinking. About what Florato learned and what I found among their maps.¡±

    ¡°What-what is it?¡± Vega¡¯s demeanor became that of playful friendship. Not with a sharptooth smile but a pleasant grin.

    ¡°Come to our room and we¡¯ll show you.¡± Skaldi walked away, as his steps made wet cracks across the ship¡¯s floor. Taking one last glance at the island before her, Vega didn¡¯t thank the voice for convincing her to go on this journey. She murmured a simple prayer for the gratitude of friends.

    Swiftly after, the scarecrow skipped to the couple¡¯s room¡­

    ¡­From a great distance spanning rivers of blue water, oceans of shining green, and the golden steppe, Ani Arma raged in his fortress. Both the weight of his sickness and armor couldn¡¯t contain his violence.

    He had lost something. Something close to him. Something that would play a key role in the coming conflict.

    Ani lost his control over the scarecrow named Vega.

 SUPER SECRET CHAPTER!!!

    Hello everyone, Century Robot here!

    Its my birthday today! And no, you don¡¯t need to get me any presents.

    I¡¯m writing this to say this whole journey of writing Vega has been a lot of fun. Not to say there hasn¡¯t been any struggle (keeping up with making a backlog is TOUGH) but I have to admit something.

    A case of content theft: this narrative is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation.

    I wouldn¡¯t be the person I am without starting this story.

    I wouldn¡¯t be as into writing and making people happy with this craft as I am now.

    Dare I say, I wouldn¡¯t be Century Robot. And of course, without you readers, I wouldn¡¯t be still pushing on despite these hardships.

    So to the people that have read so far, thank you. I¡¯m going to push myself and try my best in making this story!

    Thank you to anyone that I have bought even just a smile on their face! It means the world to me.

    Check out the new chapter on Friday to see things looking up for Vega and the party!

    And as always, the best is yet to come!

 Chapter 34: The Isle of the Blight Elves

    Chapter 34: The Isle of the Blight Elves

    If I had to compare civilizations like the Tripolian Empire or the Oligarchy of Ioz to a certain non sentient organism, I would choose the Stardust Shroom.

    Both are quite beautiful in the way death and its systems are. How floating dots grab onto a dead carcass, using its remains to replicate more of itself, forming colors like delicious moonlight, watery suns, and falling stars.

    While the Stardust Shroom is too a conqueror of dying matter, it doesn¡¯t have a key trait that separates many sentient peoples from lawless slime. Judgment.

    ¡°What¡¯s going on-on?¡± Vega yelped out, surprised that Bolato was shaking Skaldi like a child.

    ¡°Skaldi! Can you please focus?¡± Bolato shouted accidentally, only intending that the elf put down the comic book.

    ¡°Sorry, I just want to calm down before I have to do anything with lots of thinking.¡± Skaldi kept looking down as he closed the book with one hand. ¡°Plus, I finally got to the twentieth page.¡± He congratulated himself as he placed the book on a stool.

    ¡°Ya guys got some problems.¡±

    ¡°I know.¡±

    The Chronicles of Valentine¡¯s presence made him feel a bit more comfortable. Like a key in a jail cell, it freed him from one perspective and story.

    Bolato spread the map on one half of the table, using gold coins as paper weights. In the corner of the room were stacked sets of clothing Bolato had spare from back in Core Civitus. They didn¡¯t smell clean, but they had a sort of radiant smell of dirt. Not dirty, just dirt.

    Candles in the shape of towers glowed high. Not tall enough for everyone to see each other''s faces clearly, but it allowed the map and the equipment to be seen.

    ¡°We got some shit to do.¡± Bolato spoke in a calm tone, grabbing a ceramic cup full of thin pencils and handing it over to Vega. And much to Skaldi¡¯s surprise, he was handed pencils too.

    ¡°What¡¯s this for?¡± Skaldi balanced one of the pencil¡¯s on his pinkie finger.

    ¡°Well, you can read. So that must mean that you can write.¡± Bolato responded, walking behind Skaldi and brushing his red hair in his rough hands.

    ¡°You sure Vega can¡¯t do this better than I can hubby?¡± The elf tapped the scarecrow¡¯s shoulder.

    ¡°Come on-on. Ya can still try-try. Plus, I think ya learned a lot when I taught ya.¡± She handed over a tablet, pressing it to Skaldi¡¯s chest. He gingerly grabbed it along with the pencil and prepared to write.

    ¡°You know, having you teach the class back in Fort Jao was kind of irritating. But now it¡¯s just kind of funny.¡±

    ¡°Anyways, we got a plan to set up.¡± He stepped away and placed his hands across the table, assuming the role of commander. ¡°We are only a couple minutes out from Tuivi¡¯s Rest. This island is only eighty miles from Uvi Jantok, where Vega needed to transport the box thing and where we are going to get rich.¡±

    ¡°So, why are we stopping here? What are we doing here?¡± Skaldi kept his eyes to the tablet, focusing hard on the writing of the word ¡®rest¡¯.

    ¡°Well, I thought you might want to¡­ you know¡­¡± Bolato scratched his head and smiled proudly at Skaldi.

    ¡°You know what?¡± Shifting his head to the side playfully, hoping Bolato was going to say what he thought he was going to say.

    ¡°Save good people in need?¡± Bolato patted the elf on the shoulder, as Skaldi¡¯s face blushed a soft pink. He was conflicted in the way only good people are. The idea of a romantic get away from the pain of the recent past was something he was looking forward to.

    However, he felt this warm fullness take his body as Bolato recognized his accomplishments. Skaldi had scarcely felt this cherishing of himself in years, ever since he had left the Galtian tribe.

    He wondered what Vega would call this feeling. She talks a lot about rhythm and music, Skaldi held the word dissonance in his mind. The clash between two ideas or rather two motives. No matter the conflict in his mind, he knew what he wished couldn¡¯t matter. This is much bigger than him. In fact, it''s not about him, it''s about them.

    Valiato, Ponteni, and Ren. These folk that needed help.

    ¡°Huh. Don¡¯t you mean help good people in need, hubby?¡± Skaldi playfully punched Bolato¡¯s shoulder, making a bang on his armor.

    ¡°That¡¯s the idea.¡± He gave Vega a side eye, careful to analyze her mood. Vega didn¡¯t know it, but her crying had made wet lines down her face. ¡°Are you in the mood to do some work Vega?¡±

    Her mouth felt heavy and her throat weakened like an invisible force squeezed on them both. The images of Valiato and Florato wounded weren¡¯t letting go of their grip. She was doing better, but she needed to make sure of something. Not for curiosity¡¯s sake, but for their safety.

    ¡°Do¡­ do ya trust me?¡±

    ¡°What?¡± Bolato sort of laughed as he asked, making Vega a bit insecure and bow her head slightly.

    ¡°Do ya trust me?¡± She held the tablet and pencil to her chest and cast her gaze to a shelf of merger importance. ¡°Because I know I did nothing wrong, it''s just¡­ I don¡¯t know¡­¡±

    ¡°Huh, never did I think you not being sure of your feelings would ever happen.¡± Skaldi budded shoulders into Vega, believing that he would help her to be more sociable. She didn¡¯t look back at him but she held her head high. ¡°Vega, we trust you. Right?¡±

    ¡°Yep.¡±

    ¡°See?¡± Skaldi looked up into the ceiling where Florato would be resting. He started to understand the actress'' desire for Vega to have motivations outside of her ¡®helping¡¯ others. He admitted that it was, if anything, frustrating.

    ¡°Alright. Just tell me what to write down-down. Tell me what to do.¡±

    Tuivi¡¯s Rest translated from the Blight Elf language means Fungus¡¯s Rest. That is artistic along with accidentally accurate name for the island. As the Pinnacle got closer the island¡¯s fog grew thick like heavy smoke. What they soon realized, much like every person that goes there, is that fog isn¡¯t simply mist, it is the spores.

    Everyone needed to wear two scarves around the mouth and nose, even then their breathing grew what could be described as inhaling burning chili peppers. Vega was fine and the plan laid on her leading Skaldi and Bolato through.

    The wounded had to remain locked in the storage room, with Amir standing guard. The actress woke up due to the taste of the air.

    ¡°Are you going to be okay? You know we could at least wait for the air to clear up in a couple hours?¡± Florato wished only for their safety, since she could not provide any help in combat or supporting friends.

    ¡°It¡¯s okay lady. You and the girl rest.¡± Bolato answered, closing the door as he did. ¡°And Florato?¡±

    Unauthorized usage: this narrative is on Amazon without the author''s consent. Report any sightings.

    ¡°Yes?¡± Her eyes had purple bags as well as her cheek a violet blue. Her face wasn¡¯t as calming of a sight as it was before.

    ¡°Tell Amir we¡¯re going to talk after this. Make sure he sleeps too.¡± With that, he secured to the door, laying blankets and towels on the lock and edges.

    Skaldi carried a white ceramic pot on his hip and dipped a brush into its mouth. Out came a toxic blue with flakes of green stems of whatever plant he had on hand. His hand itched as he lathered the blue agent on his face and Bolato¡¯s.

    His brow was twitching as sweat mounted on his lips. He couldn¡¯t be sure if it would work, Skaldi was only a lucky novice at alchemy and herbs. At least, that¡¯s what he believed.

    And Vega¡­ she sported no protection. I don¡¯t think I need to remind you why.

    Although she was now carrying Bolato¡¯s backpack which dwarfed her in size. She looked like she was carrying a big bear with straps that weren¡¯t meant for her.

    Hands fixed and holding on to the backpack, Skaldi and Bolato stayed behind the scarecrow. Their vision was akin to blindness, only seeing yellow clouds in front of them. The ship stopped on the shore as the landing bridge now touched the beach.

    ¡°Ya guys ready?¡± Vega smiled at both, again not quite realizing the severity of the situation. Not that she didn¡¯t notice the precaution of her friends, but she didn¡¯t understand the mission.

    Florato¡¯s investigation of the Tripolian officer as well Skaldi¡¯s stealing of their plans revealed a boon. When they plan to steal from the Lai bank, they will need plenty of resources. And it wouldn''t hurt to do some damage to the Tripolians. But nothing could prepare them for their discovery.

    Translated poorly from the actress and a tired Amir, the plans read¡­

    ¡°To the crew of the Barbed Lass,

    Aboard the vessel ¡°Soft Belly¡± are recipes, supplies, and plans for Operation Stomach Breaker. You may laugh now.

    Soft Belly is a troop carrier led by Clan Utiamir men. Not only this but twenty of my slave officers, eight hundred men, and ten of the latest Snake Skins.

    Do not mind the smell, they¡¯re only dead.

    It along with its three escorts are disguised as Kai Ren merchant ships. Its sails are that of turquoise wings.

    It will land at Tuivi¡¯s Rest on the thirteenth month and the fourteenth day of the Iozian calendar. Likely, it will land off the coast of the trade port and will be facing some resistance. Crush the local populace and use the port as staging grounds for future plans.

    Jg bmm fmtf gbjmt ps Jpajbot ejtdpwfs zpvs qsftfodf, dpoubdu uif qsjftut boe if xjmm tfoe b gmbsf. Ep opu xpssz xip uif gmbsf jt tjhobmjoh, pomz uibu xipfwfs hbwf zpv uspvcmf xjmm nffu uifjs eppn.

    Bddpnqmjti uijt ubtl boe J xjmm tff up ju uibu bmm pg uif dsfx hfu b qfstpobm tmbwf boe ibsfn.

    Mfu zpvs mjwft cf mpoh boe nbz zpv gjoe xjtepn.

    Gspn,

    Boj Bsnb¡±

    You might initially think that this might be a death sentence for the Tripolian¡¯s efforts. What you don¡¯t know, as well as the party, is that the last two messages were encrypted. Not even Amir could understand the codes it was written in.

    Being the kind and generous ruler I am, I will provide you with the decrypted messages. They read¡­

    ¡°If all else fails or Iozians discover your presence, contact the priests and they will send a flare. Do not worry who the flare is signaling, only that whoever gave you trouble will meet their doom.

    Accomplish this task and I will see to it that all of the crew get a personal slave and harem.

    Let your lives be long and may you find wisdom.

    From,

    Ani Arma¡±

    Sadly, what they knew was enough, despite not knowing about the flare¡­

    ¡°Hey Bolato, you wouldn¡¯t mind sharing ya stomach? I could use one.¡±

    ¡°Fuck you too.¡± The soldier snickered at Vega¡¯s random request. ¡°Just keep moving forward and follow the map. If we can confirm the landmarks of where we are, we can find where they¡¯re gonna land.¡±

    Normally the spores wouldn¡¯t be as thick, but with the lack of storms, the spores have been unmoved by wind or rain. The scarecrow could see a lot better while the couple are forced to wear wood goggles to even blink. Although for the elf he would only wear an eyepatch and half of said goggles.

    Vega¡¯s first steps were surprisingly slow, as the spores were so heavy that they were clinging to her legs. She remembered how hard it was to walk during a storm as great winds blew in the other direction. But it was never to the point of walking like your feet submerged in sand.

    ¡°Hey guys? The spores are touching me-me.¡±

    ¡°That¡¯s because you¡¯re made out of plants.¡± Skaldi reassured her.

    ¡°Didn¡¯t Valiato say I-I was made out of cereal?¡±

    ¡°Just keep moving.¡± Bolato ordered her with a shove. All around them yellow clouds forming complex patterns that of roads and streets. In the sky certain spores glowed like candles and torches, and it almost seemed to have turned into night as the sun could no longer be seen.

    The map had no real description of a trade port, any scant mentions of any location were that Tuivi¡¯s Rest were inhabited by the mighty Blight Elves.

    If Flictions Elves had power to influence their natural senses, then Blight Elves held the power to destruct and repair them. Either it is a curse or a blessing to see a Blight Elf, never in between. Not that they are spirits or nymphs, but that their very being disturbs the bodily systems of any creature that comes near. Well, except things that don¡¯t have any system to destroy.

    Skaldi in the middle of the march into the island imagined what they would look like. He imagined them as small, tiny creatures with spikes and barbs that of fruit. His only real idea of them was based on tales told to him back when he was in the Galtian tribe. Maybe they could have some degree of accuracy, he thought.

    Do you know what I think, dear student? I believe with some scant evidence, that Blight Elves are the only species of monsters that remain in this world.

    Again, I use the word monster as an academic term rather than to describe an immoral person or things like ghosts. But not like mermaids being the distant relative of sirens or Ani Arma¡¯s conjured Snake Skins. Real stuff from legends that truly exist.

    ¡°We need to find the landmark of a hooked cliff, do you see it yet?¡± The soldier yelled out as his very voice became muffled in the spores.

    ¡°Hmm.¡± Vega tried to squint but soon realized she didn¡¯t have real eyes.

    ¡°Yes-yes!¡± Kaliba answered for her, pointing its beak up high.

    ¡°Kaliba ya appear at the weirdest times.¡±

    ¡°I know.¡± The bird croaked.

    ¡°Okay, where is the cliff?¡± Bolato requested as Skaldi beside pulled out a tablet to write the position down.

    ¡°About, north east!¡± Vega responded, which Skaldi promptly wrote down. ¡°Are we gonna get out of here-here?¡±

    ¡°Yes! Alright, turn back now and-¡±

    As he spoke, the shore shook like a dog shivering. The sand rattled faintly starting low and rising higher and higher. Every couple of seconds, the ground would quake and then stop.

    ¡°Back away, slowly.¡± Bolato whispered to them as he drew a spear from his back. Skaldi couldn¡¯t help but to try to enhance his sight. He happily tuned out his smell and taste to improve the clarity of his vision.

    From where he could see, it appeared that it wasn¡¯t a simple shaking in the ground. The sand now moved as if a strong hurricane was soon upon them, like the sea had motioned to crash the shore. But no waves tossed and turned near, but dark lemon shadows fell on them.

    ¡°~Dark construct~¡±.

    Manifesting from out of the spores, came a great flesh that grabbed the three. The very grappling of them took the wind from their systems and they could not scream.

    Bolato and Vega had no way to know what was happening, but Skaldi did. He remembered the fetish of spirit¡¯s bone back in Vein Xinyuai, and how its very fingers were as big as his forearm. From what he could feel, the fingers grabbing him were of massive size, if a tad smaller. And he knew they were being hoisted up.

    ¡°~Being that wills nothing.~¡±

    And the voice, Skaldi knew, couldn¡¯t be compared to anything Iozian. If he had to connect to something he could vaguely understand, the being that had grabbed them was speaking in an elvish cant.

    ¡°~You are alone¡­ scarecrow.~¡±

    The hand stopped and opened up, and all of them fell onto a rocky surface. Vega quickly grabbed the couple and moved their hand to her pack. Their feet struggled to find stable ground to stand on for the land shook as the giant walked.

    A great shadow descended before Bolato, of which he had to put a hand on his mask due to the great spores. Vega could barely see the head before her, but Skaldi could see in clear detail.

    From their mouth and head arose spores in the patterns of cigar smoke. Each time the being shifted its head circular dots came from all holes. Teeth were long stoney stones ending in terrible ends as sharp as cleavers.

    Where its eyes were supposed to be were colonies of fungus contained in a bronze metal helmet. Organic shapes fused into hard plates along the sides of the head, breaking open the top jaw and lining it with rotting skin. Out from the mouth came a mustard colored gas. These colonies touched everything except the ears.

    There was no denying what he saw was true. Each ear flanked long past the shoulders and reassembled the wings of a woodland bird.

    ¡°Their spores can not be endured within twenty yards. And you won¡¯t survive within five.¡± Skaldi muttered to himself, much like a person left mad at some discovery.

    The being that stood before them was but the body of a titanic Blight Elf!

 ART!!!

    This is a place where all art drawn for Vega of the Wastes is kept!

    It will be updated as needed (And you might have noticed a skill gap between me and the actually skilled artists lol).

    Names of the Pictures are first, Who made them second, and then When they were made!

    Keep in mind, if you haven''t read up, some of the pictures might be spoilers. Observe at your own risk.

    Please enjoy!

    <hr>

    Original cover art: Century Robot, 12/1/23

    <hr>

    Skaldi with a Gun!: Akaha on Fiverr, 11/1/23

    <hr>

    Skaldi''s cool pose: Diki Sensei on Fiverr, 10/26/23

    <hr>

    Thank you!: Century Robot, 1/16/24

    <hr>

    Vega Cover Art: HWPerfidy on Royal Road, 3/15/24

    <hr>

    Skaldi the Scar Faced Bandit: Century Robot, 4/4/24

    <hr>

    The Fifth Assassin!: Century Robot, 4/11/24

    <hr>

    OVER 9000!: Century Robot, 4/20/24

    Unauthorized duplication: this tale has been taken without consent. Report sightings.

    <hr>

    Skaldi and Florato speaking: Century Robot, 4/23/24

    <hr>

    Volume 4 Cover: Century Robot, 4/8/24

    <hr>

    Skaldi with a gun Mark 2: Century Robot, 5/10/24

    <hr>

    Funny Hair: Century Robot, 4/8/24

    <hr>

    Vega as Ragatha: Century Robot, 6/12/24

    <hr>

    Vega''s Rose: Century Robot, 6/21/24

    <hr>

    Vega vs Vega?!: Century Robot, 7/8/24

    <hr>

    A Date with Vega?: Century Robot, 7/11/24

    <hr>

    Vega vs Pepper Black: Century Robot, 7/8/24

    <hr>

    Skaldi, Amir, and Sorbet Hangout: Century Robot 7/24/24

    <hr>

    You Gay: Century Robot, 6/12/24

    <hr>

    1 Year Anniversary! : Century Robot, 8/5/24

    <hr>

    Krimm''s Wrath: Century Robot, 7/24/24

    <hr>

    Skaldi is Pretty: Century Robot 7/29/24

    <hr>

    Lady Lai Returns!: Century Robot, 8/15/24

    <hr>

    Vega in the Field of Roses: Century Robot, 8/17/24

    <hr>

    Vega is cool: Century Robot, 7/15/24

    <hr>

    Girls just want to have gun: Century Robot, 5/9/24

    <hr>

    One last thank you to the artists that have provided their craftsmanship to my fiction. Be sure to check them out if you like their stuff.

    And hopefully (definitely not soon lol) I can soon join them in creating such fun and well made art pieces. In this case, the best is truly yet to come!

 Chapter 35: Dear Motherâ€¦.

    Chapter 35: Dear Mother¡­.

    When in the hands of an angry force, the best option for survival is calm.

    ¡°WHAT THE FUCK IS THAT?!¡±

    Well¡­ it''s not the only option?

    ¡°Skaldi! Stop screaming! We planned for this.¡± Bolato¡¯s orders came out softer than he wanted. He needed the attention of his comrades so they could escape the Blight Elf.

    ¡°Vega! Skyward strike!¡±

    ¡°Gotcha boss.¡± Without hesitation, Vega rushed up behind Bolato and jumped on top of his shield. He pushed his shield arm high and launched the scarecrow high into the air.

    ¡°Weeeeeeeeee-¡± Vega was having fun. Swinging her pickaxe upward like an uppercut, the end of her pickaxe met the chin of the Blight Elf. Striking hard and wide, a great spray of blood and fungus parts rained all around, as Skaldi threw down spiked caltrops to slow the giant¡¯s advance.

    Landing in the arms of the soldier, Vega quickly hopped down, grabbed the hands of the couple, and raced back towards the ship. Hurrying hard and fast, Skaldi could not care which direction they were running. Only that it was far away from the monstrous giant.

    ¡°~Cruel construct!~¡± Just as black powder can shape the earth, so can a Blight Elf¡¯s voice shape the sky. With its hideous shouts, everyone felt the air crash upon them like waves in the sea. Bolato held tight on Vega''s backpack as she too soared up for a few moments.

    A crunching stomping followed behind them and its rhythm quickened. Like a drum beat going faster and faster. Soon, the Blight Elf¡¯s voice chased after the three, groaning as it stepped on the caltrops. Seeing a nearby beach tree, it wrenched out of the groan in two twists and hurled it in their direction.

    The soldier looked behind and quickly shoved Skaldi and Vega down as the tree narrowly missed their heads.

    ¡°We¡¯re almost there, keep moving!¡± Spinning into the sand, the trunk shattered apart like old fruit being thrown against a wall. When the outline of the Pinnace peered out from the spores, their running turned into sprinting.

    ¡°Don¡¯t stop! Don¡¯t let go!¡± Skaldi shouted to them as their feet met the bridge back up to the boat. Wooden thuds and echoes joined them in their panic, and the croaks of the Blight Elf didn¡¯t leave them alone.

    ¡°I¡¯ll start the anchor, do anything you can in order to slow that thing down!¡± Bolato commanded, running up the stairs and towards the anchor chain and its crank. Immediately pushing with all his might, the crank mechanism fired off with a crunching as the chain rose up from the water.

    ¡°By the gods¡­. I really can¡­ I really have to do this!?¡± Skaldi¡¯s hands were shaking as he reached for his flask.

    ¡°Do ya think it''s the time to be drinking?¡±

    ¡°...yeah you¡¯re right.¡±

    The sails opened wide like the endless sky and air quickly pushed the boat from the shore, but that had yet to quell Skaldi¡¯s anxieties.

    ¡°~Cruel crew. They will know only pain on their journey.~¡± Its voice sounded distorted, like it was speaking in a cave.

    Like flashing light and thunder, a tree spinning through the air followed the voice. Making a tense buzzing as it crashed into the side of the ship, the tree exploded on impact. Each person held tight onto whatever was closest to them. Bolato held onto a railing. Skaldi held onto a mast. Vega held onto Skaldi.

    The Pinnace swayed from side to side, splashing the green sea around before slowly returning to a stable position. The ship had been pushed far enough away so that the foul spores from the island thinned and one could see their own feet.

    A soft metal met the redhead¡¯s lips and the taste of spiced alcohol warmed his tongue. Skaldi¡¯s knees gave out and he fell onto his butt, drinking all the liquor he could. His wounded face froze and he felt a headache start.

    ¡°...holy shit.¡± He pounded his chest, imprinting a blue bruise on both his thumb and breast. He was trying to tell himself to keep breathing. To keep living.

    ¡°You both alright?¡± Bolato rushed to Skaldi¡¯s side and gave the scarecrow a brief look before focusing his attention on his lover.

    ¡°I¡¯m¡­ fine.¡±

    ¡°...Okay. I¡¯ll go check the storage room to see if everyone else is good. If we have a leak I¡¯ll call for you.¡± He got up and tore off his mask. His feet halted as he gave Skaldi one more look, that of understanding and worry. He had to be worried, for everyone to survive.

    Took long and dragged breaths through his nose, Skaldi closed his eyes and unhitched the mask from his face as well. Laying back on the deck, Skaldi laughed like a mad man. He felt that it was funny, he was so happy to be breathing normal air.

    ¡°Do ya need help?¡±

    ¡°Do you ever shut up?¡±

    ¡°Would it help you?¡± Vega reclined beside him, only offering her sweet gullibility.

    ¡°...sure.¡±

    Coal dark clouds brought the sprinkling of rain, an omen that only Vega and Skaldi could recognize. The scarecrow believed them to be clouds brought by Recor or some kind spirit, telling those who knew the signs that hard work was ahead. Vega smiled but it faded when the voice murmured in her head.

    The elf returned to memories back in the Galtian tribe, where these almost venomous clouds were that of new industries and war camps. Elders would tell him that he mustn¡¯t only be strong, but also cunning.

    Skaldi readied himself for a fight, but his eyes drifted back to the recovering Valiato. Would he be cunning and strong or kind and present?

    I must reveal that this was an ordinary storm cloud, its just that these two fuckers decided to be insecure about themselves again.

    With them altogether in the storage room, the subject of Amir¡¯s history with Ani Arma was not unforgotten. Amir made effort to focus on patching the wall planks as Florato lathered glue on the holes, but Skaldi¡¯s tapping foot and Vega¡¯s annoying scribbling rattled in his head.

    ¡°~What should I teach her?~¡± Amir asked Florato, who was taken aback by his dry voice.

    ¡°~What?~¡±

    ¡°~What should I¡­ nevermind¡­~¡± He turned his head back to the holes, only seeking to repair what injuries that have happened.

    Whatever he tried to do, Skaldi couldn¡¯t stop brushing his own hair. Always with his thumb which would touch the wounded side of his face, causing his headache to be worse. And yet, he couldn¡¯t stop repeating it.

    He never wanted this, he thought. Facing the Blight Elf had ruined any sense of bravery he had that day, and the ever closer storm didn¡¯t help. He knew he had a choice on the matter, but what would he choose?

    Valiato¡¯s eyes were a heavy blue and her skin became almost foggy. She had been sleeping beside Vega, who was drawing as she usually did. But instead of keeping the drawing, she would crumble it up fast and hard and toss it over to the centuries.

    ¡°What¡¯s wrong?¡± He slid his back down against a wooden pillar and nudged her shoulder playfully.

    ¡°I can¡¯t help her.¡±

    ¡°What?¡±

    ¡°Back in Xinyuai, there was-was a lady. Ya didn¡¯t see her but she was the mom of the weirdo priestess. I felt bad because she was hurt-hurt, but the priestess told me we could help her out. That made me feel good.¡± She grabbed her paper in her hands and rolled it up in a mean fashion. ¡°But now, Valiato is hurt and no one is telling me what to do.¡±

    ¡°Do you need someone to tell you what to do?¡± Skaldi tried to provoke Vega¡¯s curiosity, to create a silly moment for them all to either laugh or cringe at. But her eyes closed and she placed her hat on her lap.

    ¡°I¡¯m no good. I¡¯m useless.¡±

    ¡°No one has said that.¡±

    ¡°You don¡¯t need to say it. I already know how people feel about me.¡± The air around her head darkened as her perfect human eyes appeared from out of nowhere. Skaldi only saw those human eyes on her bag head for only a moment before everything returned to normal.

    ¡°What were ya saying again?¡±

    ¡°...M-maybe make her a song?¡± Skaldi said with a sweat forming on his brow.

    ¡°That''s a good idea. Thank ya Skaldi!¡±

    ¡°You¡¯re fucking terrifying. I-I mean, you¡¯re welcome.¡± Skaldi, taking this as an exit out of the conversation, headed out of the room and onto the main deck. He stopped to look up, seeing the sails pushed by strong wind, guiding the ship and the party¡¯s fates north.

    Ribbons of tobacco smoke rose just above Bolato¡¯s head, as he rested his palms on the railing. His eyes were stern yet charming in the midday light, staring out back to the island surrounded by yellow spores.

    Skaldi¡¯s hand naturally went back to his head and he managed to catch it before it caused his headache any more pain. He held two fists at each side and he looked like he might burst in steam. Pouting, he stomped beside Bolato.

    ¡°Problem sweetie?¡±

    ¡°No¡­ No, I¡¯m lying.¡± Skaldi rolled his eyes and dropped them to the sea, seeing the mermaids far below the water. ¡°I have a headache, everyone is unhappy, and I have no idea if we¡¯re ever going to rob the Lai Bank.¡±

    ¡°Uncertain?¡± The soldier took a big toke from his tobacco pipe and raised his head as he released the gas, fading into the gray afternoon sky.

    If you encounter this tale on Amazon, note that it''s taken without the author''s consent. Report it.

    ¡°I guess. It¡¯s just¡­ it''s never been like this before.¡±

    ¡°How so? We¡¯ve always been in danger.¡±

    ¡°Yeah, but this is a danger we are legitimately choosing. Not because the way things have been for us¡­¡± Skaldi pointed to himself and Bolato before returning hand to his waist. ¡°I¡¯m not saying we¡¯re doing something wrong.¡±

    ¡°Kind of sounds like it.¡±

    ¡°Haha.¡± The elf bent over the railing, resting his elbow as he carried his chin. ¡°Why aren¡¯t you worried? Why aren¡¯t you worried about Valiato? Is that, uh, telling when someone will survive thingy?¡±

    ¡°Yep. Always the eyes.¡±

    ¡°Of course.¡±

    ¡°...You want to show off all the random stuff you got? That tends to cheer you up.¡± Bolato gave Skaldi a squeeze on the shoulder.

    ¡°Really?¡±

    ¡°That''s the idea.¡±

    ¡°...Bolato.¡± Skaldi shot a glance at his pipe. ¡°Mind if I try it?¡±

    ¡°Really? I thought you would never ask.¡± The soldier handed it to the redhead, gently maneuvering in between his teeth. He blew two puffs and inhaled the tasty air. And much to both of their expectations, he coughed only twice. The effects of the smoke relaxed his sense as warmth took Skaldi¡¯s head.

    ¡°Are you relaxed now?¡±

    ¡°Sort of.¡± Skaldi continued to take another drag. ¡°Why aren¡¯t you worried?¡±

    ¡°Who says I¡¯m not?¡± Bolato closed his eyes, revealing a degree of vulnerability which Skaldi understood well.

    ¡°Sorry¡­ It¡¯s just¡­ how are we going to get back on that island?¡±

    ¡°We can always use the scarecrow.¡±

    ¡°Why? We always do that to her.¡±

    ¡°It makes her feel useful. Helpful even.¡± He snickered, not noticing Skaldi stopped puffing the smoke.

    ¡°What about Florato? What about you-What about me?¡± Skaldi speedily stood up and grabbed at Bolato¡¯s shirt collar.

    ¡°What is the problem, Skaldi?¡± Bolato grabbed onto his hand and used it to brush Skaldi¡¯s cheek. A pink blush came across his face as the elf tried to compose his feelings.

    ¡°...I know I have to do something, but I can¡¯t do anything. I¡¯m powerless¡­. I¡¯m helpless. What can I do?¡± His head bowed and rested on the soldier¡¯s chest. Still effeminate and insecure , Bolato could tell Skaldi only needed a little nudge to return his bravery.

    ¡°Do what you can.¡± Lifting his head with his finger, Bolato¡¯s lips pressed onto Skaldi¡¯s, sending a sweet and cozy sensation into the elf. It was short but long enough to last. ¡°Stop worrying about what is out of your control and start taking control of what you do have.¡±

    Skaldi smiled ever so slightly, being so glad that Bolato was such a simple but reassuring person.

    ¡°It''s worth it if you try. You have an obligation to us and yourself.¡± He spoke again, letting go of Skaldi¡¯s chin and gesturing his head in the direction of the lower deck.

    ¡°Hey Bolato?¡±

    ¡°Yes sweetie?¡± He stood still, allowing Skaldi to think for a moment before composing his words.

    ¡°About that Operation thing-¡±

    ¡°That¡¯s something I¡¯ll worry about.¡± Shooting a calming grin, Bolato made sure that Skaldi focused on what he needed to do. ¡°Do what you got to do.¡±

    ¡°...Thank you, hubby.¡±

    ¡°No. Thank you.¡±

    You might be surprised that during that romantic moment, Vega was doing some dumb shit. This particular dumb shit was asking the animals what her song should be about.

    ¡°Centuries, I can¡¯t write without-out inspiration!¡± She had swapped her original hat for one of the hats Skaldi stole from Fort Jao. Also she stole from Skaldi.

    The two centuries chattered their incisors and rested on their hundreds of bone breaking legs. If they had any sentience, they were only humoring Vega until she wore out their attention.

    ¡°What about ya Kaliba? Do ya have any ideas?¡±

    ¡°Chicken.¡±

    ¡°Silly Kaliba, you¡¯re a crow.¡± Vega patted the bird on the head, who then promptly poked at her hair in a motion that could be interpreted as either kind or annoying.

    ¡°Idiot.¡± It was annoying.

    ¡°Well, that doesn¡¯t really help-help. Maybe I have something I could use in my pack.¡± She reached out for her bag, pulling out whatever she could find. Pages of crude writing spilled on the floor. As she went to organize them, a strange black sheet shined among the pile.

    ¡°Oh! What¡¯s this?¡± Her gloved hands opened the sheet and found bizarre writing. It was only bizarre for Vega since it had been written with an excellent font that it made it hardly legible.

    ¡°Huh, this one isn¡¯t written in Tripolian this time. And I can-can kind of-¡°

    ¡°Need help?¡± Skaldi tapped her back with her foot, noticing the almost majestic paper she was holding.

    ¡°Uh¡­ sure?¡± Vega handed the sheet over to him, mildly surprised that Skaldi was helping her with something so mundane. They had just fought for their lives twice in the past week, so this was an event she was going to be grateful for.

    ¡°I¡¯m kind of surprised that you aren¡¯t working on repairing the wall.¡± He muttered, still looking over the paper.

    ¡°Florato said I shouldn¡¯t. That-that it wouldn¡¯t ¡®help¡¯.¡±

    ¡°Of course.¡± He rolled his eyes and shook his head. Now getting a grasp at the writing, the redhead remembered what it was.

    ¡°Huh. Is this one of those papers Bolato told me about? When you just write a bunch of nonsense that only you can understand?¡±

    ¡°Yeah, except ya can understand it.¡±

    ¡°Huh, yeah you¡¯re right.¡± Squinting his eyes at the almost disgusting glamorous lettering, he tried to pick out recurring words.

    ¡°Ka¡­Kaliba?¡±

    ¡°No-no, it says Kaliber.¡±

    ¡°Got it.¡± Skaldi spoke, now getting a better understanding of the words on the paper. Her staring at him didn¡¯t aid him the slightest. ¡°Also, you should remember to blink once in a while.¡±

    ¡°Gotcha. I usually blink when I can¡¯t take the pain-pain anymore.¡± She spoke in a cheery voice.

    ¡°Right. Did you write this?¡±

    ¡°Maybe? I don¡¯t remember what it is and why it''s in my bag.¡± Vega¡¯s eyes lowered as she shuddered, fearing that the voice would again torment her. Skaldi saw this and sat next to her, wrapping his arm around her.

    ¡°Don¡¯t worry about that for now. Let¡¯s focus on making that song for Valiato.¡± He threw the sheet of paper behind him and gave the scarecrow a soft smile. She looked over at the black letter, but Skaldi forcibly moved her gaze back to his face.

    ¡°Alright. Where to-to start-start?¡± Picking up her guitar and giving a quick strum, Vega went to tune it.

    ¡°Why not that song you were singing with Florato? About being built for destruction?¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m not sure-sure that Valaito would like that¡­¡±

    ¡°Trust me, that kid can be all sorts of destructive. But fine, let¡¯s choose a topic less sensitive.¡± Skaldi stood up for a moment and looked around for another instrument to aid her in creating enough sounds for a song.

    ¡°You want anything?¡±

    ¡°Thunder.¡±

    ¡°Thunder?¡± Skaldi said with a laugh.

    ¡°Sorry. I just sorta think of instruments as natural sounds. Like an ocarina, I usually call-call it wind.¡± Vega finished tuning the guitar and tested each string. Satisfied, she put it in her lap and looked back at Skaldi.

    ¡°No, I kind of get it. My people didn¡¯t have a word for music. If I had to translate our equivalent, it would be literally ¡®people song¡¯.¡±

    ¡°Heh. That¡¯s funny.¡±

    ¡°Yeah¡­¡± He felt sad remembering his past but shook his head and quickly went over to Florato¡¯s sets of instruments. ¡°You don¡¯t mind me stealing one of these things, would you?¡±

    ¡°Skaldi, you don¡¯t pay me enough money for me to say yes.¡± Florato rolled her eyes, still focusing on the task of fixing the walls.

    ¡°But I pay you!¡± Vega answered, prompting Florato to nod at Skaldi, as he searched for an instrument that made a thunder sound. He eventually found a cymbal and a stick with it.

    ¡°Thanks lady.¡± Skaldi cheekily said to Florato as he hopped back to Vega¡¯s side. ¡°Now do you have an idea for a song?¡±

    ¡°Maybe¡­ a song about the future?¡± She said all unsure.

    ¡°That¡¯s an idea.¡± Skaldi clicked his tongue as he came into a realization. ¡°What do you want to do after we¡¯re done with the bank?¡±

    Vega shrugged.

    ¡°You¡¯re fucking with me right?¡±

    ¡°No?¡±

    ¡°Then why don¡¯t you know?¡± Tilting his head, the elf beckoned her for a real response.

    ¡°Well¡­ I¡¯m okay with-with staying with you guys.¡±

    ¡°That¡¯s not a real answer. That¡¯s not enough.¡± Skaldi put a hand to his chin. If he were completely honest, her answer almost sounded like his before the Concert of Combat. ¡°At least, not enough for a song¡­ Why not the past?¡±

    ¡°What?¡±

    ¡°You do have a past, right? Then why not write about it?¡± He asked genuinely, eager to see Vega¡¯s curious mind explode with mania. He needed to see her alive and spontaneous. He couldn¡¯t handle the tense atmosphere right now.

    And with just that, Vega¡¯s eyes widened in thought, as she now had enough inspiration. Perhaps¡­ too much.

    ¡°My dreams and my desires.¡± Speaking sentimentally, she recalled a distant memory. A time where she was surrounded by wilderness and yet became so understood. She remembered the cave illuminated by moonlight.

    ¡°Things are so colorful.¡± The strings she played were pure beauty "And it''s possible that I¡¯ve found¡­¡±

    ¡°Found?¡± Skaldi nodded his head in beat to Vega¡¯s playing, now hitting the cymbal lightly in sequence

    ¡°Found a fountain in you. A familiar youth in me¡­¡±

    ¡°Oooo woah woah!¡± Skaldi cried out, getting excited by the song, ready for Vega¡¯s singing. But her strumming of the guitar stopped and her eyes went blank.

    She was hearing something¡­ no¡­ feeling something.

    Failure.

    ¡°Vega? Are you okay?¡±

    ¡°What!?¡± Vega jumped back, falling flat on her back.

    ¡°You were doing good. What happened? Why did you stop?¡±

    Her eyes seemed to be more irregular than usual, as the Voice¡¯s power remained steadfast in her soul. Just as she barely got to savor the memory of the cave, she was reminded of her weakness. Her dependance.

    ¡°Nothing¡­ ya mind helping me again?¡±

    ¡°Sure.¡± Skaldi¡¯s excitement slowed as he made a mental note to be cautious for whenever she would seem different. As he reached out for the cymbal once more, Vega held out her hand. She instead pointed to the black sheet.

    ¡°You want me to-¡±

    ¡°Yes. Please.¡± The scarecrow¡¯s smile didn¡¯t return, but Skaldi gave a comforting gaze. She felt better, but not enough to smile again.

    He grabbed the sheet, it read¡­

    ¡°Dear Mother,

    I wrote this letter in Iozian to show that my studies are quite well. I¡¯m learning the language quickly and Kaliber is helping me a lot.

    Everything is going at the Yita Academy. I¡¯m glad that you¡¯ve sent more students here. Always a treat to have kids my age.

    However, the school has hired even more guards in response to the influx of people. The palisades they have built have been replaced by brick fortifications around the farmsteads. I hope it doesn¡¯t mean I¡¯ll have to leave. I¡¯d like to finish the song I¡¯m making for you.

    It¡¯s been a while since either of you have visited. Galataii isn¡¯t here and it''s been a few months since she left. I know you told me that she is looking after you, but I wish you would at least see me more.

    Regardless, Kaliber has been teaching me the guitar well. She really enjoys maintaining her appearance and that powder she always puts on makes me sneeze. When bribing the teachers didn¡¯t work Kaliber just threatened to boil them alive. She is very nice.

    We finished naming the cave. We named it ¡°Cave Shitfuck¡±. Very clean and tasty sounding, don¡¯t you think?

    We took my friend there and to be honest, it was the most safe place I have been in a while. Not in the way walls and armor make one feel safe, but¡­ something more mystical. Almost celestial.

    The last letter you sent was pleasant, but I wish that you wrote more. At least, more than four sentences. I know you are sick but¡­ I want to hear from you more often.

    I want to let you know that you don¡¯t make me feel weird. That no matter how you are or how you may feel about yourself, I accept you. You¡¯re my family. So please¡­ don¡¯t be idle. To remain a memory.

    Don¡¯t remain a voice from a land far away.

    From,

    Ena.¡±

    ¡°... Hey Vega?¡±

    ¡°Yeah Skaldi?¡±

    ¡°...I have no fucking clue what this says. It is too hard to read.¡±

    ¡°That doesn¡¯t matter. I¡¯m just glad ya helped me.¡±

 Chapter 36: Remember Calvin?

    Chapter 36: Remember Calvin?

    Normally, I wouldn¡¯t care to send aid to random and unpredictable folk. Due to them being as secure as pebble in an earthquake, and it having no immediate benefit. Sometimes, there are people you shouldn¡¯t bother with.

    Dismas cared enough about Vega that he set out to find her. Well, finding her was the excuse he used when he took his first vacation in decades.

    The mailman, now turned Cold Cavern¡¯s head courier, commanded the caravan before Dismas. Three wagons protected by four guards and two horsemen scouting ahead. Dismas knew that bandits roamed these parts still.

    One of the wagons carried Dismas and a few of his literate colleagues. The rest of the wagons were decidedly empty for the sake of bringing goods (stuff that Dismas really wanted to buy) back to the village. Luckily, the Captain would be acting as regent for the Cold Cavern, which allowed Dismas to relax as best as an overworked ruler could.

    ¡°How far is Core Civitus?¡± Dismas requested, as two of his colleagues had been hogging the map for quite a while.

    ¡°We¡¯re making good pace. We should get there when night starts to come.¡±

    ¡°Good. It¡¯ll sure beat staring at pure wildness for the past hours.¡± Dismas went to light his tobacco pipe but stopped when he saw a strange building pumping heaps of smoke. Water wheels crushing grain, bakeries working around the clock, and hundreds of soldiers planting fast growing cereal crops.

    Dismas ordered his men to see the grain factory. He hadn¡¯t even heard of such a thing being so close to him. Funnily enough, in both shape and color, the factory resembled a loaf of freshly baked bread. Delicious steam and warm browns made the whole sight delitable, and made Dismas quite hungry.

    When the wagons stopped, the working soldiers only lifted their heads for a couple moments before returning to work. Dismas stepped down and walked to the most intelligent looking soldier, who was idle and cutting an apple with a knife.

    ¡°Hello soldier.¡±

    ¡°Hail! You seem rich.¡± He said with chunks of apple in his teeth.

    ¡°You wouldn¡¯t believe it!¡± Dismas snickered as he spoke. ¡°What¡¯s all this then? I thought we¡¯re going through a famine?¡±

    ¡°We are. Well, we were commissioned by the Oligarch to restore old industries that had been left alone.¡±

    ¡°All in preparation for the war effort?¡±

    ¡°Indeed.¡± The soldier answered. Dismas turned slowly, taking in the sight of industry and progress.

    ¡°Well. Progress develops best when smart folk work with the laborer.¡± Dismas said.

    ¡°Something like that. By the way, what are all you doing here? Who are you?¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m Mayor Dismas. We come from Cold Cavern.¡± He raised his hand to his comrades, which the mailman promptly waved back, like an excited dog.

    ¡°Really?¡± The soldier leaned back in surprise.

    ¡°Yes. Why? What¡¯s wrong?¡±

    ¡°Well, I could have sworn that a scarecrow came from that direction a few months back.¡± The apple man answered, pausing his eating.

    ¡°What?¡± Dismas'' mouth and eyes opened high.

    ¡°Yeah, I heard that she was talking about a voice or something?¡±

    ¡°Huh.¡± He opened a pocket on his shirt, taking out the letter Vega first sent him. ¡°A voice. She heard a voice.¡±

    ¡°She got anything to do with what your folk are doing out here?¡± The soldier offered a slice to Dismas, who promptly refused.

    ¡°Vega. Her name is Vega. She recently came into a lot of money and well¡­ sent it back.¡±

    ¡°Who sent what back?¡± An authoritative voice shot out, catching the attention of the mayor and the working soldiers. From out of the main building of the factory, a centurion holding a pamphlet stepped into view. On a stairway above the mayor, he was writing on a pamphlet documenting production. ¡°Because I swear if we didn¡¯t get our weeks¡¯ supplies.¡±

    ¡°No centurion.¡± Dismas climbed onto the stairway and came close to the centurion¡¯s face. ¡°Vega. She passed through here? Correct?¡±

    ¡°Vega? That scarecrow spirit?¡± The centurion laughed, reminiscing on his encounter with her.

    ¡°Yeah whatever-she passed through here? Said she was following a voice?¡±

    ¡°True. Had her protect some beans for us. Why you ask?¡± The centurion confirmed Dismas¡¯s suspicions. Vega had a real impact on the world, and this was only the beginning of what could be magical. Not real magic, but you get what I mean.

    ¡°Listen. I need some extra men. I need some workers, some soldiers, and a man to help lead them.¡± Dismas frantically listed.

    ¡°What? You planning on building an army?¡± The centurion said jokingly.

    ¡°Yes.¡± Dismas communicated his ambition in a serious tone. The centurion took a glance towards the apple man, who nodded. Upon seeing the nod, he put down his pamphlet and pencil.

    ¡°An army you want? Well, what¡¯s your price?¡±

    ¡°Huh?¡± Dismas was taken aback, surprised at their genuine attitude.

    ¡°You¡¯re a mayor, right? Me and my men are ready to go. We have more than enough equipment. Plenty of workers to continue production, so long as you pay them/¡± The centurion said with a big smile, full of admiration. ¡°What needs doing?¡±

    Money can¡¯t buy you happiness. But for everything there¡¯s gold. And if one of those things was roughly a hundred soldiers and a caravan big enough to supply them, then gold can definitely buy it.

    If you discover this tale on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the violation.

    Due to Dismas¡¯s position of being Mayor, he could freely recruit idle soldiers as long as he paid the Oligarch they served under. For a century of troops, Dismas paid twenty thousand gold for recruitment and supplies.

    Not only this, but an additional ten thousand for the construction materials needed to build the many projects for Cold Cavern. Sending twenty soldiers to upgrade Cold Cavern, he kept the remaining amount and traveled onward to Core Civitus.

    As Dismas¡¯s army marched into the city, the forests overlooking it were overgrowing and there were no logging camps. Dismas imagined that he might have forgotten about the New Years celebration.

    Even with the many gravestones along the street, the road to Core Civitus felt lonely. All that remained was a single family partaking in a burial.

    ¡°Huh. For a place as big as this, and only one burial. Something¡¯s off¡­¡± Dismas waved his caravan to stop. Snapping his fingers to two guards, each flanked his side as he walked to the family.

    ¡°Recor bless you.¡± Dismas tipped his hat to the grieving family. Two elders bowed and a blonde priest nodded.

    ¡°Recor bless you sir. What brings you here?¡± A voice too young came out from the priest.

    ¡°I wish to know what is happening in Core Civitus.¡± Dismas assumed an aristocratic posture, with a hand placed on the pommel of his sword. ¡°Strangely quiet, is it not?¡±

    ¡°Aye sir. Next week is the beginning of Suncatch¡¯s war season.¡±

    ¡°So early? Is it the famine?¡±

    ¡°No sir. No it is not.¡± The priest''s forehead wrinkled as he went to place a flower on the grave. ¡°Bandits. No, bandits funded by Tripolians. Had their arrows, our ships.¡± Dismas let the priest speak. ¡°This one here¡­ was an unfortunate one.¡±

    ¡°They raided Core Civitus?¡± Dismas interrogated, half sorry and half angry.

    ¡°Aye.¡±

    Everything back in Cold Cavern was smaller now. Not because of the size of the city, but of the size of the lives living. And in all of the Oligarchy. He had to do something. He wanted to do something. To help.

    ¡°Here.¡± Dismas handed off a few silver coins to the family and priest. ¡°I assure you. I will do everything in my power to prevent such tragedies from taking place again. Recor bless you.¡± Dismas shifted his heels and proceeded back to the caravan.

    ¡°Recor bless you.¡±

    Planks, and the hammering of nails replaced the hustle and bustle of the city. Frames of boats were being constructed, as fleets of navy recruits practiced rowing. From tall wooden platforms, each man in only skirts and trousers, rowed in unison. An officer would yell heavily, the rower would yell ho. Heave. Ho. Heave. Ho. Songlike chants, but this wasn¡¯t pleasing.

    Skinny abs flexed and arms pulled and pushed. As Dismas observed their training, he saw women and children carrying pots of wine and water to the men, maintaining their stamina. Their order of processed wood and sweat nearly overpowered the Core¡¯s scent.

    It took Dismas¡¯s army half an hour to process through. The security was on high alert, despite the centurion¡¯s pleas. No matter who, everyone was under equal suspicion.

    When they got inside the walls, the mood was notably more positive. Crowns of leaves or flowers were placed on the necks of the hardworking men and women who helped craft the boats. Although the streets had few passing carts or horses, the sidewalks and canals were packed. Whether this be a sign of stability or chaos, Dismas did not know.

    ¡°Mailman.¡± Dismas called him over.

    ¡°I have a name, you know.¡± He sassily responded.

    ¡°Not this again¡­ fine. Juli, this is the place you used to work?¡± Dismas didn¡¯t want to fight again so he conceded.

    ¡°Yes. We got a big order and I had to deal with it. Happened a month after the Concert of Combat.¡±

    ¡°Right.¡±

    ¡°Are you not going to ask me how it was?¡± Juli probed.

    ¡°Why? So I can hear about how a man beats another man for entertainment? Ha!¡± Dismas scoffed.

    ¡°The way you worded that sounds kind of homosexual.¡±

    ¡°The sport is kind of homosexual.¡± The Mayor insisted.

    ¡°Nevermind. What about my job?¡±

    ¡°They have boats?¡± Dimas questioned, now taking out a notepad.

    ¡°Nope. We¡¯re land and sky, but no boats. The Oligarch confiscated them in preparation for the war season. Why do you ask?¡± Juli tilted his head to Dismas, who continued to write numbers on his notepad.

    ¡°Hmm. Well, if I have soldiers, I have to send them somewhere. Right?¡± Dismas was unused to explaining his thinking, much less his imagination. He had a plan, but one that he could not yet communicate.

    ¡°Soldiers tend to need that, yes.¡±

    The two decided to enter into the mailing office, with the passing messengers and equestrians being notably quiet. Dark brown wood made the room into a bleak forest, with the reflective stone floor a moon shade. Men reached packages that Dismas knew were badges for soldiers.

    Equestrians received military horse shoes, messengers transport lists of names of those being conscripted. Two men drank together in a corner. One woman wore a set of bronze plates, all cheap armor. She had been ordered to join the army.

    Dismas didn¡¯t look at them, understanding the mood was cold. He and Juli came to the corner and waited for someone to service them.

    After a couple minutes, a man with purplish eye bags arrived.

    ¡°Hello sirs. How can I help you?¡± The man asked. Dismas sucked in air slowly and stacked five silver on the desk.

    ¡°A scarecrow named Vega was here a month ago. She sent money to Cold Cavern. Do you know where she went?¡± Dismas interrogated. The people in the office turned to him and went to grab daggers and weapons.

    ¡°We don¡¯t negotiate with bandits.¡± The man told, pulling out a saber and placing at Dismas¡¯s neck. He stood still, unfazed by the room¡¯s reaction.

    ¡°I¡¯m no bandit. I¡¯m Mayor Dismas of Cold Cavern.¡± Dismas pulled out a white metal badge depicting a sunflower. Everyone put their weapons away, with Juli reassuring the man behind the desk.

    ¡°Sorry sirs.¡±

    ¡°No worries. I¡¯m looking for her and where she went?¡±

    ¡°Why?¡±

    ¡°What do you mean why?¡± Dismas was stunned by the man¡¯s tone.

    ¡°Because I don¡¯t know why you¡¯re going after her. You gonna steal the rest of HER money?¡±

    ¡°She donated to the hospital mayor. That same hospital saved my brother during the bandit raid.¡± An equestrian added. Dismas was confused. Vega must mean a lot to these folk.

    ¡°Calm down. I don¡¯t seek to take anything from her.¡± Dismas held out his arms in a friendly manner.

    ¡°Then what do you plan to do?¡± The man questioned.

    ¡°...I want to help her. Is that enough?¡± Dismas admitted the truth. ¡°When I got that money from her, I went to work. Cold Cavern has never been better. In fact, before the money came, the famine was taking its toll and I couldn¡¯t do much but wait.¡±

    Dismas turned to the other men in the room. ¡°Now, because of her, I have power. The power to do what¡¯s right. And I believe that she is still out there. Doing good. So please, help me to help her.¡±

    The room froze for an instant, not a moment longer. It had been a long time since they had felt real inspiration. A real drive.

    ¡°Alright sirs. I¡¯ll tell you.¡± He leaned forward to Dismas and Juli¡¯s faces. ¡°From what I remember, a boy named Luiocles gave her an object of great importance to transport to Periatus. Uvi Jantok, the capital. I don¡¯t know what it was, only that she took it and left town with an actress. That¡¯s all I know¡­.¡±

    Sitting beside the Titanica river, Dismas admired his fleet and his soldiers. Three ships, plenty of men, and enough blackpowder to level a city block. Now only having five thousand gold, Dismas set it in his personal bed quarters. As the last bit of supplies were being loaded on, he approached Juli.

    ¡°You think she¡¯s alive?¡±

    ¡°Do you actually care?¡± The mailman responded.

    ¡°Kind of? I mean, she¡¯s a good gal but damn she¡¯s not right. Did I tell you she nearly killed a girl once?¡±

    ¡°No?¡±

    ¡°Oh. Well¡­ remind me to tell you sometime.¡± Dismas chuckled, with Juli shaking his head in disappointment.

    ¡°You know, as much as I get annoyed with you, I like this job. Kind of.¡± Juli said.

    ¡°You know, I can say the same thing.¡± Dismas spoke to the emerald waters ahead.

    The army set sail, onwards to Uvi Jantok. Hoping, believing that all they would encounter would only be a silly scarecrow. Dismas could only believe.

 Chapter 37: Alone Together

    Chapter 37: Alone Together

    Her act of seeking others out is a selfish one, but she isn¡¯t at fault. No one could have foreseen her developing a love for people despite her presence being disturbing.

    Not even me.

    ¡°We are anchored! The time has come.¡± Bolato hopped down from the stairway, as the sprinkling of rain and thunder dancing high in the clouds started.

    As the yellow fog of the island moved like waves of the ocean, puddles formed on the top deck, soaking Vega¡¯s new¡­ outfit in rainwater.

    Florato and Skaldi were tying a series of belts and blankets onto Vega, making her normally thin frame a thicker and almost muscular one.

    ¡°Here¡¯s hoping this will be enough. You said the thing that tried to fight you guys was ¡­.how tall?¡± The actress placed a cheap metal bucket on Vega¡¯s head, now triple checking that all of the armor on her was tied.

    ¡°Tall as a tree. Gigantic and mean.¡± Skaldi took one more glance at Vega¡¯s eyes to make sure she was not anxious about going to the island alone. Her grin didn¡¯t buckle, so he continued. ¡°And mushrooms for a face.¡±

    ¡°Must have been scary.¡±

    ¡°What-what was scary?¡±

    ¡°The giant elf guy that was chasing us? Remember?¡± Skaldi flicked her bandage nose while Florato flicked the elf in the forehead.

    ¡°Don¡¯t blame her for forgetting things. You¡¯d be surprised what she doesn¡¯t remember.¡±

    ¡°You¡¯d be surprised by what she does remember.¡± Sassy in his response, Skaldi laid a hand on his hip and jabbed at the actress with his elbow.

    ¡°I like it when people talk about me. Makes me feel-feel secure.¡±

    ¡°Really?¡± Kaliba chirped on her head, slamming its beak into her bucket helmet.

    ¡°Hush now you two. Need to finish securing it to your head.¡± Pulling hard on the last bits of string and stepping back to see their work, all they saw was a mesh of different fabrics and whatever metal that could protect the scarecrow.

    Since Vega didn¡¯t have the same weight as a person or the same size to wear armor, the team made a makeshift body.

    Protective? Yes.

    Ugly as shit? Also yes.

    ¡°Alright.¡± Bolato said as he yawned and stretched out his arms. ¡°Repeat the plan.¡±

    ¡°Aye aye sir-sir!¡± Saluting, Vega¡¯s face shifted to a military fashion, that much like the guard back home. ¡°I will head into Tuivi¡¯s Rest, find the port with the boat transferring the supplies, and steal the contents relating to Operation Stomach Breaker from the Tripolians. It will be landing today, on the fourteenth day of the thirteenth month.¡±

    ¡°And?¡± Florato crossed her arms and leaned forward till her face took up all of Vega¡¯s vision.

    ¡°And¡­ uhhhhh¡­¡±

    ¡°You¡¯ll take care of yourself?¡±

    ¡°And that your hard work is worth it?¡± Skaldi insisted, following in Florato¡¯s actions. In a twist of normal events, the actress and the elf stood side by side in their stern remainders to Vega.

    ¡°I¡¯ll try to?¡± Bewildered by their silly teamup, Vega backed up and gave a few nods. They both leaned back and put their hands on their hips simultaneously. Turning his head to Bolato, Skaldi waved him over.

    ¡°You sure we can trust her with the map?¡±

    ¡°Skaldi, she traveled from Cold Cavern all the way to Core Civitus all on her own without getting lost. I¡¯m sure she can follow the instructions.¡±

    ¡°While there¡¯s a storm going on?¡± He responded, stepping to Bolato¡¯s side.

    ¡°That¡¯s the idea.¡±

    ¡°And if I-I get into any trouble, I¡¯ll ask Ren for help. He¡¯ll be in the river beside me.¡± Vega poked her head over the railing, waving at the family of mermaids ready to join her.

    ¡°You got all of the equipment?¡± Giving firm taps at her backpack and numerous belts, Florato felt the many varieties of tools that Vega in the best case scenario, wouldn¡¯t need to use.

    ¡°Yep-yep. Got flash sticks, caltrops, the weird balls Skaldi gave me.¡±

    ¡°They¡¯re called ball bearings and you know it!¡±

    ¡°Right. And if all goes wrong, that flare ya gave me.¡±

    ¡°Good.¡± Closing her eyes and putting two fingers to her head, she wiped a bead of sweat from her brow. Suddenly, she felt Vega wrap her arms around her waist.

    ¡°I¡¯ll do good! I promise ya-ya.¡±

    ¡°I know you will.¡± Giving her a hug back, Florato squeezed at Vega¡¯s shoulders and let her go. As she began to walk off the ship¡¯s bridge to the sandy shore below, her hands clasped together. She couldn¡¯t handle seeing another person she cared about getting hurt.

    Reaching halfway and stopping slowly, her feet felt like boulders were weighing her down.

    ¡°Hey Skaldi?¡±

    ¡°Yes?

    ¡°Promise that we¡¯ll finish the song?¡±

    ¡°Promise! No need to worry.¡± His voice was almost everything she needed. It sounded the same when he comforted her. She felt recognized. Almost.

    ¡°Are you guys sure this will help you?¡± The only hesitation in her mind wasn¡¯t about her own safety, her listening to the rhythm of the island, or how she would get back.

    The only thing holding her back was the fact that she would be alone. Alone without friends.

    Kaliba would be there, sure. But¡­ there would be that aching loneliness that happens in the times between friendship. In the times between work. In the times between happiness.

    ¡°Absolutely, now get to it!¡± Bolato ordered, pointing toward the direction the river was heading. Accidentally mean rather than stern, Bolato felt a bit bad for her. But he didn¡¯t apologize, this was how it had to be. Giving the scarecrow a salute, Vega saluted back and marched towards the spores. Within seconds, all of her body vanished without a trace, like dust in the wind. The only guarantee that she would return was the river and the waves of the mermaids following her.

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    Right there, that guarantee felt more like a belief to the Skaldi. He could only believe, as uncomfortable as it was to say. Rain poured down from the sky, and a thin stream fell to his eye that was no more.

    Weirdly, Kaliba didn¡¯t seem the least bit disturbed by the spores. Then again, this is the same bird that outdrank an Iozian.

    ¡°Kaliba, are ya sure that ya want to stay above the umbrella?¡±

    ¡°Yes-yes.¡± The crow in an eerie mimicking of a person, laid on its back and put its wings behind its head, as if he were soaking in the sun on a hot day. Except he was just soaking in water.

    ¡°Suit ya self.¡± Vega giggled as she took out the map. About the size of the book cover, the map depicted the island in simple detail. Tuivi¡¯s Rest had the vague shape of a crab¡¯s claw, with the river Huidi bisecting most of it until it reached the north east most tip. On that tip was drawn Skyward Shroom (clever, I know), the source of the river.

    Bolato judged that where the port is, if there even was one, had to be between the claw points and above the river next to the coast. Marking a general zone to investigate, Vega headed in the direction. It wasn¡¯t a big island, but it certainly wasn¡¯t no quick walk. If all went well, she¡¯d be back within half a day and with plenty of loot. If it all went sour, she¡¯d wouldn¡¯t be back.

    That wasn¡¯t the problem. The real danger was Vega¡¯s unstable emotions. That place where memory keeps us all. Weeds like being no good to anyone run rampant Where the imagination of friendship and love can¡¯t exist in those fields of life. Perhaps in the future, but for Vega, not now.

    ¡°Don¡¯t stop. Don¡¯t let go.¡±

    ¡°What?¡±

    ¡°Nothing!¡± Vega blurted out, feeling a little better that someone could talk to her. This boost of encouragement sent her running off in the direction of the marking. A manufactured and very self conscious enthusiasm, but enthusiasm nonetheless.

    Taking to skipping, the scarecrow¡¯s joy made an effort to purge all unsavory thoughts from her head.

    The land around challenged this. Trees extended into the sky until the spores made their trunks fade. Fungus in the shape of brown teeth created arcades across the bark and flesh of the woodland. The only plantlife unmolested by the growths were red bushes with rounded needles instead of leaves. Even the mushrooms had mushrooms on top of them, like barnacles on the underside of a ship.

    Keeping the river to her left, Vega¡¯s sense of safety pushed on if a bit weakened. Taking to singing aloud to herself, she broke on in song, revitalizing her spirit.

    ¡°I feel like I¡¯m finally unbroken. Feel like I¡¯m back from the dead!¡±

    Yeah that.

    ¡°Out of my way cause I¡¯m red!¡± Crying out, realizing momentarily that what she said made no sense, she giggled in embarrassment.

    ¡°Idiot.¡±

    ¡°Shut up. I¡¯m having fun-fun.¡± With her eyes closed and arm up high, she felt that weightlessness that comes from jumping high up. For a second, Vega didn¡¯t feel her feet hit the ground. Then another second had passed. And then another.

    The scarecrow fell down a hill.

    Tumbling down like a wheel of hay (clever again, I know), she bounced off whatever was in her way. Rocks sent her flying up and crashing back down, bushes stuck leaves between her armor, and trees sent her rolling off in other directions like a pebble on a gameboard.

    At the bottom of the hill, she finally stopped when a pile of mud next to a pond forced her to fall into it slightly.

    ¡°That was more fun-fun!¡± As she cheered, the umbrella landed gracefully in the pond beside her, with Kaliba holding the map in its beak.

    ¡°Idiot.¡±

    ¡°Whatever.¡± With a strain in her voice, she pushed herself out of the mud and picked up the umbrella and put the map in her backpack. ¡°But ya right, I should probably be careful.¡±

    ¡°~Need some help?~¡± Swiftly turning her head to the voice, she saw the head of Ren poke out from the river above her. A small opening from the river to the pond allowed him to swim over.

    ¡°Absolutely!¡± She cheered yet again, until she realized Ren¡¯s face was that of lack of understanding rather similar mania. ¡°~Oh, yeah!~¡±

    An hour strolled by, with the heavy yellow spores and rain not letting up in the slightest. Every couple minutes Ren would have to swim down to regain his breath. This was the first time that the two were on equal terms and spoke.

    ¡°~So¡­ what are you thinking about?~¡± Sheepishly asking, almost fearing her odd demeanor would suddenly jump out at him like a shark.

    ¡°~Okay. I¡¯m better now that ya are here.~¡± Vega brushed her hair, shaking off some water in the process. Ren detected a vague vulnerability in her, one that he hadn¡¯t seen before. On one hand, he was very off put by her persona, almost crushed under it. On the other hand, she seems so empty without it, to the point where he missed it.

    She seemed so confident and loud, and now she wasn¡¯t quite as vocally big. Not introverted, but different enough that he knew something was off.

    ¡°~You remember the stuff the redhead asked for?~¡±

    ¡°~Yeah?~¡±

    ¡°~What would you like? We can show you a catalog of goodies!~¡± Speaking like a salesman, he tried to entice her into that roaring sociability she has.

    ¡°~Don¡¯t know. I¡¯ll ask Skaldi or something. He¡¯s helping me make a song.~¡± Her speech picked up a bit, taking a bite at the offer. Ren smiled, glad to have kickstarted her again. ¡°~But maybe I should ask Valiato¡­ whatever.~¡± Just as soon as it came, her voice slowed again, remembering what was behind her.

    ¡°~Vega?~¡±

    ¡°~Yes Ren?~¡±

    ¡°~What¡¯s wrong?~¡± His hand grabbed at her leg, forcing her to pause and really think about what she wanted. What she needs so desperately.

    ¡°~I need to help people.~¡± Her answer seemed so comical that Ren couldn¡¯t help but laugh. When he realized she was sincere, his shyness reappeared in shame.

    ¡°~O-oh. I thought the opposite?~¡±

    ¡°~Kinda?~¡± Vega sat down on the watery grass, making a splash as she sat down. ¡°~People need me to do stuff, but I need to help them for¡­ my feelings.~¡±

    Ren was taken aback by this. The person that so attentively looked after him, freed his people, and was so interested in him became so understandable. As she said it, all of her actions made sense.

    ¡°~Is that a bad thing?~¡± He tested her, wanting to see how she values herself.

    ¡°~No!~¡± She answered so loudly that it stunned her. ¡°~No. It¡¯s just-just that I need to be happy for myself. That I¡¯m ¡®more than enough¡¯.~¡± Recalling Florato¡¯s words, it warmed her soul in the drowning rain and spores.

    ¡°~Then what¡¯s the problem?~¡±

    ¡°~...Someone I know. Not with me or near me, but someone far away¡­~¡± She kept her voice low and shushed, as if the Voice was with them and had its back turned on Vega. ¡°~Someone I trusted hurt me. Said things that made me think bad-bad about what I¡¯m doing.~¡±

    ¡°~Keep going~¡± Entranced by her thoughts and explanation, Ren¡¯s eyes did not blink. He didn¡¯t even go back under water, only lathering water on his gills.

    ¡°~What it said made me feel wrong. I know what I¡¯m doing and fighting for is-is right, but there is that creeping dark. That uselessness I feel. Like a night with no moon, it haunts me. And I fear¡­ that if I¡¯m alone, I¡¯ll be consumed by that destroying dark.~¡± Her voice went soft, like a child being lectured by their parents.

    And you might be either startled or astonished by this, but Vega¡¯s eyes kept that animated drawn on quality. Her eyes didn¡¯t become human nor her movements mimicking. All of that stream of flowing emotions came out of her, and she would remember this.

    Ren was astonished by all of this. And if he acted there, he would have applauded her on that performance. Instead, he looked at her as if he looked into a pool of still water. A mirror into himself, that¡¯s what he saw in her. Not a scarecrow he saw, but a living being.

    ¡°~Vega, I¡¯m glad you told me this.~¡± He put both of his hands on her palm, staring down as he spoke. ¡°~It¡¯s not easy to just trust people in times like this.~¡±

    ¡°~Especially if they pull you on a boat-boat where you can¡¯t breath.~¡± Vega jokes, making Ren snicker for a couple seconds.

    ¡°~Look Vega, my family. That¡¯s all I have, and that¡¯s okay. It¡¯s okay to rely on others, but you need to have something outside of that.~¡± He lifted one of his hands off her and began to pull her forward. She stumbled when getting up but kept full attention on Ren.

    ¡°~Be it friendship, yourself, whatever it is or however it presents, so long as it''s good and you can do good with it, that¡¯s all that matters.~¡±

    ¡°~Ya make it sound easy.~¡± She let her umbrella fall to her shoulder, as her drive faltered. ¡°~Ya are cool Ren. But I¡¯m not going to see you. I¡¯m gonna leave you eventually.~¡±

    ¡°~That¡¯s okay. We all have to go some time.~¡±

    ¡°~¡­Don¡¯t say that.~¡±

    ¡°~It¡¯s the truth. Seasons change and life changes. But most importantly-~¡±

    ¡°~People change?~¡± Instinctually cutting him off, she realized his point before her mind did. ¡°~And people can grow the strength to move on?~¡±

    ¡°~Huh. You really are something else Vega.~¡± Ren let his hand go off her as she started to push on. Amazingly, in that secluded conversation, Vega gained a pride that all people seeking self actualization. Feeble like candle light but capable of igniting a wasteland of darkness.

    ¡°~You looked at me and gave me that chance. The chance to be saved and to survive. If you can do all of that for me, you can stand up to that voice.~¡±

    ¡°~Ya know what? You¡¯re right!~¡± Projecting her voice far and wide, changing the ugly rhythm of the blighted island, she proclaimed this as true. ¡°I may be a fool-fool, but I can be more. I, Vega, will not fall to you!¡±

    ¡°~Who are you talking to again?~¡±

    ¡°~Uhhh, the voice? I don¡¯t know-know.~¡±

    ¡°~Ha. You¡¯re weird Vega.~¡±

    ¡°~Oh, thank you!~¡±

 Chapter 38: Together Alone (Part 1!)

    Chapter 38: Together Alone (Part 1!)

    She knew that this in its base form was a transitory place. Much like Vein Xinyuai, Jinmai, Fort Jao, and even the great city of Core Civitus, she knew it wouldn¡¯t last.

    The scarecrow wouldn¡¯t be happy staying in one place, especially when she doesn¡¯t know who the Voice is and the mysteries behind the name Kaliber.

    ¡°~For now, I will hold that determination in my heart. To push on!~¡±

    ¡°~You sound really lame.~¡± Ren told her, spinning her focus out of control.

    ¡°~I¡¯ll make your ass lame.~¡±

    ¡°~I don¡¯t have an ass.~¡±

    ¡°~I¡¯ll make your ass ass!~¡± This verbal sparring kept both of them on their toes. Well, technically they both didn¡¯t have toes but- oh whatever. For the past hours, the two kept good company. And you can trust me on this, their conversations were as profoundly dysfunctional.

    At least it had spurred speculative thought such as¡­

    ¡°~Why is a grilled cheese called a grilled cheese?~¡± Ren asked, never having tried dry lander food before.

    ¡°~You do know I¡¯m a-a scarecrow, right?~¡±

    ¡°~Y-yeah, but you should know. Have you never heard or seen a grilled cheese before?~¡±

    ¡°~Sure-sure. I guess its just a nickname? Like, ya have a nick-nick name. Ya family has one for you?~¡± Vega pieced her thinking together with even faster efficiency than before.

    ¡°~Maybe it isn¡¯t because ya are grilling cheese, it''s just convenient.~¡± Picking up knowledge had always been her strong suit, and yet now, she was dispensing it, in a very very very primate form.

    ¡°~Ah, you¡¯re right. Using that logic, it makes sense.~¡± The fact Ren was making any sense from this is either discouraging or mildly amusing. ¡°~My dad calls me ¡®crab skin¡¯ for fun.~¡±

    ¡°~Haha. Do you have any nick names for food?~¡± Shifting her feet so she can better face Ren, she gestured the umbrella towards him. He scratched his cheek for a moment as he wondered.

    ¡°~I mean, ya guys eat-eat barnacles, right?~¡±

    ¡°~One, that¡¯s a racist assumption. Two, you¡¯re correct.~¡±

    ¡°~What¡¯s a racist? Can I-I touch it?~¡±

    You might be shaking your head at their stupidity, and rightfully so. However, this is where it all begins. Where simple curiosity becomes supreme intelligence. GIve it enough time, and watch out!

    ¡°~I wonder what a racist feels like¡­~¡±

    Well¡­ maybe we should wait. Trotting around this great forest, the feelings of fear that so often lurk behind in such lonely places became ever more distant for the scarecrow.

    Yellow clouds became a soft pink mist, spewing out from a beautiful species of shroom. You might have seen me sing praise of it, the Stardust Mushroom. Existing as a color not comprehensible to most sentient beings, but instead as a natural emotion. If described in words, the emotion is most similar to cosmic awe, like viewing stars drifting in the heavens.

    ¡°~What color is that?~¡± Having his eyes open to take in the elegant splendor, Ren wished to come closer to discovering the real exact expression the shroom takes. Luckily for him, Vega was one such person that can describe the true look of the shroom.

    ¡°~I think¡­ I think it¡¯s coffee mug.~¡±

    ¡°~What?~¡±

    ¡°~I didn¡¯t say that! I said coffee mug. No! Why-why can¡¯t I say coffee mug?!~¡±

    Furthermore, any attempt to describe the actual color, even in writing or drawing, always results in describing it as a coffee mug. Even though it is closer to a coffee mug in tone and coffee mug in shade, there is no denying it is the color coffee mug.

    See?

    ¡°~Whatever, let¡¯s keep moving. We shouldn¡¯t be far now.~¡± Ren was correct, as even in this dense part of the forest, drifting bits of rubbish came steadily into the river.

    ¡°He¡¯s right-right.¡± Kaliba chirped despite the obvious language barrier.

    ¡°How did ya understand him?¡±

    ¡°Royal.¡±

    ¡°Ah, right-right.¡± Enjoying the brief silence, Vega considered what she should talk about next. The word royal stuck in her head, and the bargaining Skaldi had for magic stuff did seem promising.

    ¡°~Can ya show me the catalog? Of the stuff-stuff we can get from ya?~¡±

    ¡°~Well, well no. My dad has it, and its a couple miles back.~¡± He spoke with a singsong voice. ¡°~But I can tell you about the general stuff.~¡±

    ¡°~Proceed please.~¡± Putting her fist together in suspenseful eagerness, Vega bowed forward to Ren¡¯s face. He yelped slightly but soon collected his composure.

    ¡°~There''s lots of things. We got coins, most of them eroded. There¡¯s plenty of waterlogged armor pieces and weaponry. Cool to look at if a bit useless.~¡±

    ¡°~Not quite what we¡¯re looking for. Plus, what am I allowed to get?~¡± She demanded, pressing him for more info. The future of her friends were at stake for his people, and she knew Skaldi would want some grant prize as proper compensation.

    ¡°~Well, I¡¯m not the one technically granting you the stuff.~¡±

    ¡°Well who? Is it ya-ya dad or something?~¡± Vega asked.  Ren rubbed the back of his head, as if considering what he should say.

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    ¡°~Sort of? My mother''s side, if that answers the question. As for the amount of stuff, we work all the main details back home. But I know she¡¯s willing to give you three things.~¡±

    ¡°~We get three stuff? Sweet.~¡± Vega cheered, fist pumping as she did.

    ¡°~No. YOU get three things. The elf guy gets two. Everyone else gets one.~¡±

    ¡°~What? Why?~¡±

    ¡°~Because you did the most work and you looked after me. In your own weird way.~¡± Ren wished to clarify and reward Vega for her deeds. He knew interaction meant a lot to her, so he felt that receiving the gifts would be the main event for her.

    ¡°~Okay.~¡± Taken aback by all this, Vega didn¡¯t feel as happy as before. Not that she didn¡¯t appreciate, but she felt it was unfair to everyone else. ¡°~Keep-keep going. Ya haven¡¯t said the rest of the stuff!~¡±

    ¡°~Right! We offer foods and delicacies. Capes made from the finest fish leather. Uhhhh, oh! There¡¯s pufferfish wine-~¡±

    ¡°~That, again, seems more like-like stuff other folk want. I need more¡­ strategy?~¡±

    ¡°~Strategic benefit?~¡± He offered a clarifying phrase.

    ¡°~Yeah that!~¡±

    ¡°~Alright. Then there¡¯s specially made masks to breathe underwater. A master crafted spear made a whale¡¯s fin. Precious pearls and sea gems. Also, there¡¯s a shark jaw that can spit blood if you press them together.~¡± Ren talked about such great artifacts as if they were simple nicknacks and baubles.

    And they were for the mermaids. No real magic items or real world changing trinkets existed for them. For Vega, a lingering question was yet to be put to rest.

    ¡°~What about Soul Gems?~¡±

    ¡°~Well, what¡¯s a soul gem?~¡± Ren asked genuinely. His reaction hit her pretty hard, like a realization about species as a whole.

    ¡°~Oh. Well, it''s a soul.~¡±

    ¡°~Yeah?~¡± Ren leaned forward, hoping for an explanation.

    ¡°~In a gem.~¡±

    ¡°~...And?~¡±

    ¡°~That¡¯s¡­ that¡¯s it.~¡± Vega clapped her hands together, feeling that her response was satisfactory.

    ¡°~...Okay.~¡± And it was!

    Typically if a species¡¯s population is small enough, Soul Gems are statistically impossible to be created. At most, there might be a singular one for a people a hundred thousand strong.

    The reason why humans often produce soul gems is not an intrinsic magical latent ability in them. There¡¯s just more of them and the community formed by humans is massive. That idea stirred together in Vega, but she continued.

    ¡°~None of what ya offered seems like something I¡¯d need. Then again-gain, I¡¯m not your average lady.~¡± She pushed up her hay hair to play into her vague feminine charm.

    ¡°~Uhh, there¡¯s seamen?~¡±

    ¡°~No thanks, I can just ask Skaldi for that.~¡± She said without thinking of the implications. Ren didn¡¯t want to bother but came up with another line of gifts that might better fit Vega.

    ¡°~Tell me where you guys are going. Maybe that can help you.~¡¯

    ¡°~Oh! We¡¯re heading to Uvi Jantok!~¡±

    ¡°~Cool! I¡¯ve never been to their coast. What are you planning to do there?~¡±

    ¡°~... not steal from it. Just¡­ vacation. Yeah¡­ vacation.~¡±

    ¡°~Okay? I don¡¯t know why you¡¯re-nevermind. Why not some gifts that will help you around the city?~¡± The moment Ren finished, Vega nodded several times. ¡°~How about an Oligarch badge? We have a couple of those and that¡¯ll be sure to impress on some folks you mean business.~¡±

    ¡°~Business. And nothing else¡­~¡± Vega tried to look the part of a stoic merchant, forming a triangle with her hands. ¡°~ That sounds good. What else?~¡±

    ¡°~Maybe¡­ a map of the city? An Iozian from there came in one time and forgot it.~¡± Ren offered and was immediately received with another nod. ¡°~ And.. huh.~¡±

    ¡°~What? Why did ya stop-stop?~¡±

    ¡°~That¡¯s kind of all of the stuff that might help you there. Sorry, but I think my mind¡¯s exhausted from trying to come up with cool stuff to get you guys.~¡± He said with real disappointment in himself.

    ¡°~It¡¯s okay. We can work the rest of it lat-~¡±

    ¡°~ No.~¡± Putting a hand to her mouth, Ren wished to speak the truth to her, uninterrupted. ¡°~Vega, there is something I¡¯ve been keeping from you. Specifically, two things.~¡±

    ¡°~What is it?~¡± A faint, chained up part of her wrestled out in her voice.

    ¡°~ We do have two gifts we can grant you. But, my mother felt it would depend on how this mission goes. If you want, I¡¯ll tell them to you.~¡± Ren answered, with a vague regal intrigue. This mystery was too much for her to handle without asking. But before, she wished to respect Ren¡¯s secret.

    ¡°~Would it help us? Would it help you if you didn¡¯t tell?~¡±

    ¡°~I don¡¯t know. Your choice.~¡± He gave her a pretty compromising choice without realizing it. Ren had a playfulness in his answer.

    ¡°~...Okay. Tell me.~¡±

    ¡°~... We may not have whatever those Soul Gem things are, but we do have something we can marvel at.~¡± Pausing before beginning his sentence, he enjoyed seeing Vega¡¯s intent on listening to every word. ¡°~ There is a necklace given to us by the Spirit Triton. Holding rainbow shark tooths tied by the hair of the very Spirit~¡±

    ¡°~Really?~¡± Her religious fervor shot out as she asked.

    ¡°~Absolutely. Swear to Recor it is a real legend. In the hands of merfolk, it does nothing but collect dust. But, we suspect, in the hands of a magic being, it¡¯ll be powered.~¡±

    ¡°~Wait. Why haven¡¯t ya given it to a nymph or other spirit?~¡±

    ¡°~We did already, but no matter who we gave it to, it didn''t work. You know why?~¡± Vega shook her head no.

    ¡°~Because the necklace won¡¯t work if the person in question, ¡®hasn¡¯t earned it¡¯. We weren¡¯t told its abilities, but we know it has power yet obtained. Potential, yet unleashed.~¡±

    Everything that Vega had heard was verbal gold. An almost magical necklace if earned would perhaps bring her and her friends favor. She immediately started giggling, believing that nothing else could top such a boon.

    ¡°~Haha! Okay, well let¡¯s get-get this over with. What¡¯s the second one?~¡±

    ¡°~You¡­ you ever hear the name of Kaliber before?~¡±

    Well¡­ almost nothing else. Standing back up and looking down at Ren with a mixture of worry and need, Vega didn¡¯t know how to feel. Was he a clairvoyant, how did he discover the name?

    ¡°~If you¡¯re wondering, I managed to piece out during one of the sessions you were practicing songs with the blonde lady.~¡± His very mundane telling of events put her concerns to rest. And the smile came back to Vega once more.

    ¡°~Oh! Haha, that makes sense. But yeah-yeah, I know the name Kaliber.~¡± She tasted the name in her soul. Kaliber. For some unknown reason, that name meant something. Not just to herself, but the Voice.

    ¡°~Lucky thing is, I mentioned the name to my mother and she suggested something. She told me it was something that belonged to a Kaliber.~¡± Lowering his voice so that the severity of the discovery, Ren communicated this finding much to Vega¡¯s burning curiosity.

    She¡¯s willing to let go of either but not both.

    ¡°~I can¡¯t ask for both? What if someone else asks for it?~¡±

    ¡°~No chance Vega. She¡¯ll only grant you one or the other. Everything else we offer is fair game, but these two are special for you.~¡±

    A game of judging played out in Vega¡¯s head. The only dice she was playing with was loaded with the question ¡®which will help her friends the most¡¯? Her thinking wasn¡¯t one track, but her reasoning was, sweeping away any illustrious sounding things and taking note of anything of utility.

    Mentally stacking them like cards, she shuffled them and drew two final ones.

    Here there was a lull in her decision. She had already chosen the first two, but these last ones became somewhat personal. Would she take the necklace of hidden magics or would she take the item that was owned by Kaliber.

    Sure, it could possibly be a toothbrush, but the image painted in her mind moved her like a pebble in a flood. If obtained, she would be transported back in the cave overflowing with emotion, now capable of understanding what was wrong with her. Kaliber and all questions surrounding the name were within her grasp, only he she reached out.

    In contrast, the staff had to have tremendous influence even if she didn¡¯t get it to work. A holy relic would certainly lead her friends to safety and legitimize them in the face of those who reject them. In the brightest future imaginable, Vega could bring happiness and aid so many if the necklace truly functioned.

    What future would she choose?

    ¡°~You don¡¯t need to make your choice now. Just take in account what¡¯s at stake here.~¡±.

 Chapter 38: Together Alone (Part 2!)

    Chapter 38: Together Alone (Part 2!)

    Footsteps mixed with the splashing of water entered the port of Tuivi¡¯s Rest. Vega and Ren had found their target. Evening sky became visible, with the spores here noticeably thinner. A few hundred buildings cobbled together by the coastline, with a stone pier occupied by military ships.

    ¡°~This is the-the place. All we need to do is just get to that ship.~¡± Vega pointed out to the ship in question, with high flying sails the color of turquoise. Almost intimidating as that very ship dwarfed some of the buildings in the port.

    The entrance into town was a wooden bridge standing on rocks that peered out of the river. Checking for anyone guarding, Vega threw a metal ball, testing if someone would be alerted. Landing hard in the middle of the bridge, no one came and no noise was heard.

    ¡°~Coast is clear-clear. Get it?~¡±

    ¡°~Just go!~¡± He ordered, with Vega rushing over it, operating a blitzing plan in mind. Reaching the end of the bridge, the city and its style came into view.

    Along the perimeter of the city were systems of geysers that ejected high and at the same time, seeming the reason the air was more humid. On the street Vega could see seemed to be the main one, as there were carts full of ores and material left alone.

    ¡°This place really is something else. But-but where is everyone.~¡± Vega wondered aloud. She took a few testing steps on the blue tiled ground and the noise made a clacking sound. If there were people, there would surely be a lot of noise. ¡°Weird. Must be the bad-bad guys.¡±

    ¡°~Do you see a place where I can join you?~¡± Ren whispered from the river behind her.

    ¡°~Unless ya want to be in a hot geysers, then no.~¡±

    ¡°Sucker.¡± Kaliba insulted Ren.

    ¡°Don¡¯t be mean. It¡¯s not like ya can handle hot water.¡± Vega said, now shaking the umbrella to get Kaliba to be kind.

    ¡°~Vega. You¡¯ll be okay, okay?~¡± Holding out his fist to her, Ren wanted her courage to remain even if alone.

    ¡°~No doubt. Thanks buddy.~¡± Pounding her fist into his, they traded each other smiles for each others¡¯ strength. Soon after Ren ducked back into the water with Vega charting a course for sabotage.

    Sneaking across the main street, lights made by burning strands of leaves light the path. Stepping over grates, she saw systems of great bubbling water chambered between natural rock. Canals connecting the geysers lined along main streets, and every minute boiling hot water flowed upward.

    Using these geysers to mask her movements, once the geysers fired off she would run with all her might until she found a sufficiently sized object to hide behind. Crates, windows, and cultivated gardens protected her from line of sight.

    Within four minutes of this process, she noticed that the main street became barricade. Hastily built wooden stakes had been established midway through. And overlooking them was the ship she needed to get to.

    ¡°Darn it. Maybe I can squeeze past. There-there might be a gap.¡± Vega climbed on top of a cart and kept most of her body behind a building. From her view, she saw a great many armed soldiers.

    These men were different from the raiders, the closest memory that involved land based skirmishing for her. While the raiders in Fort Jao were equipped with bronze discs and helmets paired with basic spears and wicker shields, these men appeared a finer class.

    Not necessarily richer, but a flavor of military pride flashed out of them. Belts were decorated with talismans and charms. Shirts were well fitted and paired with padded trousers. Although their armor was also bronze, most of it was painted a cooked meat color, a delicious golden brown.

    In their hands were spears that sported axe heads and shields glued together wood with animal hides covering them. The scarecrow knew that their occupation was war.

    ¡°That¡¯s a no go.¡± Searching around for a new course of action, her eyes found an alleyway that despite not directing towards the port, could prove to find an unseen entrance. ¡°Here we go.¡±

    Much to her surprise and luck, the alleyway connected back into other squeezed together paths. Close together two story homes created alleys packed with markets full of wares. Plants with long needle-like tongues in boxed off gardens snatched up whatever spores that got through the geysers.

    Feeling more comfortable and not hearing any footsteps, Vega took a chance and went to touch one of them. Putting her right arm next to one, its tongue slashes three times before retracting inside the plant¡¯s bulb.

    ¡°Wow. That¡¯s cool-cool.¡± She raised her arm to her eyes, noticing that the plant managed to get through two layers of her armor. ¡°Maybe I can use this.¡±

    Making a mental note of the plant, Vega ran on in the direction of the port. Getting closer to the port makes certain beats and melodies in her mind. Detecting a sort of mean rhythm this place of controlled chaos became chained up by the marching of soldiers and the organizing of weapons of war.

    Support the creativity of authors by visiting Royal Road for this novel and more.

    Somewhere in the past and in the future, this place is the home of people who have lives of their own choosing. But right now, it is forfeit and Vega hated that.

    ¡°I find the dude that¡¯s behind all of this, I¡¯m gonna punch him in the face.¡±

    ¡°Watch out.¡±

    ¡°Kaliba, saying watch out is more distracting then-¡± The scarecrow tripped on something, and fell forward into a pool of blackish liquid. Pushing herself off the ground, Vega reached out for Kaliba who was too in that same puddle.

    ¡°What did I say?¡± She shook the crow with both of her hands, making Kaliba¡¯s head gyrate.

    ¡°Loooook-¡±

    ¡°Okay.¡± Vega stopped suddenly as Kalbia flew out of her hands. What had tripped was a little less than sickening. Apparently, there was a dead body next to her. The puddle she fell into was blackened blood. Not that it was especially gruesome, it only seemed that the person was executed via arrow in the head.

    In my ratings of deaths, that has to be a four of ten. The headshot brings it up a bit but aside then that, its rather disappointing..

    ¡°Poor lady. She shouldn¡¯t have gone and gotten shot.¡± She poked her head and regarded this situation as one would to a child being punched by a bully. ¡°Now, I¡¯m gonna punch the dude that did this very hard. Like, really really hard.¡±

    ¡°~Move it!~¡± A booming voice yelled as the sounds of moving feet came near. Vaguely Iozian sounding people became louder and louder as the seconds passed by. Believing that her ¡®stealth mode¡¯ wouldn¡¯t work the situation

    ¡°Ya wouldn¡¯t mind if I lay next to ya, would ya?¡±

    No response.

    ¡°Thanks.¡± Vega offered, as did her best impression of a dead person. She tried to recreate the position of the Snake Skin that she killed, but of course she wasn¡¯t the best at simulating its brain and bone caked around the floor.

    A mob of Iozians were being pushed by a team of armed officers down the very alley. All of them wearing vines around their faces and leaves covered where their mouths and noses would be. A key note is that no Blight Elfs were among them, much to Vega¡¯s iconic relief.

    The Iozians treaded carefully around her and the body in the vain effort of respecting the dead. However the Tripolians violated that effort by treating the passing as a simple venture, like they were stepping over a piece of shit.

    And after a minute of playing dead, the people were no longer in sight.

    ¡°You have very pretty eyes.¡± Vega complimented, gently caressing the face of the dead woman. ¡°Well, back to it!¡±

    Trailing behind where the people were led to, Vega soon found herself at the mouth of a whole military operation. Taking to hiding in an empty barrel, she looked out from a hole in it.

    Iozian pirates pushed carts of glittering material, Tripolian priests blessed crates of equipment, all the while finely dressed elders wrote and logged all that was being processed.

    Even though everything in this section of the port was moving and operating, there was an air of tension.

    Not of rebellion or mutiny, but an odd absence. She could see in their movements, like the restless legs of an officer or the lounging around of Iozian bandits.

    In fact, when she gazed at it, the harbor section of the port lacked that fullness a place like this should have. Cold Cavern, while being a village, had ports that always pumped and filled, like a healthy heart. Here there were only four ships that seemed to be in the interest of the Tripolians, as they weren¡¯t unloading supplies from the native Iozian ships here.

    But then it struck her, it all made sense again. The message was written to the Barbed Lass, from that Ani Arma fellow she had heard about. That was the reason why everyone was so off center. They had to be here.

    ¡°Ya seeing this Kaliba? Helping people has a neat way of helping out in the future.¡± Verbally patting herself on the back, Vega didn¡¯t feel that great loneliness she feared. Nor the venomous sadness or anger. All of it faded, like rain on a piece of paper.

    Don¡¯t get too proud now.

    Her vision scattered, as a throbbing pain in her head ricocheted around. The Voice returned to her.

    ¡°What do you want?¡± Vega wouldn¡¯t let this assault go unnoticed.

    Look out to the sea. Close your eyes. Count to three.

    ¡°No.¡±

    Why not? Isn¡¯t that your function?

    ¡°It¡­ it isn¡¯t.¡±

    Why do you think a fool thing like that?

    ¡°I don¡¯t believe it.¡±

    Hmm. You will soon see. Humor me. It¡¯s not like you¡¯ll get caught.

    The strain on her psyche forced her to concede. As soon the pain subsided, she followed the instructions. Look to the sea. Close your eyes. Count to three.

    One,

    Two,

    Three,

    Waiting in awful suspense, Vega slowly opened her eyes. Out there, before the geysers and the spore cloud smoke, there was a faint body. Not a body of water, but a bowl.

    ¡°No. It can¡¯t be.¡± She leaned out of the barrel, knowing what she thought could be true.

    It isn¡¯t. Think again.

    With every passing instant, that feeling of being alone stacked higher and higher. The ship wasn¡¯t the Barbed Lass, instead a backup ship. Whatever or whoever was on it didn¡¯t matter, for its mission was clear. To pick up the documents on the Soft Belly vessel.

    What will you do?

    Worry and the freezing caused by it kept her from responding. The Voice seemed insurmountable to attack. No words nor phrase nor prayer could best it mental combat.

    However, just then, strong enough phrases came to her. Not words that she said, but words that spoke in the voices of her friends.

    ¡°I¡¯m more than enough. What matters is that I try to make a world with less suffering.¡±

    Oh?

    ¡°And¡­ I¡¯m stronger than you.¡± Vega spoke with a pride not earned by birthright or riches, but with the strength of one who created happiness in a world of pain.

    Scared? Absolutely.

    Going against the odds? True.

    And yet, she stepped out of the shadows and made her way. She was going to complete this mission. Even if alone, the kindness of her friends will walk with her in a place of hostility.

    The scarecrow wouldn¡¯t be happy staying in one place, especially when she doesn¡¯t know who the Voice is and the mysteries behind the name Kaliber.

    But Vega would be happy fighting for herself and others, no matter what.

 Chapter 39: Turning the Key

    Chapter 39: Turning the Key

    Now you might be surprised by how Vega is going to do this mission. She is going to.. Now listen closely¡­ walk out in the middle of the open.

    Shocker! I know.

    ¡°Just smile and wave, Kaliba. Smile and wave.¡± Hiding in plain sight was her strategy and it wasn¡¯t without reason. Sure, she was not in exactly friendly territory. But my dear student, you must remember how she presents herself, specifically what she¡¯s wearing.

    Makeshift armor of whatever metal or fabric that could be strapped on her. Not too dissimilar to a bandit¡¯s gear. She tucked a scarf around her face, with the only part of her that could be seen would be the eyes. Although noticeable when singled out, in a constantly moving place like this she¡¯d be unremarkable.

    Well, aside from the bucket helmet. But then again, that made her blend in with the Iozian idiots.

    Plus any attempt at stealth in such a partolled area seemed impossible, let alone the fact she was working against the clock.

    ¡°~Everyone, the ship is arriving soon. Give a good performance and we might be rewarded.~¡± Over on a watchtower, an officer yelled down through a paper megaphone. The Iozian bandits and pirates continued their duties as a majority of the Tripolians got into formation.

    Warehouses laid out with what seemed to be a horde of stolen loot. Vega as moved to the Soft Belly ship took wandering glances at the storage, not enough to alert suspension but enough to get a view of the situation. Eagle standards, coins showing soldiers and Spirits, purifying alcohol, and dice sets. This wasn¡¯t from Tuivi¡¯s Rest, all of this came from all over the Oligarchy. Kai Ren paper bundles, Stryker metal ingots, dried breaker fruit, and books and manuscripts made by Core Civitus authors.

    She circled places and events in a mental map and the idea of how far and wide this really went became clear.

    ¡°Ya know, I never stole anything when I went to those places. ¡°

    Vega kept her head facing forward but spoke to Kaliba who rested on her shoulder. ¡°These guys are no good.¡±

    Making heavy thuds on the stone pier, her object grew closer and closer. Cranes and men overhead in the ship bark orders, the sound of men grunting as they pull ropes in unison are common here.

    ¡°Huh. It¡¯s like when-when I was underneath the Gladiato Ultra. Same sweaty guys too.¡±

    ¡°HEY! Get back to work!¡± A shaven bandit screamed down to her.

    ¡°You got it!¡± Picking up her pace, she turned the corner to where the bridge onto the Soft Belly lay. Currently a line of men were ascending it carrying empty boxes, many of them grumbling and having light conversation. Quickly scooping up a box and getting behind a dark skinned man in orange dress.

    ¡°So¡­¡±

    ¡°What?!¡± The man swiveled his shoulders and arms into her, nearing knocking her off into the water. Clearing her non-existent throat, she made a big bear of a voice.

    ¡°So, what is the deal¡­ man?¡±

    ¡°Oh. Yes.¡± Running his hand through his coily hair, he too cleared his throat. ¡°Everyone will be working in sections. Don¡¯t touch what the snake fuckers don¡¯t want us to touch. Roughly a load of three tons, we should be done within the hour.¡± He leaned over and told the details more to the men around rather than Vega herself. The grumbling among them grew louder for a short period but soon lowered again.

    ¡°An hour?! Ahem, I mean, an hour? That will be past, uh, supper. Yes.¡±

    ¡°I know boy. But these officers are paying us a premium. I say it¡¯s worth it.¡±

    You hear that? You¡¯re doomed.

    This was ridiculous, utterly ridiculous. This can¡¯t work, Vega knew. Summoning up a plan for improvisation, she would not let the Voice destroy her motivation. She had to come up with something. Anything!

    ¡°... I can carry the stuff.¡±

    ¡°Ha! What you say?¡±

    ¡°I can carry the stuff.¡± Vega projected her voice and stood him on her toes, catching the attention of everyone there. ¡°I mean, I bet you can carry all of that stuff, for ten silvers.¡± Closing her eyes hoping that they wouldn¡¯t detect her obvious subterfuge, she tapped her foot fast and put her arms crossed, trying to seem proud.

    ¡°I bet that you can¡¯t, for twenty silvers in under thirty minutes.¡± A hoarse voiced gray haired bloke shouted from the pier.

    ¡°No-no! I bet thirty silvers in twenty!¡± Another man betted.

    ¡°I bet thirty two in seventeen.¡± And then another! Soon as one man betted a more insane dare, three more followed after with increasing more outlandish bets. The dark skinned sailor acted as an auction man, noting the bets as the pier below rioted, all seeking the best bet.

    ¡°I bet seven gold for seven minutes!¡± A blue haired elder sitting on top another man cried out, as all the others gasped in shock.

    ¡°Going once. Going twice¡­ sold!¡± Excitement brewed in all the men as a air of tension started. ¡°You ready to do this boy?¡±

    And Vega? She was all the happier because not only did she believe she could win, but could do it in record time.

    ¡°Ready? I¡¯ve been ready. Let¡¯s do-do this!¡±

    ¡°Ha! Alright. Starting¡­ now!¡± Dashing sp fast that water on her flew off, she ran into the lower levels of the ship. Immediately taking inventory of the format of the cargo, she knew that couldn¡¯t do this without some good ole finesse.

    Yes, she wasn¡¯t going to simply steal the documents from and get out of there. Because that would make too much sense for her.

    This story is posted elsewhere by the author. Help them out by reading the authentic version.

    ¡°Kaliba, any ideas?¡±

    ¡°Simplify.¡± It waved a wing towards a wall of pots with mattresses and rugs before it. Clever, she knew that instead of carrying each object individually, she¡¯d throw them up instead.

    ¡°Just like Bolato did to me. Let¡¯s go!¡±  Skitting across the floor and heaving a mattress into her arms, she laid it at the top of the stairs.

    ¡°Fourteen, fifteen-¡± Hearing the time count, she wasted no time in her tossing of pots. In the motion of a sportsman, she pelted the pots up the stairs at lighting pace. As they reached the fifty mark, she¡¯d run back up stairs and pushed the mattress full of pots towards a net hanging from a crane.

    She wasn¡¯t worried about losing coins, but she grew tense with the count, assuming that when it reached seven minutes, the incoming ship would spell failure. Not stopping to worry, she adjusted the crane right down beside the bandits, with cheers crying out.

    ¡°That¡¯s the pots down!¡± The dark skinned pirate announced.

    ¡°This ain¡¯t over. This ain¡¯t over!¡± A showman''s voice came out of her, with the men now chanting out the count.

    Racing down again, she repeated the process for military sandals, baskets of dried fruit, and everything that she could throw with two hands. When bringing down the final bit of the goods, the count was at two minutes.

    ¡°Making good pace, we should be done before-¡± Stopping in her verbal tracks, the rest of the cargo was stored in long nailed together boxes. Taller then herself, she¡¯d surely snap in half if she even tried to carry one. ¡°...nevermind. What the actually fuck?¡±

    She shouldn¡¯t stop, she can¡¯t stop. Like water in winter, it must keep moving lest it freezes and ceases.

    ¡°Got to come up with something.¡± As her mind scrambled through memory of things used to transport heavy boxes, her mind went to carts. But the carts here were far too big and inconvenient, they¡¯d never fit inside the staircase. Unless¡­

    Flying up the stairs and back onto the main deck, she saw her prize, a cart meant to be operated by two. Reaching her hand into her backpack and pulling it out like it was a sword in a scabbard, she equipped her pickaxe.

    ¡°Don¡¯t fail me now-now.¡± Whispering to her weapon, she jumped high into the air and slammed the metal head into the middle of the cart, splitting it if a bit unevenly.

    ¡°Is he mad?¡±

    ¡°Can it really be done?

    ¡°Oh baby! Here comes my seven gold!¡± All the men had something to say for the scene they were witnessing. As I said previous, it starts with simple curiosity and progress to supreme intellect.

    In one motion she landed and carried the hand cart back down the stairs. Leveling the first tall box with the pickaxe, she carefully and steadily positioned it into the cart.

    ¡°Heave ho!¡± With an explosion of force, she lifted the cart as she charged forwards. The wheel rose high and in just five seconds, she carried the whole box to the top deck, with the bandits cheering her on. Their chanting became a background instrument in the rhythm of work. Like a choreographed dance, Vega cleared the storage space in a matter of three minutes.

    ¡°He¡¯s really gonna do it!¡±

    ¡°That¡¯s five minutes! One! Two-¡± The pirate repeated the count as the scarecrow finished craning down the last of the boxes.

    ¡°The only thing left should be the plans.¡±

    ¡°Go.¡± Kaliba urged her on. Down the stairs she went and searched for anymore boxes. The entire hull had been cleared. ¡°Must be another floor.¡±

    And she was right, seeing a trap down at the rightmost corner of the storage. Kicking it open, it was a brown dark with the sound of scrambling rats. She took off her backpack and placed it on the ground. Shoving her whole arm in, she dug deep for what she needed. Her hand grabbed a stick with a rounded head. Unbuttoning her jacket and taking out a gold piece, she struck at the head, making a great glowing blue.

    ¡°Flash sticks are weird-weird.¡± She said, as she jumped down into the opening, sliding down a ladder. Landing on her feet, she raised the flash stick in front of her. She gasped, as what was in front of her shocked her to her core¡­

    ¡°It¡¯s a chest!¡±

    It was a chest. In fact, it was two chests. Nothing else besides wooden pillars and a family of rats backing away from the light. Knowing that the ship could be there any moment, she slides towards the front of the chest.

    They had been nailed down with silver metal, as an insignia of a wolf''s head engraved on the wood of each chest. Side by side, they were scarily mundane, despite what was inside them. Their sizes was that of a boar, wide and fat and full of nasty guts.

    ¡°Moment of truth-truth.¡± Stepping back up and giving two quick swings to the locks on the chests, she threw them open. Golden parchment shined, radiating a soft yellow across Vega¡¯s hidden face. It almost seemed to dim the light coming from the flash stick she was holding. In these very chests were the plans. The plans. The plans that could shape the future of both the Iozians and Tripolians.

    Sad thing is, she knew she didn¡¯t have space for both. Dumping out all of the contents in her pockets and backpack, flooding the empty room with a random assortment of tools and utility. Every then, there couldn¡¯t be enough space to grab all the plans.

    ¡°No.¡±

    Yes. Don¡¯t even try. Get some help.

    ¡°Shut up.¡± Opening her jacket, she grabbed as much of the plans from each box as she could. Only managing to put three handfuls in her chest before realizing that it hadn¡¯t even reduced the size by an inch.

    ¡°This ain¡¯t good.¡± Her pace slowed as she looked up towards the ceiling. The voices above had shouted the six minute count. She gritted her animated teeth and shot straight up. ¡°I¡¯ve gotten this far on luck-luck. Don¡¯t fail me now!¡± Swinging her at the nailed down parts of the chest on the right. She then poured as many papers into her backpack before considering what was essential for survival.

    ¡°Bandages? Nope! Caltrops? Nope!¡± Giving only a few words, she threw her previously much needed mission equipment in exchange for a better chance that these papers would have great significance. Wordlessly, she put her flare, pickaxe, and Skaldi¡¯s ball bearings. It was much easier than confronting the chests.

    She couldn¡¯t understand the words on the sheets nor did she want to. The weight on her soul wouldn¡¯t be able to make such world-defying acts.

    Heh. A scarecrow deciding the fate of the mightest peoples on the continent. The world is totally fucked.

    Only seconds to spare, Vega climbed from out the ship carrying the chest she didn¡¯t loot from. Pride in their fellow crewmate rose as one by one, the pirates congratulated her on her achievement.

    ¡°Would you look at that? In under seven minutes. Pay up.¡± The dark skinned pirate shoved the elder man in front of Vega as she laid the chest on the ground. His bottom lip puffed out as he held his left arm in humiliation.

    ¡°Don¡¯t worry mister. Keep-keep the gold.¡±

    ¡°Really?¡± He held his head up as a smile grew on her face.

    ¡°Sure! I can always beat you in the next bet-bet anyway.¡± In a genuine voice, the men around her laughed at this obvious joke as they crowded around the old man. He gave Vega a thumbs up and joined the crowd in their now sudden dance, gratefully not to do any work.

    ¡°By the way, how did you find the key?¡± The dark skinned bandit crouched by the chest, rubbing his thumb on the broken lock.

    ¡°Uh. What key?¡±

    For a moment they stare, then the next they laugh together like brothers would. ¡°What key! That¡¯s hilarious! Go grab yourself a drink boy. You¡¯ve earned it.¡±

    Using this opportunity to sneak off, she walked off the bridge and back onto the pier. Gazing back to the horizon, the moon loomed as night began.

    ¡°Psst!¡±

    ¡°Bless you.¡±

    ¡°No-I mean. Psst!¡±

    ¡°Voice? Are ya doing that?¡±

    ¡°No! I¡¯m behind the pots.¡± Stepping over to the pots in a horse cart, red hair could be seen peering over.

    ¡°Skaldi? What are ya doing here? Ya can¡¯t survive the spore-spores.¡± She leaped onto the seat of the cart, seeing both his mask and goggles coated in yellow dots. There was a streak of bluish bruises along his right arm.

    ¡°One, I tuned out my sense of smell. Two, I was wearing four masks two hours ago. And three¡­ I couldn¡¯t leave my friend alone.¡±

    ¡°Aww. Ya do have a heart.¡±

    ¡°Shut the fuck up. He waved her forward as he took off his mask and goggles. Now go ahead and tell me what¡¯s the problem.¡±

    ¡°... What problem-problem?¡±

    ¡°You¡¯re kidding! You actually forgot this time?¡±

    ¡°What do ya mean? Everything is fine.¡±

    ¡°...Then¡­ Then why was there a flare in the sky?¡±

 Chapter 40: No Turning Back!

    Chapter 40: No Turning Back!

    What makes a good criminal? Is it their execution of their plans? Is it the odd brutality they inflict? Or is it their capacity to violate the laws of governments?

    I would say it is not the act itself along with its success, but the drive to defy the unknowing judges of life. Belief, the most deadly, expects one to bow before it as one must bow before gods, heroes, and truth. As so often does belief claim itself to be truth.

    The truth is, all it takes to make a good criminal, along with a good person, is the drive to disobey.

    After all, if a scarecrow didn¡¯t stand up to all that was hateful and destructive, there wouldn¡¯t be as much laughter and love as there was three months ago.

    And also not as many broken bones. So, take that how you will.

    ¡°Well, that¡¯s a change of circumstances.¡± Skaldi poked his head out from behind a wall, looking out to the scene before him. Vega soon followed, gazing out with Kaliba on her bucket helmet.

    ¡°It definitely is-is.¡±

    Both of them knew as soon as they saw them. A soldier with an owl mask, feathers all, was among them and talking to a man in fine garments. That very man shouted loudly and made wide swings with his hands, likely of noble heritage. Not only was there another ship, but they had picked up the survivors of the Barbed Lass.

    ¡°~Thank you, great Runtaii. Now we¡¯ll be able to finish the job.~¡±

    ¡°~Finish your job? Sabere and I will finish your job.~¡± He whistled out to Sabere and the band of Assassins, who instead of being clean and neat like the other Tripolians, were soaked in water as stripes of seaweed hung from their limbs.

    ¡°~But sir-~¡±

    ¡°~But nothing. Sabere, grab the package over in the harbor. You know the precise one.~¡± He casually leaned his hand on his scabbard, treating the Assassin less as a warrior and more of an officer.

    ¡°~Shouldn¡¯t a servant do that¡­~¡± Sabere tried to make a plea before Runtaii started to tap his foot on the ground loudly. ¡°~It will be done.~¡± Sabere saluted and made only two steps to the direction before his master snapped his fingers.

    ¡°~Wait!~¡± Runtaii shook his hands as the young Assassin turned to face his once more. ¡°~What does the flare do again? It¡¯s been a few hours since we sent it.~¡±

    ¡°~Why should I know? Ani never told me either.~¡±

    With him approaching their very side of the harbor, Vega and Skaldi walked backward in unison.

    ¡°Okay, this is fine.¡± Skaldi threw his hair back and began to stretch his arms, readying for a fight.

    ¡°It is?!¡± Vega yelled out, clutching both arms to her head.

    ¡°Listen and don¡¯t panic!¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m not panicking, I¡¯m just glad that it¡¯s fine.¡± She giggled in relief. ¡°So what exactly makes this fine?¡±

    ¡°Well, there¡¯s plenty of Iozians here, so we blend in. And you already got the plans right?¡±

    ¡°Uhhhh.¡±

    ¡°Vega. Tell me you got the plans.¡± Skaldi grabbed by the shoulders and demanded the answer he was hoping for.

    ¡°Technically yes, but actually no.¡±

    ¡°Explain.¡±

    ¡°I have a lot of the plans in my backpack, but¡­ turns out there are so-so much paper-paper that I can¡¯t quite get them all.¡± Vega shrugged, giving her best recounting the situation. Skaldi sucked in breath from his gritted teeth and looked back to where Sabere was walking.

    ¡°That¡¯s fine. Plan hasn¡¯t changed, we just get the hell out of here.¡± Pushing her along and back to where most of the bandits were hanging out, a few of them waved and cheered when Vega passed by.

    ¡°Good job dude!¡±

    ¡°Thanks a million brother!¡±

    ¡°Hey redhead gal! You have a fatass!¡± Skaldi glowed a peach pink and opened his mouth to confront the one that cat called him. When he saw who said it, it was a middle aged lady with an eyepatch as well.

    ¡°Uhh¡­ thanks sister?¡±

    ¡°You got it!¡±

    To say that getting past not only the Iozians but the soldiers of Runtaii was a tough circumstance would be the understatement of the year. At every opportunity, Skaldi searched for a way back that covered their tracks. And everytime there would be a patrol of armed guards, an assembly of officers, or Sabere questioning the bandits where the package was.

    Hearing a small crowd around one corner, the elf smelt beer. Not just any beer, but Iozian beer. The smell was coming from a wealthy painted building with Kai Ren lanterns tied to the wooden balconies and tables.

    ¡°Let¡¯s head-head there.¡±

    ¡°Good idea.¡± Vega held close to Skaldi as they pushed through the mass of people. It didn¡¯t help that Vega¡¯s backpack was stuffed full of the papers, making it big as a barrel. Sure that this would allow them a chance to breathe, they passed through the entrance. They walked on silky carpet and encountered a revolving door of lacquered glass in frames of black wood. Marveling it briefly, Skaldi laid his hand on the glass as the both of them passed through it.

    Inside, it was clear that this was an aristocrat¡¯s home that had been repurposed into a high class bar. Even the bartenders there weren¡¯t the pirate type, as one wore a fabulous toga and the other a tang suit of interwoven gold. The bandits respected their wealth and seemed to take on a relaxed and almost massaged cadence.

    ¡°Hello good men.¡± A waitress with black curly hair and reddened makeup cheeks strutted to them. ¡°We have a table for two if you walk this way.¡±

    ¡°Sure-sure.¡±

    ¡°Thank you so much!¡±

    The table, also of dark wood, had a silver candle stand and plates of white ceramic. Even the chairs had cushions, much to Vega¡¯s loud delight.

    ¡°They even have pillows for ya fatass Skaldi!¡±

    ¡°You do have a fatass ma¡¯am.¡± The waitress complimented the blushing elf, nodding her head to Vega.

    ¡°Thanks. I made it myself.¡±

    ¡°Ya did?¡±

    ¡°Shut up and order something to drink. I¡¯ll pay.¡± He absent mindly pulled out his purse in an environment of big sweaty men, but swiftly covered the amount of money he really had.

    ¡°Will two gold do miss?¡± He said close to her ear.

    ¡°Certainly. What would you like?¡±

    ¡°Booze.¡± Kaliba answered.

    ¡°Booze.¡± Vega answered.

    ¡°Booze. ¡± Skaldi answered with passion.

    ¡°But of course. Any food you¡¯d like?¡±

    ¡°You serve food here?! Uhh, anything you can make in five minutes.¡± Skaldi calmed down and hunched over on the table, glad to be breathing normal air on this island. The waitress left them be, finally allowing them both some alone time.

    ¡°Alright. What were you able to get?¡±

    ¡°How should I know-know? I can¡¯t read Tripolian.¡± Vega elbowed her backpack, making the papers rustle together.

    ¡°Don¡¯t do that.¡± Skaldi grabbed her hand, forcing her to stop moving. After looking side to side to check if anyone was watching them, he let go. ¡°That¡¯s fine. We just have to get out of here alone with the people.¡±

    ¡°Ya want to save the people?¡±

    ¡°Obviously. I wouldn¡¯t want people to suffer when I can do something about it.¡± He spoke as he rested his chin on the table. Underneath her mask, Vega had the most adorable gaze on Skaldi, like watching a kitten grow up.

    ¡°Well, I have an idea-idea for both.¡±

    ¡°Shoot.¡± He gestured with his hands the movements of an archer.

    ¡°I made some friends with the bad-bad guys.¡±

    ¡°I¡¯d be surprised if you didn¡¯t.¡±

    ¡°And I think I can convince them to help-help us out?¡± Vega scratched the table with her glove finger.¡± ¡°And afterwards, we can get Ren to escort some of them out.¡±

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    ¡°Smart. But¡­¡± Skaldi almost agreed with her but he reconsidered.

    ¡°Is it not-not enough?¡±

    ¡°Yet that¡¯s only half the job.¡± Skaldi leaned back in his chair and gave the door a glance before looking back at Vega. ¡°Like, they can¡¯t survive in the spores and they¡¯ll probably become slaves. What to do¡­¡±

    ¡°Leave them.¡± Kaliba suggested the coward''s way out.

    ¡°Silly Kaliba. That option is for pussies.¡± Vega talked down to the crow.

    ¡°I got it!¡± Skaldi whispered loudly. ¡°We don¡¯t need to save them. But what if we got someone else to do it.¡±

    ¡°Huh-huh. Ya mean the pirates?¡±

    ¡°No. Someone much bigger.¡± Skaldi pulled from a pouch on his hip a white ceramic pot that he had used before. However, this was a far more intense and bright violet.

    ¡°Isn¡¯t that stuff ya-ya put on Bolato and your scarves?¡± Vega reached out for it but Skaldi pulled it away, putting a cap on top.

    ¡°Yes, and I think it may be the way out along with saving them people. I think that this might have been the reason that the Blight Elf found us so early.¡±

    ¡°How do ya know?¡±

    ¡°Let¡¯s just say I tested it out before that flare came up in the sky.¡± He tapped on his right arm, showing off the blue bruises. ¡°Still, that doesn¡¯t account for what we are going to do when we leave. The Tripolians know someone is fucking with them.¡±

    ¡°Don¡¯t worry-worry. We have a chance. Ask the bad-bad guys to escort us to the people. Get people to the outskirts of town before the even bigger bad guys show up. Get Ren to bring us back and get out of here with a bunch of paper.¡±

    ¡°Easier said than done.¡±

    ¡°It tends to be that, yeah.¡± Vega replied just as the waitress brought them three cups of sweet beer with two dishes of salted fish and chips. Digging in immediately, Skaldi spared no manners.

    ¡°Here is your order.¡±

    ¡°Thank ya pretty lady.¡± Vega shook her hand, prompting her to chuckle in surprise.

    ¡°You are charmer mister. Also, when you¡¯re done, there¡¯s someone that wants to talk to you.¡±

    ¡°Who?¡± Vega stood up in her chair and the waitress pointed to a man sitting twenty feet from them. Long messy black hair caped over his back as his coffee skin glowed in the lantern light. And his sharp edged face focused on his waiter. Sabere sat in the same bar.

    ¡°Mister, what would you like?¡± A waiter with salt and pepper hair requested his order.

    ¡°I''ll take a Double Triple Bossy Deluxe on a raft, four by four, animal-style, extra shingles with a shimmy and a squeeze, light axle grease, make it cry, burn it, and let it swim.¡±

    ¡°Uhh, but of course!¡± Backing away as if Sabere were a fire, the waiter booked it out of there.

    ¡°Would you like anything else?¡± The waitress sweetly asked, not knowing the terror going on in the two¡¯s minds.

    ¡°Oh. No-no. We¡¯re fine. Thank you.¡± Skaldi spoke without looking at her, putting a hand to block his face from Sabere. She bowed and carried on with her duties. ¡°Damn it. I think it¡¯s time we face the music.¡±

    Vega¡¯s burning emotions demanded to be extinguished. Skaldi put on a facade of humor while Vega failed to muster up that same feigned effort. She needed advice.

    ¡°Skaldi, before we do this thing, can I ask ya a personal question?¡±

    ¡°Didn¡¯t you just?¡± Skaldi joked, trying to recompose himself.

    ¡°I¡¯m being serious.¡± Vega laid her hands across the table, holding onto Skaldi¡¯s right hand. ¡°We¡¯ll do the plan, but can ya help me here. Please.¡±

    ¡°Hey, what¡¯s wrong?¡±

    ¡°It¡¯s about Ren. He told me something recently and¡­ it made me think a lot. A lot about our reward for helping him out.¡±

    ¡°What did he say?¡±

    ¡°...it¡¯s something doing with me. My rewards, specifically two. One might be good for everyone, but the other, it has to do with that name.¡± Vega stared into the ground, still weighing the choices in her mind.

    ¡°You mean Kaliber? That name?¡±

    ¡°Yes.¡± Vega couldn¡¯t look at him, afraid that the Voice would use this opportunity to harm her. ¡°Yeah. And I don¡¯t know what to choose-choose.¡± Skaldi breathed in and sat up confidently.

    ¡°Vega. Look at me.¡± Squeezing her palm, the scarecrow looked back to the elf. He lifted his eyepatch, showing the wounded part of him. His lost right eye was a purple canyon that started to heal. ¡°You have done a lot for us. A lot for me. Whatever that ¡®good for everyone¡¯ thing is, I wouldn¡¯t want you to trade that for yourself.¡±

    ¡°But-¡±

    ¡°But nothing.¡±

    ¡°It¡¯s the Voice.¡± Vega fired back. ¡°The Voice is telling me¡­ these awful things and-¡±

    ¡°It¡¯s wrong.¡± Skaldi stopped her in her self-destructive tracks. ¡°Whatever is happening with you, I might not understand it. But I know when someone I care about deserves more.¡± Getting up from his chair and chugging his cup quickly, he clinked it with Vega¡¯s. ¡°You are more than what you think you are.¡±

    ¡°Haha.¡± She gave a weak but a more self assured laugh. She felt a lot better that Skaldi could say those words in front of her rather than imaging them. ¡°When I get to the dude behind this, I¡¯ll punch him in the face.¡±

    ¡°When we get to the dude, we¡¯ll punch him in the face. Now let¡¯s do this thing.¡± They both walked over as Kaliba ate what they had left. And what they brought was the will to fight.

    Like thunderstorms overhead the sea, Sabere had a hidden violence to him in the bar. Not a concealed blade or stalking arrow with him. Only his tough as steel eyes and the lamp on his hip. Skaldi felt this awful atmosphere around him. He thought of it as a father interrogating his child for secrets. And funnily enough, Skaldi was barely older and yet seemed so immature compared to this Assassin.

    ¡°Hello mister. You wanna speak to me?¡±

    ¡°Yes. I¡¯m Sabere, I work directly for Runtaii. Please sit.¡± He gestured to the open seat. ¡°I¡¯m sorry, who is your elf?¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m Kori.¡± Skaldi lied confidently, believing that Sabere wasn¡¯t accustomed to understanding Iozian.

    ¡°Kor¡­ Kori?¡± Sabere sounded out the false name, giving Skaldi a bit of relief that his lie was believed. ¡°Well met Kori. I don¡¯t have a seat for you.¡±

    ¡°That¡¯s fine. Get to the point.¡±

    ¡°Right. You masked bandit did quite the job.¡± Sabere, using a toothpick, cleaned his fingernails of dirt and sediment. ¡°What¡¯s your name?¡±

    ¡°My name-name?¡±

    ¡°Yes. Your name-name.¡± Sabere was in no mood to be sensitive to Vega¡¯s erratic speech.

    ¡°...It¡¯s Ena. Ena.¡± Vega¡¯s lie was a lot harder to sell, as she only lied unconsciously or when she had been told to lie.

    ¡°Ena. Not a typically Iozian name. Are you Matigas NaTao or something? I don¡¯t quite recognize it.¡±

    ¡°Yeah. Yeah I¡¯m a Matigas.¡±

    ¡°Ena. You managed to transport an entire ton of cargo in under eight minutes.¡± Sabere said with great praise.

    ¡°It was actually seven minutes sir.¡± Vega shyly corrected, not knowing what he was trying to get. Whether he was trying to get her to slip or came here only to reward made her fearful.

    ¡°Even better mister. The reason why I came to see you is one simple reason.¡± Sabere leaned forward, with one hand laying on top of the lamp. Skaldi shifted his feet back and his own hand reached out for his ceramic pot, ready to hatch the plan.

    Vega was sure, no, positive that Sabere discovered her plot. That somehow, he knew who she was and what she did. And that he¡¯d pay her in destruction.

    ¡°Where the fuck is the rum?¡±

    ¡°...What?¡± Vega half laughed out, just as the waiter brought over the monstrosity of a sandwich that Sabere requested. Patties of meat, layers of shredded lettuce, and two slices of toast on each side. Taking two huge bites into it, he clarified while chewing loudly.

    ¡°Runtaii wanted to grab the package of the rum. There was supposed to be a tall set of boxes full of Mirage.¡± Sabere gulped and put the sandwich back down on his plate, leaking beef and cheese juices all over his hand. ¡°Desert Mirage, the best rum of the eastern continents. I was told that you transported it, so where is it?¡±

    ¡°Well, I didn¡¯t open the boxes, I just moved them fast-fast.¡± Vega held out her arms in defeat, not being able to help the assassin in the slightest.

    ¡°Come on! I know Iozians love drinking. Trust me, you wouldn¡¯t be in trouble for taking a couple boxes of it.¡±

    ¡°To be honest, all Tripolian alcohol tastes like shit.¡± Skaldi crossed his arms and rolled his eyes.

    ¡°True. But Mirage doesn¡¯t. Liquid happiness, and I¡¯ll be happier when I get it. Or else Runtaii is going to get pissed.¡±

    ¡°Aren¡¯t you a little young to be this much of an alcoholic?¡± Skaldi ironically confronted Sabere.

    ¡°Aren¡¯t you too much of an elf to be speaking Iozian?¡±

    ¡°What the fuck does that even mean dude?¡±

    ¡°Calm down Kori.¡± Vega waved Skaldi down, relaxing the situation back into its base parts. How is she and Skaldi supposed to get out of there without arousing suspicion? Right then and there, she got it. ¡°We can help you find the rum-rum. But you have to tell us something.¡±

    ¡°I might not be able to guarantee it.¡± Sabere continued to chomp down on his sandwich, not looking at either of them.

    ¡°...Tell us about the flare.¡± Vega boldly demanded, forcing Sabere to stop eating entirely. He swallowed his food and gave a small chuckle.

    ¡°What? The flare?¡±

    ¡°What was it for?¡± Vega pressed on, with a glance up at Skaldi understanding this play. With more information, they could better make their next move.

    ¡°Well¡­ we got a flare from this ship that got damaged in a fight. We haven¡¯t gotten much of the details but we do know that the people are nearby. To what I understand, it was only to signal Runtaii¡¯s ship for help.¡± Sabere lied through his bread stained teeth.

    He did not know who the party was or the fact Skaldi had helped in sabotaging the ship, but he knew the flare¡¯s purpose was to signal someone. Not him or any of his fellow assassins. He didn¡¯t worry for it to be communicated to, only that whoever gave them trouble would meet their doom.

    ¡°Nothing else-else?¡±

    ¡°Not a thing.¡± Sabere answered so mundanely that it shocked Vega. He seemed so casual and used to such circumstances that it frightened her. ¡°All we need is for you to show us where the boxes are and you¡¯ll be let go. Of course, Runtaii will have a couple words for you but that is normal at this point.¡±

    ¡°Runtaii? He¡¯s the¡­ boss-boss, right?¡±

    ¡°Well, he is more of a manager. And he¡¯ll reward you for your above and beyond duty.¡± Sabere spoke of him in less of a superior and more equally. ¡°Make you an example of how a sailor should work. We could certainly use a better class of Iozian in these times.¡±

    ¡°Huh¡­ first help ya and then speak with him.¡± Vega simplified in her own words. Her brows rose in discontent, uncertain on whether or not she¡¯ll be detected. The flare however, remained certainly unanswered.

    ¡°So. Will you mind helping Runtaii and I?¡±

    Neither the scarecrow or elf couldn¡¯t even imagine a secretive reason behind the flare, yet it felt that it wasn¡¯t enough. Like a house without any furniture or people. Something was missing. However, they couldn¡¯t waste any effort, not now of all times.

    She turned back to Skaldi, who felt every bit of fear that Vega had. Not only this, but all the wants and needs that they both had bloomed. To be stronger, to live for yourself, and to struggle for those you love. It might sound silly coming from an animated scarecrow and an alcoholic elf, but it''s true.

    In his blue eyes she found a fountain in him. A familiar youth in her. Whenever she¡¯s around it, she feels so wonderful. And she tries to be herself. But she can¡¯t help it. All she is wondering, in ephemeral emotion, is that can she live it again? That if she succeeds, will she find that incredible joy not only in friendship but in one¡¯s accomplishments?

    She knew the truth. She knew she could do it.

    ¡°All right. I¡¯ll show you.¡± Vega got up from her chair as Sabere led her out of the bar. She took off her backpack, trying not to alert Sabere of the papers in there. Skaldi took it in his hand and hooked it over his shoulder.

    ¡°Good.¡± Sabere made a couple more bites before wiping his mouth clean and tossing the remains into a trash can for tobacco cinders.

    Don¡¯t mess up.

    Stopping as she reached the door, an anxiety burned within her. The Voice spoke to her, as if it were saying a phrase of some finality. Like this could really be the end. This was really it, she thought. This wasn¡¯t some dumb bandits or drunk raiders. She was heading into the den of real killers.

    ¡°See ya Kori.¡± Giving a thumbs up, she signaled to start the plan.

    Skaldi held tightly onto the ceramic pot and fielded his bravery. Images of Bolato and Valiato came to him. He knew it wasn¡¯t just about himself, but for the lives of those he loved. The elf whispered to himself.

    ¡°To you I hold. To you I struggle. To you, I love. For you, I fight.¡±

 Chapter 41: Deadbolt Danger!

    Chapter 41: Deadbolt Danger!

    Electric storms crashed and exploded in the sky, and the righteous ire in Vega ignited!

    Each step, each movement, and every second she walked with Sabere built up a tension within herself. The bandits had done a poor job of prospering pening and organizing the cargo stored in both the boxes and the pots. Aside then a box full of newly made sandals, all that she carried laid untouched.

    ¡°Did ya say which one it should be in?¡± Vega asked, using the end of a hammer to pull out the nails on a barrel.

    ¡°Ani never told us really. Said something about a stamp.¡± Sabere kept the details light, keeping his eyes fixed on the back of Vega. ¡°Ena, you want to hear a joke?¡±

    ¡°Sure.¡± Vega felt his gaze burn into her, but kept her cool and fake voice.

    ¡°What do you call a woman that doesn¡¯t break after the first hit?¡±

    ¡°What?¡±

    ¡°My wife.¡± Sabere told, laughing through closed teeth. Giving one of the types of laughs that comes from a single strong breath out from the nose, Vega humored him despite the tension. Sloppily peeling off the last nail made the contents of the box spill out, bundles of cereal plants. Seeing it made her feel off put, a sort of horrified curiosity.

    ¡°What¡¯s this-this?¡±

    ¡°Oh. That¡¯s for a secret tool we¡¯ll use later.¡± Sabere knew exactly what it was. One of the many ingredients needed for a type of Soul Gem, the one that Ani had told to Runtaii.

    A cracking thunder bolt struck just outside the harbor, burning up loudly. Crowds of both Tripolian and Iozian turned in shock and awe at the destructive brilliance of the strike. All except Vega and Sabere, one who was too afraid to move, the other who was too focused to move.

    ¡°...maybe it''s in-in that one.¡± Vega had seen the stamp on the last box, some ten feet away. But she drawed out her opening on each box, trying to buy time for Skaldi to hatch the plan. She wouldn¡¯t have any way to confirm that Skaldi completed it until she finished her task. And yet, with every minute she spent there increased the chance she would be detected along with Skaldi. Decisions decisions.

    ¡°Ena, have you ever been to Core Civitus?¡± Sabere interrupted her thinking.

    ¡°Once. I spent most of my time-time in the western parts.¡± She recalled a familiar place of simpler life. Vega felt it was best to keep her false story vaguely tied to her real one.

    ¡°What is it like there? I heard they held a big celebration once. A¡­ concert, is it called that?¡±

    ¡°Sure, but I never went to one of those.¡± Vega looked over her shoulder and saw Sabere''s eyes close in disappointment. Sensing that he wanted to relish in the details, she offered more description. ¡°Uh, but Core Civitus is quite the place-place. Crowds of different folk, dense buildings, and beautiful landscape.¡±

    ¡°That¡¯s pleasant to hear. While I dislike the ways of Iozian mingling, I can appreciate the art of your people. Well, to a certain degree.¡±

    ¡°Would Runtaii agree?¡± Vega¡¯s mouth, again, got ahead of her mind. She wished to have taken that question back immediately, cursing her desire to learn more.

    ¡°That¡¯s a more complicated question than you might think.¡± Sabere brushed his wet hair to the side as sprinkles of water struck the ground.

    ¡°How so?¡±

    ¡°He is a neutral party. He dislikes that you guys are so forgiving of your enemies. And yet admires your comradery. He hates your immodest fashion, but he loves your art. Its bizarre, isn¡¯t it?¡±

    ¡°How so?¡± Vega made her pace snail-like, being carried to open the next couple boxes not out of caution, but out seeming like she was genuinely taking care of the task.

    ¡°Hmm. How to explain¡­ the way a heart can have two different and yet shared motivations. Like wanting to improve oneself yet enjoy others.¡±

    ¡°Or a-a person learning to love oneself versus prioritizing others?¡±

    ¡°Yes. Yes indeed.¡± Sabere made strong, hard steps towards Vega. She froze fearing that had finally found out. Laying his hand on her shoulder, he squeezed twice and made a grunting sound with his nose. ¡°I think it''s the last box. That one has the stamp.¡±

    ¡°Oh. Right sir.¡± Running quickly, her body got ahead of her wishes. This box had a stamp that resembled rusted armor, and Vega took one last effort to stall for time.

    ¡°Huh. You know, in some time, maybe we''ll all visit Uvi Jantok. I heard there is a bank there. Iozia¡¯s finest institution.¡±

    ¡°Never been there.¡±

    ¡°I know.¡± His voice said this so simply, like he was speaking of the weather or the cold. ¡°A bandit like you wouldn¡¯t know what to do there.¡±

    ¡°Ya are-are sure. How would ya know?¡±

    ¡°Excuse me?¡± Sabere spoke as if he was offended. Vega didn¡¯t care whether he really was or not.

    ¡°Have ya ever had a conversation? Not just with an Iozian, but with anyone?¡± Vega¡¯s hands moved more readily, more sure. More proud. ¡°Because as far as I can tell, all your relationships are trades.¡±

    ¡°The hell? What are you talking about?¡±

    ¡°No one really talks like ya do. Everyone else is friendly and close, and yet¡­ ya are so distant. Like what''s happening around ya isn''t really happening, or rather ya don¡¯t really care.¡±

    ¡°It¡¯s my job to not really care. That¡¯s how I get food on the table.¡±

    ¡°Ha. I have a job too, and despite that, I have a life outside of that.¡± Vega¡¯s normal, odd voice returned, because she didn¡¯t care to keep up the facade. She didn¡¯t even notice that she was speaking. All of it was a direct stream from her consciousness.

    ¡°What do you mean life? What life do you speak of?¡± Sabere tried to turn this conversation into another cruel joke, but Vega wasn¡¯t having it.

    ¡°Do ya have any friends you¡¯ll go to? Any people that love ya? Not just because they pay ya or work with, but actually want to be with ya?¡±

    Sabere scowled and kept his mouth shut. He wasn¡¯t going to give Vega any more ammunition.

    ¡°Didn¡¯t so-so.¡± With that, she pulled the last nail off and the board covering the box fell. Smaller glass containers packed between pillowed fabric stood along the box¡¯s walls. Tripolian letterings with a yellow paper background wrapped these containers, as a red brown alcohol sloshed in the glass.

    ¡°Grab one. Bring it with us.¡± A cold order from Sabere. He didn¡¯t like this game anymore. Vega listened, holding her head high, having a self righteous anger in her.

    What? Don¡¯t like helping people?

    Unlike what she had imagined, Runtaii¡¯s ship collected Iozian trinkets instead of weaponry to destroy. Not necessarily a leisure boat, as rows of benches meant for rowers took up most of the top deck.

    But certain things were off, like statues of wooden saints were at each corner. Stryker metal was pressed into Tripolian nails and door handles. And all of the men despite being a disciplined military force wore their shirt collars up, much like Iozian soldiers.

    Bits and pieces of Iozian culture survived on a ship designed to annihilate the same people. If you can¡¯t say that is peak ironic humor, you ought to laugh at hypocritical things in life.

    ¡°Hello. How are ya?¡± Vega was talking to a statue, convinced that it was some kind of natural spirit binded to the vessel. Upon seeing that the statue kept its lips shut, the scarecrow patted its shoulder. ¡°Good talk.¡±

    ¡°Why the hell are you taking so long? Get down here.¡± His voice drowned down below, in the ship¡¯s dark hold. Vega moved to the stairs, and went to light a candle but realized she left all of her gear with Skaldi. Her eyes gazed out to the geysers of water, continuing to fire up into the sky around the town. She wondered how the world could be so majestic and yet so ugly at the same time.

    ¡°I¡¯ll find out.¡± Vega told herself, as she descended down the stairs. ¡°I¡¯ll figure it all out.¡±

    A rustic dark surrounded her, like a blanket over the head of a sleeping child. The footsteps of Sabere were far in front of her but she did not see him. In the rhythm of this pace she could not even feel much life. The settling of the walls snapped, the waters outside sizzled. However there wasn¡¯t the same life here as there was in other places.

    The walls had plastic like decorations, nailed down furniture that seemed to be made of false wood, and no person¡¯s breath or voice could be heard.

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    No chaos or controlled order, more like a room with no exit. A graveyard with no people. Dead and alone.

    Following the noise of where Sabere came from was difficult. The further she went, the hazier her few senses were. Her own steps sounded off. Not only the usual soft and barely noticed taps on the ground she made were not there, but it felt like there were two of her. Rather, it sounded like there were two but one of them was slightly ahead or behind in the step.

    The type of sound that comes from marbled ground that echoes a person.

    ¡°Creepy. So creepy.¡± Holding her pickaxe out in front of her, she whispered alone. Her face on her shoulder, looking back and forth everytime one of the footsteps cracked the floorboards behind her.

    Hallways and stairs assured her that she was moving toward her objective, but there had to be someone following. She knew she hadn¡¯t got crazy. Eventually, she stared at feet when she walked, trying to see if there were any significant differences.

    Bumping into a set of metal armor, she nearly fell with it. But reflexible grabbing it, she pulled it back up and stabilized the stand.

    ¡°Get over here. Now.¡± The voice spoke, muffled by a door in front of her. Shooting her eyes back and forth, and saw only a rusted set of armor. No one made themselves seen to her. Turning the knob of the door, she opened and pushed herself through.

    A metal grate in the ceiling rained the evening moonlight down on the two men. One was Sabere, who was acting a guard near the door. He wasn¡¯t holding anything, but his fists were clenched.

    The other must have been a decade older than the young assassin. His hair was tied up into braids that were held together by military pins. Definitely having been cut recently, his chin hair and mustache was short and trimmed. His booted feet laid on a horse saddle onto a bench as he sat on a cushioned stool beside a desk. Setting the box of Desert Mirage down, Vega noted that Runtaii had a very punchable face.

    ¡°~Is this the one?~¡± Runtaii tilted his head slightly at Sabere.

    ¡°~Yes sire.~¡±

    ¡°What an incredible person.¡± His voice had none of the stutters and pauses that often accompany learners of a foreign language. He stared at Vega, just as one would stare at a statue, painting, or other great work of art.

    ¡°I''ll try my best, mister.¡± Putting up the false gruff voice she used before, Vega crossed her arms and tried to seem uninterested. In fact, she was very interested and who this person was.

    He¡¯s my tool. Just like you are.

    ¡°Our master, Runtaii of Clan Galabag. And notorious for being loud and obnoxious.¡± Sabere curtsied and over dramatically flourished his hands pointing at Runtaii.

    ¡°Oh, hush Sabere. You¡¯re lucky I call you by your name.¡± Shaking his fist for a second at him, he kicked his feet up and rested it back on the ground. ¡°You are Ena, correct?¡±

    ¡°...what?¡±

    ¡°You¡¯re Ena, right? Don¡¯t tell me you''re also a fool.¡±

    ¡°No! No, no. I just¡­ heard something. That¡¯s all. Yes, I¡¯m Ena.¡± Vega, not keeping eye contact with Runtaii, had started looking at the moon. Her mask was slipping for a movement and she frantically tightened so that they wouldn¡¯t see.

    ¡°But of course. I never get the sane servants.¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m sane.¡± Sabere said, laying his hand on his chest.

    ¡°The hell you are.¡±

    ¡°Why did you bring me here to talk-talk about?¡± She couldn¡¯t handle the wait. No more bickering or small talk, just the facts. Only the truth.

    The Tripolian¡¯s eyes met and they stayed on each other''s forms. Vega felt that they were visually handshaking each other. That their agreement and terms were about to be proposed.

    ¡°You did a task. A task which, to my understanding of servants and workers, is not tough for a single person, not long for a single person, but simply impossible for a single person.¡±

    ¡°I guess I was just-¡±

    ¡°No.¡± Runtaii halted Vega at her feigned suggestion. ¡°You were able to pick up hundred pound cargo in succession, anchor them down by yourself, and complete the task in under eight minutes.¡±

    ¡°...if it makes you feel any better, it was under seven-seven.¡± Vega understood what had happened. She played a game that no other man could win. All in the effort of saving time? No. All in the effort of not being scared longer then she wanted to be.

    ¡°You know, it surely does.¡± Runtaii rose from his stood and put his hand on the hilt of his sword. ¡°Take off the mask.¡±

    Wavering on the brink of total humiliation, the scarecrow wondered if it was even worth it to listen. Perhaps it might not be fruitful, maybe not to her advantage, Despite this, she wished not to disappoint. First taking off her mask and bucket helmet, she stood solemn and quiet. Soon, her whole disguise and armor laid on the ground.

    Not able to withstand the scornful silence, she posed wide and proud, much like she would in front of a kind audience. Except, there is no one to provide her any empathy. Not in this violent place.

    ¡°Surprise! I''m not really a person.¡±

    Don¡¯t sell yourself short now.

    ¡°Shut up!¡± Slamming the bucket directly into the ground, Vega had broken a part of the wood, sending fragments across the room. Sabere and Runtaii didn¡¯t flinch as the bucket bounced up onto the desk.

    ¡°And you''re demented as well. Truly, the¡­ jackpot, as you Iozians say.¡±

    ¡°She¡¯s not Iozian, it¡¯s a freak of nature.¡± Sabere glady tortured her, happy to give her punishment for her talking back to him. For making him feel insecure, he would do the same to her.

    ¡°...stop.¡±

    ¡°Not so brave now, are you?¡± Putting both hands on his hips, Sabere bent down to the side of Vega¡¯s face. She looked away, with quivering brows and eyes at the ground. Sabere, in the faintest sense, appeared to be a little shocked by the discover.

    ¡°Brick of iron had told me about you. And that, I shouldn¡¯t interfere with you.¡± Runtaii fingers slowly wrapped around the hilt, like a snake coiling around it¡¯s kill.

    ¡°Brick-brick of iron?¡± Vega¡¯s knees clicked together as he feet spread buckled and quivered. Again, Sabere seemed puzzled by this relation, and his face showed that he was in rapid thought.

    ¡°Oh, you have no idea how small you are in all of this.¡± Drawing his sword made a metallic crackle, sending a spark flying out. Raising his sword high above his head and grappling Vega with her off hand, Runtaii held full power over her.

    ¡°Wait!¡± Sabere''s voice broke his master¡¯s rage, as Runtaii¡¯s hand fell.

    ¡°...wait for what?¡±

    ¡°We can¡¯t kill it.¡± Sabere stood between Vega and Runtaii, forming a triangle of motives. ¡°She holds information, critical knowledge.¡±

    ¡°Wha-wha-what!? Are you demented boy?¡± Runtaii waved his sword hand at Sabere, which he didn¡¯t move in fear or reaction.

    ¡°Think about it.¡± Sabere laid a hand on his master''s forearm, gently guiding his sword down. ¡°Ani Arma didn¡¯t tell me. But he had told you.¡± Sabere''s eyes pierced Runtaii¡¯s violence, tranquilizing it.

    ¡°Hmm. Why would he have told me? You are loyal to him, are you not?¡±

    ¡°Indeed. In spite of this, the fact that he choose you to know and not us Assassins, means something. Why wouldn¡¯t he tell¡­¡± Turning back still to Vega, he brushed Runtaii off and grabbed her by the shoulders. Even her shirt and wooden limbs ripped at his grip. Sending full force into her, he slammed her into the wall, making a dust cloud around her.

    ¡°What. Do you, know?¡± A stern and harsh tone took his voice. Sabere slammed her once more, shaking her as if she had the key to life itself.

    You are doomed.

    You will die here.

    Either by blade.

    Or backstabbing all that you are.

    What are you again?

    Nothing.

    Nothing but a failure¡­

    Pitter platter. No more¡­ she won¡¯t be threatened any more.

    ¡°The moon. Have ya ever seen the moon rise over the wastes?¡± Vega¡¯s voice remained stalwart, still fearful, but prepared.

    ¡°The hell? Tell us what you know-¡± Sabere face twisted. It twisted around something.

    The assassin¡¯s face twisted around the scarecrow¡¯s punch.

    Rocking back on his feet, he couldn¡¯t have anticipated that one. Runtaii too was shocked and then inspired. What could have driven her to stand and fight in a battle she would certainly lose?

    ¡°No. I don¡¯t want to.¡±

    ¡°You have to. That¡¯s all you are, afterall.¡± Sabere brushed his cheek with his fist, shakened but venomous. ¡°You¡¯re a damn scarecrow. That¡¯s all you are.¡±

    ¡°You¡¯re wrong!¡±

    ¡°What¡¯s really the difference between your friends and us? All relationships are merely transactions.¡± Sabere believed this lie with every fiber and muscle in him. And believed this as much as believed that the sun would rise in the morning.

    ¡°You¡¯re a fool.¡± Growing more bold, she stuck out her arm, holding her pickaxe in an iron strong grip. ¡°We¡¯re not mindless thralls, we don¡¯t simply give and take. We make and share! And if you think I¡¯ll follow ya around, you¡¯re an idiot.¡±

    Give it up.

    Stuttering her stance, one of her hands went to her head. Three fears punctured her form. What is happening?

    You know you can¡¯t take the pain.

    An awful crushing in her body took place. A long pain in her head. A pressure like her skull being flattened in a single point. It didn¡¯t evaporate. Why can¡¯t I remember?

    In your one purpose, you have failed. To remain still. To remain idle. To only scare crows. No matter what you do, you fail in what you were made for. Don¡¯t even try. You¡¯re simply built for destruction.

    All of the feelings around her, something was off. Like a shadow that''s malformed, a wrong color. Or a carving with no name. A hatred that smiled.

    The world just ceased to move. No, like she was beginning to cease having control over her body. Her chains crushed her. She wouldn¡¯t survive.

    What am I?

    ¡°You¡¯re more than enough.¡±

    Florato was there, there with her. Not in presence. But in spirit.

    ¡°We¡¯re going to make it.¡±

    All around, circles of purple and red divine light cleared her dark vision. All around her, the people she had learned from and interacted with came back. The Priest, Tai Pai, the Snake Skin that sang with her. Everyone one, belonged and fused in her broken confidence.

    ¡°If you dare drop your pickaxe, if you give up, you forfeit everything above the stars and lose the world¡¯s grand bounty.¡±

    ¡°So don¡¯t give up. Because if I have learned anything from you, what matters is that we tried to make a world with less suffering.¡±

    Skaldi, in majestic moonlight brilliance, manifested in her imagination. Laying his hands on her shoulder, a wind of energy took her. Fiery justice burned in her soul, ready to destroy all that is evil in the fields of life!

    You can¡¯t win!

    ¡°Yes I can! Because I am more than the acts I do to others! I am all the kindness and suffering in this world.¡± Vega¡¯s vision returned, seeing Runtaii and Sabere in amazement and anger.

    ¡°From the emerald sea, to the thundering sky! Chaos and unity. Life and death!¡± Stancing up and twisting on her heels, the scarecrow swung her fist in front of the two killers.

    ¡°I am Vega! You won¡¯t beat me, you, you.. clod!¡±

    A heroic silence took her, proclaiming her the victor of this mental duel. Readying her weapon, she equipped herself for all that would come.

    Just as Sabere and Runtaii drew their weapons, the ship shook as a great wave of water poured down the grate. Confused, Sabere looked up, seeing men run and fall around where he could see.

    A heavy crash was heard and the door to the room had flung from its hinges and down on the floor. Amir, armed in battle gear, reached out for Vega.

    ¡°Amir!? You¡¯re here?¡±

    ¡°~No time to talk! Move!~¡±

 Chapter 42: Doorway to Destiny (Part 1!)

    Chapter 42: Doorway to Destiny (Part 1!)

    A tool that is broken is fine. It can be fixed, but a tool that outright refuses to be one, well¡­ that¡¯s no good.

    ¡°~Don¡¯t let her escape!~¡± Runtaii shouted, as the whole structure of the ship shuttered and buckled. At times, Amir and Vega were forced to walk on the walls to keep running and forced to hop from the floor to the walls.

    ¡°Get back here.¡± Sabere used two climbing picks to hold himself to the wall, bracing for whenever the ship would tremble. The air felt like it was shaking, like they were in a massive throat. ¡°This is not over.¡±

    ¡°Keep going. Don¡¯t stop-stop.¡±

    ¡°Wait.¡± Kaliba cried out as the walls of the ship shattered apart. A massive hand swung through the boat, sending the scarecrow and Amir flying up into the hot spore sky. High up in the clouds, they had seen three gargantuan figures laying waste to the harbor. One of them was hidden by the geysers of water right next to them. Mushroom skull and layered cake teeth poked out of the geyser, as ears the size of paddles flanked from the sides of the Blight Elf¡¯s head.

    ¡°Now that¡¯s one hell of a plan!¡± Vega roared, barely able to keep a hold onto her pickaxe as she soared in the air.

    She felt a weight come to her, followed by Amir coughing. Then Amir¡¯s body, Then Amir¡¯s face. And finally the frigid water below them. Large webs of water splashed out, as the Tripolian swam out with Vega sitting on his back, much like a bird in a nest. She held onto his satchel carrying a helmet.

    ¡°~How the hell are we still alive?~¡±

    ¡°Persistence.¡± Kaliba answered.

    ¡°Silly Kaliba, what they have is called pestilence.¡± Vega educated her bird friend, admiring the Blight Elf¡¯s monstrous form. In the sinking ruins of the vessel, Runtaii climbed out, balancing himself on what remained of the ship¡¯s mast. Lending hand down, he pulled out a water soaked Sabere. His cutting eyes broke through all of the chaos and struck Vega.

    ¡°What-what¡¯s the matter? You want to test me?¡± She beckoned him forward with her hands, smiling with just her lips. Amir pushed her up a few feet, next to a ladder leading back up into the harbor. More leaping then climbing, Vega was excited. Now, more than ever, she was happy to commit to combat.

    Pulling herself up with her metal right arm, she rolled onto her feet and scanned all around her. Scores of Tripolian organized in boxed formations backed up or retreated from the Blight¡¯s Elf, regrouping to higher positions. Individual pirates took to running or standing their ground, hurling stones flung from slings or ax headed arrows into the Blight Elf¡¯s flesh.

    ¡°~Terrible conquerors. Protect the Iozians.~¡± The atmosphere quaked as the Blight Elf called out, as if the very air could not hold the Elf¡¯s tremendous voice. From out of the sea, extended a mighty wrinkly hand. On its fingernails were shrooms that split open both the skin and nail like an infection. The spores spread from the openings, making the port a hideous yellow.

    Broken bricks fell into piles, as wood suddenly burned with no source of fire. The Blight Elf destroys any system of life, or protects it.

    One of the Blight placed its foot through a warehouse, splitting it open like a rotten fruit. Its toe fell near to a group of Iozian pirates pelting its shin with slinged rocks. As its shadow grazed over one of the men, he immediately flattened into black spot. No gore, no blood, not even a scream or sudden gasp. Instantly, the pirate was reduced to a colored speck on the ground.

    ¡°Amir! We got to find Skaldi and Ren, and then-then escort the people out of here!¡± Reaching back down and hanging to his shoulders, she wrenched him up fast. Seeing the destruction all around him, he gave only two coughs as a reply.

    ¡°Vega. Amir! I¡¯m right here.¡± The redhead raced to them, with a line of Iozians behind him. Holding onto both the backpack full of battle plans, he ran with his full chest in front. ¡°Ya never told me Amir was here.¡± Vega rejoiced in laughter. The three led the group along, acting as the eyes of their escape. When a squad of Tripolians ran past, they ducked down behind a broken house.

    ¡°I never said I went alone. Now let¡¯s keep moving. All together, they hid behind what rubbish and destroyed ship parts they could. Each time they waited for the Tripolians to pass by or run away, the Blight Elf¡¯s ruined more of the town. Not only this, crushed the systems of geysers, allowing the air of the settlement to become more putrid.

    The Blight Elf by the sea finally exited the harbor and entered into the town, showered down onto the three mangled fish and other sea creatures.

    ¡°I sure hope-hope Ren is okay.¡±

    ¡°By the way, where did you say he was again?¡± Skaldi stayed focused on the paths ahead of them, careful to keep track of all the forces there. Tuning out his sense of smell along with his taste, he improved his vision to better at concentrating on multiple targets. Yet, his lack of a second eye hampered the effectiveness of the ability, having only a modest mapping of the area.

    ¡°He should be back at the bridge. Unless something went wrong-wrong, he will be there.¡± The crushed bones of a ship were thrown right next to them, making all cower behind cover. ¡°I don¡¯t think-think we should be worried.¡±

    ¡°You really should.¡± A shadow¡¯s scornful tone chimed in. Like ink in a bottle, the team of Assassins spilled out. Sabere in front with two werefolk standing tall and strong. The were horse in red painted steel had foam coming full its mouth. Atop the were oryx¡¯s horns was reinforced iron with spikes and blades. The two snarled simultaneously, making the crowd of Iozians cry out in breathy groans.

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    ¡°~Fuck.~¡± Amir cursed.

    ¡°Do what he said.¡± Vega shrugged to the people, hoping that whatever he had said was something related to their survival.

    ¡°You have a lot to answer for. Look at what you¡¯ve done.¡± Saber cast his arm to the ongoing battles in the streets, with the Tripolians continually being pushed back.

    ¡°What we¡¯ve done? You¡¯ve been killing people ever since you got here. All we wanted was to get out. And that¡¯s exactly what we¡¯ll do.¡± Skaldi drew a pole from his shoulder and dragged along the wet stone floor, creating a ray of sparks before them.

    In his hands, he armed himself with a blue metal polearm, known as a glaive. This was the weapon of the Galtian tribe.

    ¡°Don¡¯t be so sure. Pride only suits Iozians, elf.¡± Sabere plucked an arrow from the quiver on his thigh, holding a war bow in his hand.

    ¡°You say pride, and I say damn right.¡± Skaldi tipped the end of his glaive to the ground, betting on his persuasiveness. ¡°If you don¡¯t stop those Blight Elves, you''re going to end up stuck here.¡±

    The young assassin held no contest in this fact of the situation. Whistling a horse signal, the two were folk assassins ran off to deal with the Blight Elves, leaving Sabere alone against them.

    Vega slowly shifted forward, with Skaldi opening the satchel on Amir¡¯s back and quickly putting on the helmet in gladiatorial fashion.

    ¡°Ya shouldn¡¯t do this to them.¡± She gestured her head towards the crowd. ¡°Ya shouldn¡¯t do this to ya.¡±

    ¡°What makes you think I¡¯m doing this alone?¡± When Sabere finished speaking, Runtaii creeped out of the shadows aswell.

    ¡°~What they said was true. I thought they might have gone mad. Ari Amir, the bastard adopted son of Ani Arma.~¡± Runtaii and Amir began to circle around each other, with the sea crashing waves behind the old Tripolian.

    ¡°~Runtaii. I held you when you were but a lad. Seems you remain a child now.~¡± Amir pointed with a spear and a set of javelins on his back.

    ¡°~Oh. Never knew red brick had skill with insults. How''s this one, who has a wounded daughter?~¡± As he laughed, Runtaii spun his cutlass in his hand and beat his chest with a buckler shield.

    ¡°~Who¡¯s going to return to his father in ten pieces?~¡± Amir shot right back, prepared for any verbal encounter. As the two postured, Skaldi handed the map Vega used to get to the port over to one of the Iozians.

    ¡°Head to the bridge at the entrance into the town! You¡¯ll find a mermaid who will help you. Follow him and you¡¯ll be safe. Go!¡± He pushed the crowd off with the mass of people heading off in the direction and disappearing behind a cloud of smoke spores.

    Only five feet away from Sabere, Vega¡¯s boldness grew still. Thunder bolts thrashed in the land and sea, creating explosive burning all around. The scarecrow felt the feelings that come to every fighter before combat. That unease and enthusiasm that takes hold of a body and mind, together the fury of the soul.

    ¡°Ya are outnumbered.¡±

    ¡°Haha! You really are an idiot scarecrow.¡± Unhooking the lamp from his hip, he opened its cap. Vega scooted a foot forward, half expecting oil in it. For a moment it seemed like nothing was there.

    Then, like a rockslide, the lamp rattled and flew out of Sabere¡¯s hands and landed on the puddled floor. The yellow lamp beamed rays of violent blue light as a thick cloud came out. Waves of water swirled skyward, forming a tornado of toxic blue water and smoke around the lamp. Everyone braced, sliding backward as a hurricane of wind blew out. Sabere crossed his arms and smiled at the magic.

    When all the smoke and water dissipated, Amir, Skaldi, and Vega¡¯s faces were full of awe. The smoke gathered itself in muscled shapes and unfriendly design, mist manifested into a scimitar big enough to crush a man. From the lamp, the smoke took on the form of a monstrous genii!

    ¡°Arise!¡± Roaring out, the voice of the genii rivaled the power of the Blight Elf. ¡°I will grant you the honor of dying to my blade!¡±

    ¡°Here goes nothing!¡± Skaldi threw what remained of the ceramic pot at the genii, covering him in the substance that brought over the Blight Elfs.

    ¡°You¡¯ll regret all that you are.¡± And with that chilling threat, Sabere fired off his first few arrows, as everyone started to fight one another. Runtaii and Amir danced with their blades, every thrust and parry becoming the beats to their rhythm.

    Skaldi and Vega were immediately pushed back, with the genii swinging down at the cleaving ground into segments. When the genii didn¡¯t strike, Sabere arrows forced them to keep moving back, everso close to hitting their target.

    They knew that they only needed to survive until the Blight Elves got over to them, but how long could they wait? Skaldi dodged away from the seaside of the port, aiming to split up the genii¡¯s and Sabere¡¯s efforts. Pulling the genii away and grabbing the attention of whatever Blight Elf he could was his target.

    Judging himself fitter than Amir, Runtaii went on the offensive. He imagined that Amir would respond with a counter since he had a much longer reaching weapon. However, whenever he¡¯d push forward, Amir would give ground.

    Frustrated that he wasn¡¯t giving him a proper fight, he extended far fast. A crashing wave rained water over them and onto the ground, causing Runtaii to slip to his knees.

    ¡°~I just had this cleaned.~¡± Runtaii cursed to himself when Amir lunged forward at him, the spearhead gleaming in moonlight. Barely able to stand back up while going off balance, he deflected with his buckler. His response of slicing down with his cutlass was blocked by Amir¡¯s armor, allowing him to keep the advantage.

    In a pursuit of a dangerous kind, Vega had an incredibly difficult time, since Sabere had needle accurate precision. Sliding behind ruins and hooping over shattered dockyard walls, Vega¡¯s movements had been followed by screeching arrows. Keeping herself underneath a crumbling wall, the scarecrow noticed that Skaldi had left the backpack on the ground.

    Holding her body close to the ground, she crawled low and underneath any cover, be it the broken ship or the bodies of pirates or Tripolians.

    ¡°Show yourself Vega. What kind of a name is Vega anyway?¡± Sabere¡¯s voice came from further away, giving her the assurance needed to jump out for the backpack.

    Throwing it open, she dug for the ball bearings and flare. Tying the bag of balls on her side, she held the flare in her hands. A tiger tail like fuse in a shell of paper made the flare¡¯s body, with long burning black powder as its system. Pulling on the fuse would ignite it fast. In all its operations, it was similar to a firework except that it burned longer in the sky. She had to risk its use.

    ¡°Hey Sabere!¡± Vega called out, hearing his footsteps approaching at a cautiously slow pace. Right beside her was a trench that had been cut out by the genii. Pulling herself into it along with the backpack, she waited for the assassin to get closer. His shadow fell onto the broken ship, becoming pure black as thunder struck.

    When his shadow stopped before Vega¡¯s trench, she popped out and held the flare in front of her. Despite this, Sabere was nowhere to be found.

    ¡°Where could ya be?¡±

    ¡°Right behind y-¡± Vega, unmoved by his play, twisted around and fired the flare directly in his face. A vomiting sun grazed his cheek, searing black on the right side of his face. A black shooting star was below his eyes. He nearly fell back but kept himself upright, grunting through gritting teeth.

    ¡°What¡¯s the matter, something in ya eye?¡±

 Chapter 42: Doorway to Destiny (Part 2!)

    Chapter 42: Doorway to Destiny (Part 2!)

    ¡°Next time-time, don¡¯t talk.¡± Lunging forward, Vega swung toward Sabere. Not one to be out done, he too dashed at her. Clashing with pickaxe and dagger, the two ricocheted off one another. Upon landing, Vega once again flipped around with her pickaxe, using her relentless endurance to wear down Sabere.

    In incredible pain, Sabere¡¯s eyes weren¡¯t on her weapon, but her hands. He parried her two strikes, feeling how she held the weapon. On her three strike, he parried with his off hand but grabbed the head of the pickaxe. An opportunity arose, so he plunged the end of the knife into her shoulder.

    Noticing that she hadn¡¯t immediately expired, he repeated, not coming any closer to killing her. His brows bent and his eyes narrowed, Sabere wished to ruin her. Vega could feel his poisonous anger and offered a cheeky smile as recompense.

    Swinging the scimitar seaward at Skaldi, the ground exploded into fragments. One such piece sent Skaldi flying across. In a state of nearing being knocked out, Skaldi awoke to his head hanging a few feet above the splashing water.

    ¡°Can¡¯t stop. Need¡­ to keep going.¡± Pushing himself up, he put his hand on his chestplate. Indented in four places by the fragments, one shard broke through the armor but didn¡¯t piece through the padding underneath. ¡°I¡¯m alive?! Thank the spirits!¡±

    Suddenly, hot water rained on him. As he continued to run from the genii, he saw one of the geysers, out of tune with the others and firing off with greater intensity.

    ¡°Maybe it¡¯s a chance!¡± He turned to see the genii striking at the ground, breaking open the harbor and bringing in more water from the sea. ¡°Over here!¡±

    He threw a few daggers to the genii, planning to hit his arm. With his bruised body, his aim went wide and only one pierced his fingers. A great roar was heard as the Genii was not pursuing the elf with his scimitar, he was reaching and grabbing at him, trying to pin him down and squeeze him into a bleeding ball.

    A few yards ahead, Skaldi was so close to the geyser. He could feel the bubbling heat close. His back was to it, and his face was to the

    Hundred feet.

    ¡°Come on!¡± He shouted, goading the genii closer.

    Sixty feet.

    Keeping an eye on the geyser, he could see the water building up.

    Twenty feet.

    Closer and closer still, the genii was charging at him. Now or never.

    Zero feet.

    Jumping back away, Skaldi saw the genii¡¯s vicious expression for a moment. He closed his eye, feeling his back hit the ground. As he opened his eye, he saw the rocketing of burning hot water boil its face!

    ¡°Ah! You¡¯ll pay for that!¡± Sending its wagon sized fist into the ground, he shattered the geyser apart, sending fragments everywhere. Hiding behind a wall, Skaldi held firm and waited.

    A particularly strong shock hit the ground. Skaldi turned his head to the port, seeing the looming head of a Blight Elf that had been hit by the shrapnel of the genii.

    ¡°~Cruel demon. Destroy the smoke.~¡± A Blight Elf roared, punching the ground using both fists repeatedly. Shockwaves hit them all, all the fighting stuttered and ceased as all struggled not to fall down. Headbutting together, Sabere and Vega bounced a few feet away. Even the genii was affected, exerting great might to maintain his current form and not return to smoke.

    ¡°Yes!¡± Skaldi cried out, ecstatic that he had finally got their attention. ¡°Let¡¯s get out of here.¡± The moment the shockwaves weakened, the party prepared their retreat.

    ¡°I¡¯ve let you live long enough.¡± Sabere coldly remarked and fired arrows nonstop at Vega. The scarecrow slid, grabbing the backpack in one hand. She jumped on the broken ship, putting vertical distance from her attack. Sabere followed, firing off whenever he jumped. Reaching one end of the ship¡¯s wall, Vega broke it open in two swings and ran to Skaldi, having seen two arrows hit a few centimeters from her foot.

    Upcoming was a boxed garden near her, with the same plants that strike at spores. Crouching behind one of them, she reached out for a potted verison of one.

    ¡°Get back here Vega.¡± Sabere ran to where she was, with soft spoken rage in his voice. Using both of her hands, she chucked the plant at him like it was a bomb. He dodged it easily but as he turned to confront her, the plant¡¯s tongues whipped him hard and rapidly, forcing him to take out his blade and do some weeding.

    As he muttered madly to himself, Vega continued to run away.

    ¡°Foolish shroom head. Tell me how you wish to be buried.¡± The genii challenged the Blight Elf motioned for it to attack.

    ¡°~Genii in life. Dust in death.~¡± The Blight Elf answered, hissing out spores as a warcry. Sabere looked around, searching for the rest of the Assassins. The were oryx had been badly wounded, its arms squeezed into paste by his foe. However, the Blight Elf he had been fighting clutched at its mushroom face as it poured foul blood around.

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    The second hadn¡¯t been so lucky, as the were horse had been pinned in under some wreckage. Clapping his hands between the were horse, the Blight Elf pinned him between his hands and his teeth. In one awful motion, he tore the assassin in half, like he was eating jerky.

    Amir noticed their escape and gave one last good shove to Runtaii, sending him skittering on the water soaked ground. Rolling to his feet, Runtaii caught up only a couple seconds afterward. Tossing a javelin at him, Amir slowed him enough to keep him from striking distance.

    ¡°~Boy! The time has come!~¡± He raised his spear in his left hand and beat his chest twice. Skaldi saw the signal and turned his heel back at the action. ¡°~No mercy!~¡±

    ¡°No mercy.¡± Taking three daggers from his bandolier, he juggled them in his hands, waiting for the right moment. He wouldn¡¯t have the time to improve his sight, it was his call. Breathlessly, he held out his hand of daggers over his shoulder. Tentative and unsure, the elf knew he had to take the chance.

    ¡°~Time to go to sleep, old man.¡± Runtaii rushed with all his might, catching up with Amir. Only then did Skaldi throw his daggers. Arcing beautifully, like a lady¡¯s hair in the wind, the daggers met their target and two buried into Runtaii¡¯s sword arm while the last missed.

    ¡°~Emperor damn it all. Sabere!~¡±

    ¡°~Good on you boy.~¡± Amir continued to run, unimpeded by his coughing. He was functioning on pure grit and excitement.

    Drawing his bow on Vega, Sabere heard the cry of Runtaii. Moving to his position, he changed his target from the scarecrow to Amir. Firing the arrow, it sizzled through the air and cracked into his back. He kept running, for although the arrow broke through his scale armored robes, it made but a tiny prick in his muscle.

    ¡°Might want to help your friend there, scarecrow.¡± Sabere shouted, baiting her knowing that she¡¯d never keep running without aiding Amir. And he was, wait for it¡­ was wrong!

    ¡°Skaldi! I¡¯m going after him.¡± She threw her backpack over any debris, only ten yards from where Amir was.

    ¡°What?¡± Sabere didn¡¯t expect this, fumbling his aim as he had planned to shoot Skaldi after. Vega skipped across pools of water and ran through burning buildings, moving faster than a speeding arrow.

    ¡°Got it.¡± Moved forward to Amir¡¯s position. The old Tripolian kept running but he lurched over his knees as his coughs grew raspy. Eventually forced to kneel down by a horse cart, Amir caught his breath with Skaldi right beside him. ¡°Stay here.¡±

    ¡°~Whatever that means, I¡¯m not giving up just yet.~¡± Heaving himself up like he weighed a ton, Amir stood unsteady on his feet. Right behind the elf, they ran to the backpack.

    ¡°~Gah! Damn elf.~¡± The daggers cut his skin like knives in soft fat. He ripped off the side of his shirt and wrapped it around his wound, daring not to pull the blades and risk bleeding out. ¡°~Sabere. We have to retreat.~¡±

    ¡°~I cannot follow this order..~¡± Choking up, his next shot failed and went far off target. Vega undeterred moved faster with a look of calm determination.

    ¡°~It isn¡¯t one.~¡±

    ¡°~Sire, I-~¡±

    ¡°~Sire nothing boy!~¡± Runtaii screamed from across the battlefield, with the voice only a fellow young man could give. ¡°~Failure and victory are but two paths that head in the same direction.~¡±

    ¡°~We can win, we can-~¡±

    ¡°~Four assassins. I took four of you. Don¡¯t let that number go down.~¡± Runtaii ordered him with no logical persuasion but emotional reasoning. ¡°~If I fail today, I¡¯d rather fail with you alive than win without you.~¡±

    Hate. Hated this, Sabere did. Runtaii wasn¡¯t treating him like a soldier. He wasn¡¯t treating him like the hidden blade he was. He wasn¡¯t even treating him like a tool. The phrase human being came and went into Sabere¡¯s head. He would show him the truth. A believed truth. A false truth.

    ¡°You won¡¯t best me. I don¡¯t lose.¡± Sabere fired off another arrow, puncturing Vega¡¯s stomach.

    ¡°~Damn it boy!~¡±

    ¡°Keep moving, I¡¯ll cover you.¡± Skaldi threw daggers like he was a cloud of blades. Some missed but they successively hit the young assassin. One to the shin, another the forearm. Pushing on through the agony, Sabere fired arrows in seconds flat. One arrow to her shoulder, another to her chest.

    Unable to bear taking any more hits, the assassin sent three arrows to Skaldi¡¯s position. The first glanced off his helmet, burning a hot spark off it. The second crashed into his waist and shoulder, tearing a hole in his tunic.

    ¡°Fuck. This doesn¡¯t feel all that good.¡± Skaldi laughed, in a mixture of shock and cynicism. Amir went to work quickly, clipping off the wood of the arrows and patching him up with whatever he had on him.

    Sabere¡¯s hand dropped down to his quiver, but all of his arrows were gone and spent. Unhooking his dagger, the assassin charged at Vega.

    ¡°~Sabere. Give it up. I don¡¯t care if you''re an Assassin or not, you can¡¯t do it alone.~¡± Runtaii yelled to Sabere¡¯s back, despite this he didn¡¯t reply. Sabere wished not to acknowledge the truth.

    ¡°Voice.¡± Vega gazed up to the stormy sky, as a serene feeling in her body emerged within her.

    ¡°I¡¯m weak. I am a fool-fool, at times. And right now, here, I¡¯m scared.¡± In the rhythm of the waves of the ocean and the breaking of the port, a guitar¡¯s strings are heard by her. Strings that she felt had a place to her. ¡°Now, more than ever before, I want to know! About you and everything, the people I love and myself.¡±

    ¡°You ready to die?¡± Sabere was but forty feet away, holding his dagger in two hands.

    ¡°No, I''m ready to live. Live for more than others.¡±

    ¡°~Well, time to seal the boy¡¯s fate.~¡± Rising up and getting a running start, Amir pulled a javelin from his back. ¡°~If you can hear me Vega, give him hell~!¡± Amir, storming with furious kindness, hung onto the back of the shaft, and hurtled the javelin across the starry scape. Amir fell onto the backpack full of documents and was consumed by coughs. Instead of fainting, he picked it right up and scooped up Skaldi as he ran.

    ¡°Want to fight the Emperor¡¯s finest?!¡±

    ¡°Yes!¡± Kaliba screeched, diving bombing its beak to Sabere¡¯s cheek. Flying off quickly, Kaliba left Sabere in a daze. Vega took the bag of ball bearings, opened it, and threw the contents to the ground. Sabere stepped and stumbled on the bearings, unable to stand properly.

    Only a second after recovering, he saw the javelin impact his chest plate directly, knocking the air and momentum out of him. Vega knew in her heart that this was her chance to perform beyond her limits.

    ¡°Take this! My anger, my sorrow, and all my love!¡± Hanging her pickaxe on her side and leaping up at Sabere, she unleashed and swung skyward! Her attack broke open his armor and his chest.

    Knocked high into the air, Sabere collapsed onto the wet ground below. Only one of his eyes lay open, breathing hard and slow. Vega landed at his feet with one end of her pickaxe bloodied.

    ¡°Go to sleep now. Ya fight is over.¡± Extending her hand on his opened chest, she patted him as if this were a sport.

    Runtaii crawled to Sabere, holding his head in his lap. He couldn¡¯t spare words for his dying comrade, only trying to make his death a bit more comfortable.

    Vega wished not to disturb him or to fight Runtaii. In fact, using one of the holes Sabere had made, she pulled out a set of flowers. Handing it off to the wounded man, Vega smiled and bowed to him, the custom she had learned from Cold Cavern.

    Runtaii analyzed Vega, as a warrior would to another. He too bowed in respect and placed the flowers on Sabere¡¯s body.

    ¡°You¡­ are unbearably kind.¡± He admitted.

    ¡°Well¡­ I wasn¡¯t born yesterday.¡± Running off back towards her friends, Vega, exitted as a new person.

 Chapter 43: Barotrauma Break In

    Chapter 43: Barotrauma Break In

    Peace in our time! Well, I hope this peace is real and can last¡­ for more than five minutes. I¡¯m betting for at least ten, maybe even eight.

    ¡°Ska, do we have matching scars now?¡± Valiato pointed down at him, her being held securely in Amir¡¯s arms.

    ¡°I don¡¯t know sweet pea. Which side did you get hit again?¡± Skaldi rested on some quickly moved crates, with Bolato and Florato nursing him with bandages and ointments. He slurred his words a bit, as he finally had an excuse to get blitzing drunk.

    ¡°Left arm. Still stings.¡±

    ¡°It''s only been a day or two since ya got hurt. Should heal in a couple months though. Don¡¯t ya worry.¡± Vega wiped Valiato¡¯s nose, making her giggle a little bit. In these circumstances, the party was glad to be in bright spirits.

    ¡°If it''s the left arm, then yes, we would have matching scars.¡±

    ¡°Speaking of that, we should all have scars then-then.¡±

    ¡°Vega, you¡¯re a scarecrow. You would have¡­ more stitches?¡± Valiato tried to think of a proper name for Vega¡¯s repaired wounds.

    ¡°Difference being?¡± The scarecrow asked, rubbing her bandage nose.

    ¡°One is your body sews itself back together, the other your body is sewn back together.¡±

    ¡°Makes sense.¡± It made zero sense in Vega¡¯s mind but she wasn¡¯t here to argue. She was here to enjoy what she fought for.

    ¡°~What are you saying kid?~¡±

    ¡°~Oh. That Vega doesn¡¯t have scars.~¡±

    ¡°~Don¡¯t forget that scars exist not only in skin and bone.~¡± Amir too, in a better mood, imparted some sage wisdom to his daughter. He was so glad to do an act as lovely as teaching. Which reminded him of something. ¡°~Valiato, I think it''s time.~¡±

    ¡°Wow, Amir seems to be talking alot.¡± Florato noticed, tipsy as well so she couldn¡¯t quite understand what the Tripolian was saying. ¡°What is he saying kid?¡±

    ¡°That he wants to tell you his history.¡±

    ¡°Finally.¡± Bolato sat up, helping Skaldi sit up against one of the ship¡¯s pillars. ¡°How long have we waited again?¡±

    ¡°Fingers crossed if he has superpowers.¡± Skaldi chuckled in pain, having read a few extra pages of Bolato¡¯s comics.

    ¡°That¡¯s the idea.¡± The soldier scratch Skaldi¡¯s head affectionately.

    ¡°Can ya tell us now-now?¡±

    ¡°Sure.¡± Valiato whispered to Amir, who kept his eyes wide open, half expecting them to show him venom and wrath. From his lips, he spoke of a great saga to Valiato. One that I will not translate, for that glory goes to the ghost girl. Speaking of his background, his relationships, and he had ended up here, Valiato felt a heavy weight on her shoulders.

    Not that she hadn¡¯t been told, but that she didn¡¯t know what she had to say. Even handing over his journal, which featured appropriate illustrations and descriptions, she was at a loss of how to do it. So, she said it all.

    ¡°Ari Amir, of the former Clan Adildaque, the adopted son of a Patriarch. Having been a farmer in his youth, his life wasn¡¯t easy. His mother disappeared in the hole of gambling and alcohol. And father remained, caring for him as best he could.¡±

    ¡°I see.¡± Florato could see Amir¡¯s disposition shake ever so slightly. She saw how much he cared for his daughter at that moment.

    ¡°There wasn¡¯t any opportunity in his home, so he had joined the army alongside his father, hoping to do his time and get money to start up his own farm. Eventually, they were sent into different armies. Amir¡­ never saw his father again.¡±

    The actress, wanting to comfort the two in this retelling of painful histories moved to Amir¡¯s side and motioned for him to sit. As he sat, Florato picked Valiato up and sat her on her lap.

    ¡°He had faced the forces of Iozians in the defense of his home. Wherever he went, the Iozians pushed and conquered. His home, once a Tripolian glory, became a resort for Oligarchs. Soon, his rage would drive him to make a mistake.¡±

    ¡°What mistake? Doesn¡¯t seem like him to make one.¡± Skaldi half joked, lighting up the mood. Valiato curled her lips for a moment then she continued.

    ¡°In a duel with a centurion, he had narrowly survived and beaten his foe. The experienced left him¡­ emotionally scarred.¡± She paused, allowing the imagination of those who listened to ponder.

    ¡°At the age of twenty, he resigned from the army and set his path to becoming a hermit. Alone, but finally not being hurt no more, he found a bittersweet piece. No one to know him and no one for him to know. And yet, as he was living by the Raih Kcherzade mountains, he was approached by a man.¡±

    ¡°What man?¡± Vega scooted forward, suspecting a certain image, a certain voice to show himself.

    ¡°In armor that rivaled the centurion he fought, Amir at first thought it the wraith of the centurion he had killed. Instead, in the wispy of rocky dust, there was the Patriarch of a clever clan. Of the clan that had designed many weapons and plans that the Tripolians used.¡± Valiato kept her eyes cast to the ground and slowly raised them up at Vega. ¡°The man¡­ he was, Ani Arma.¡±

    That¡¯s ¡®he¡¯ with a capital H by the way.

    ¡°Shut up¡­¡± Vega said this in a hushed tone.

    ¡°It¡¯s true.¡± Valiato spoke again, turning to Skaldi and Bolato. ¡°Ani Arma, adopted him. Like he did to me, when no one else would have. Seeking a grand vizier to aid him and to remind him of the common man, Ani had him educated in all sorts of arts and technics.¡±

    ¡°Did he¡­ did he have anything to do with the Snake Skins?¡± Bolato couldn¡¯t help but to ask.

    ¡°No!¡± Valiato blurted, defending her father. ¡°Sorry¡­ I mean no. Ani Arma had treated him kindly, unlike any person had before, but¡­ his true colors would show.¡±

    ¡°Ani Amra¡­ I know you.¡± Vega spoke to herself, finally realizing who the Voice truly was. What did he want with her, she thought.

    You will see in time.

    ¡°First, it started with his wife.¡±

    ¡°He had a wife?¡± Florato interrupted, tilting her head at the father daughter duo.

    ¡°Is that a bad thing, girlie?¡± Skaldi brushed his hair using his thumb and moved a hand to his hip.

    ¡°No. It doesn¡¯t seem like him to have someone.¡± Florato finished, looking back down at Valiato.

    ¡°Yes. Ani Arma had forced him to marry the daughter of another clan. Galataii, the Lady striker.¡± As the kid spoke, Amir put to hands on his scarred eye, as if reminiscing the past in a mournful way. ¡°Amir accepted this, not out of love for her, but for his father.¡±

    A case of content theft: this narrative is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation.

    ¡°Amir. I¡¯m sorry.¡± Florato laid a hand on his shoulder, which he let her do before she pulled it back onto Valiato.

    ¡°Then, stuff started piling up. He had to attend meetings with other clan heads, and military officers. I don¡¯t think I need to tell you that he doesn¡¯t have a good relationship with either.¡±

    ¡°He had stayed for a lot time, right? What did he do?¡± Vega asked, hoping that what Valaito translated could reveal more about this Ani Arma.

    ¡°As he requested of Ani, his role was that of a scholar who observed from afar. Making books, writing histories, and teaching kids¡­ like me. He only helped with expanding schools in the Empire, if that¡¯s what you''re asking.¡±

    ¡°Hmm. I thought him a mercenary type. How much was the bet again Skaldi?¡±

    ¡°Bola¡­¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m kidding, kid. Please continue.¡±

    ¡°Ani put increasingly more responsibilities on him. First to advise Galataii during her practice drills, to change from teacher to military historian, and other bad jobs.¡±

    ¡°Anything with Gem Sacrifice?¡± Skaldi leaned forward, staring at Amir¡¯s eyes, hoping that he wouldn¡¯t have.

    ¡°No. Ani took care of the nasty stuff, but Ari was only his vizier. Until, one certain day. Amir had repeatedly begged not to do anymore of the tasks that were required of. Ani, with a soft voice, offered a way out. Finally, a chance to return to a simpler life, no more war.¡±

    Vega and all the others kept their ears open and their ears ready to hear. On the edge of their metaphorical seats.

    ¡°Go to a marked Hahran grave, wait until night falls and then grab the gem stone on it. He went to the grave, and wondered how simple the task was. How would this get him out of the war? He did without a way to know what it would lead too.¡±

    Bolato knew, and dreaded the moment. No one else did, but his imagination had already gotten to him. Like opening a birthday present a day before, it is sadly displeasing. Unhappy. Painful.

    ¡°He was invited to the Clan Fortress where Ani Arma had written to him that he had a most important opportunity. The Fortress was alone, not a servant or slave. Ani and Ari ate together and spoke of many pleasant things. Then, he held a charm of a gem, one of the very artifacts that Amir had recovered for Ani. It glowed with terrible power, and into the room entered¡­ a Snake Skin.¡±

    ¡°No. He was tricked?¡± Florato turned to the wall, feeling the same shame that Amir had felt since the very day.

    ¡°Yes. He doesn¡¯t know how, but that gem stone had something to do with the Snake Skin. Ani offered him a choice. Continue to study the Snake Skin and produce more Soul Gems, or be sunsetted. Amir gave him a third option, the bite of his daggers. The fight did not tell me much, but the scar speaks for itself.¡±

    ¡°Wow.¡± Florato¡¯s hand went to her mouth. As an actress, she could properly see the whole life story. At that moment, Florato gave Amir a hug. He didn;t refuse, in fact, he gave her shoulder a light squeeze before releasing. ¡°~I¡­ can¡¯t imagine how you feel.~¡±

    ¡°~No fault of my own. I had been tricked. My only sin was trusting a man who I thought cared about me.~¡±

    ¡°Huh. I had always suspected it. That Amir had too been a victim, or such. But wow, that prediction really doesn¡¯t do it justice.¡± Skaldi clicked his tongue in his mouth. Building up an awkwardness in him, he rose to his knees, wincing a little. He laid a hand on Amir¡¯s. When one learns the other is capable of pain, it is far harder to inflict it.

    ¡°Well. That was quite the story.¡± Bolato capped off the mood, handing everyone but Valiato and Vega a potted cup. ¡°Thank you to all of you. I know the last couple weeks and certainly these last couple days have not been easy.¡± Bolato said while looking at Valiato. The actress reached out for a set of Desert Mirage that Skaldi stole from the Tripolians before they had left Tuivi¡¯s Rest.

    ¡°And I personally know that I have done more.¡± Skaldi reached out his hand for the alcohol.

    ¡°What do you mean? You did a lot more than me.¡± Florato chuckled, taking a small jab at herself.

    ¡°That¡¯s true.¡± Skaldi admitted, with the actress smacking her lips flicking his forehead. ¡°I¡¯m joking! But, I wish I could have done more. Well, hang out with you guys more.¡± He slowed down, rubbing Valiato¡¯s head briefly. The elf could not wait to resume having fun without the air of death behind them. Finally, he could enjoy his friends.

    ¡°I kind of wished I listened to Amir, but then again¡­¡±

    ¡°There¡¯s nothing you could have done there kid.¡± Bolato shut down her line of thinking. Amir noticed this and gave her a reassuring nod.

    ¡°Plus, we might have been chopped up if you didn¡¯t stay. I just wished you didn¡¯t have to do that.¡± Florato hugged her tight, like a kid holding a stuffed animal. She loved this girl dearly, even if she was a ghost.

    ¡°Yeah¡­ but I feel better that we got out of there safe and sound.¡±

    ¡°So let¡¯s celebrate. To our survival!¡± Bolato raised his cup, as all the others did. Skaldi, Bolato, and Florato chugged their Mirage quickly as Amir threw the liquid over his shoulder. He wasn¡¯t one for the rum. When the three of them finished, their faces were all apple red.

    ¡°Whoo! I thought Iozian rum was strong, but this is hitting places that I didn¡¯t know could be hit. Geez!¡± Bolato shouted, not adjusting his volume.

    ¡°You know, Sabere was right. This shit is to die for.¡±

    ¡°Don''t you still have a swear counter?¡± Florato asked aloud.

    ¡°Amir changed that when she turned fourteen. Didn¡¯t you ask for that as your birthday present?¡± Bolato spoke to the kid.

    ¡°Yep! Best birthday present I ever got.¡±

    Vega wished to remain silent. Not because she felt like she didn¡¯t belong to these folk, or that she was a pathetic thing compared to them. She considered all that she was. No nerves to be nervous, no system to disable and here she only a couple months after she had left had experienced the wonder of emotion.

    Not a humble servant to their glory, but here, she wasn¡¯t an outsider. Not a girl with no ability to understand. Not an oddity to be observed and taught. Here she was, in an ephemeral tremor within her soul.

    She didn¡¯t wish to thank the Voice, for the Voice had nothing to do with it. She made the steps, spoke the words, and took the actions that helped put these people together. In her soul, she had but two things to say.

    ¡°Thank ya for taking care of yourself. And thank ya all for being with me¡±.

    Tremble!

    The ship shook to the side for a moment, causing Skaldi to spill the Mirage all over himself.

    ¡°Ahh, I just got this¡­ wait, when was the last time we all had a bath?¡±

    ¡°I could really use-use a bath-bath.¡±

    ¡°Huh. Must be a squall.¡± Bolato said, looking out to the stairway to the upper deck.

    ¡°Seagull?¡± Kaliba chirped.

    ¡°No. It¡¯s when some wind hits a boat suddenly and moves it. Could be the sign of some wind that might put us off course. Nothing to be worried about, should be fine if one of us takes down the sails.¡±

    ¡°Is that bad?¡± Valiato asked.

    ¡°No. So long as we put the sails back up when the wind picks up, we shouldn¡¯t worry about being caught. You wouldn¡¯t mind doing that Vega?¡± Bolato motions her to the main deck.

    ¡°You got it! I¡¯ll be back in a minute.¡± Vega saluted and walked up the stairs. Reaching out for the door, she had realized that it unlocked. In fact, Bolato had locked it when they had started celebrating six minutes ago.

    ¡°Huh. Right¡­¡±

    The stars sparkled in the celestial heavens, with no clouds to obscure. The yellow spores of Tuivi¡¯s Rest were several miles away. And all the pain and triumph gone with them.

    She could feel it. In her fibers and her wooden parts. She was getting close. On the brink of a great discovery. Uvi Jantok, the destination of the party, was only a day away. Along with the Lai Bank, the great jewel of the Oligarchy.

    ¡°Huh. Never robbed a place before. We''ll never robbed a place-place on purpose.¡± Keeping her mind actively while she reefed the sails, she spoke about all the events that had transpired. If she could walk towards the Voice¡¯s origins and what the name Kaliber meant to her, she believed it a few steps away. ¡°Wonder what Ren is doing. Maybe I should ask for it¡­¡±

    Finishing her job, she jumped back down to the main deck. Resting her head on the ship¡¯s balcony, she took off her hat and laid it on her chest. The moon was in perfect view, a milkdrop of weak yet beautiful peace. What emerged was a delicate peace. Half a perfect crescent, the other a burning flame of white. A muse for her soul. What inspired her.

    ¡°The moon¡­¡±

    ¡°The moon is pretty tonight.¡± That wasn¡¯t her voice. She lifted her gaze and saw a shadow. Not a shadow of a person, but a shadow person. The person looked like her. A bastardization of her. A foul copy.

    Then she realized it. The flare, the flare wasn¡¯t meant to alert Runtaii or Sabere! But this shadow.

    ¡°Who are ya?¡±

    ¡°...The fifth Assassin.¡± The shadow swirled around in a helix, shifting and melting before assuming what could only be known as her base form. A young fighter, with spiked black hair in pigtails and white skin the color of sea foam. Her eyelashes were¡­ uneven and lopsided. Her outfit was indeed, that of Sabere¡¯s.

    An awful burn scar that exposed her teeth showed a terrible grin. This elf was a ghost of the past.

    ¡°Want to see a magic trick?¡± Pulling a black ball from her pouch, a pearl fuse came out of the ball. Igniting it, she threw the bomb down at Vega¡¯s feet!

    ¡°Skaldi! Everyone! There¡¯s a-¡±

    FAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAATOMB!

    Then, a blinding white. The scarecrow had been knocked out.

    Damn it! The peace only lasted for seven minutes. Well¡­ there¡¯s always next time.

 Chapter 44: Keys to Kaliber! (Part 1!)

    Chapter 44: Keys to Kaliber! (Part 1!)

    Normally, I might say a bit of bizarre history or some random nonsense in the effort of seeming smarter than I actually am. But I know neither you, my dear student, or I, the beautiful ruler that I am, want that.

    What do you want to know?

    ¡°What the fuck happened?¡± Vega yelled out, suddenly sitting up, awoken from being knocked out. Ren, along with his family, were right above her.

    ¡°~Uh, nice to see you again?~¡± Ren shrugged, swimming around Vega.

    ¡°~Oh! I¡¯m in water¡­ I¡¯m in water!~¡± The scarecrow panicked, hopping up. To where she had expected to land on her feet, she fell forward once again.  ¡°Darn. What¡¯s wrong?¡± Turning over to her side, she saw that her legs had been blown off up to the knees. All that remained was one of her boots, charred and bent.

    ¡°Huh. Cool!¡± Calming down and admiring her lost limbs, she took her time to see the place she now was. Halls of basalt rock shaped into stone cavernous, archer hallways, and salmon colored stained glass. These windows were high up and shimmered lights that moved in the pattern of water. She wasn¡¯t in water, she was underwater.

    The air had an icy sensation, like dipping your hands in a bowl of cold water. The merfolk, encased in water bubbles, swam around her with ease. Around their necks, hands, and gills were charms of flowers that resembled the opening mouth of a fish. Floating in a way, or rather, swimming in a floating bubble of water.

    ¡°~This is so weird. Can ya help me up?~¡±

    ¡°~Got it Vega.~¡± Using one arm, he hooked it under her arms and carried her up. Getting a better view of the space she was in, this wasn¡¯t a singular outpost. This had to be the home of the mermaids.

    Gardens of swinging bottle shaped plants on the floor, leisure rooms with walls lined up of various sea creature heads, much like a trophy room. Vega¡¯s eyes were having a feast of all this lake world wonder. But that creeping worry got to her? Why wasn¡¯t she awake? Why wasn¡¯t she on the ship?

    ¡°~Ren. Tell me what happened.~¡± She asked, with a look of authority.

    ¡°~Okay. Uhh, we were transporting those Iozians they you guys got from the port, right? And as my family were transporting them, I decided to check up on you guys.~¡± Ren used his off arm to push off the walls, as one would in a constructed pool.

    ¡°~Just ya-ya?~¡±

    ¡°~Yeah, we didn¡¯t think anything went wrong since you guys got the people out. As I was heading back to where you guys had set sailed to, I saw an explosion come from the top of the ship. Then another, and two more!~¡±

    ¡°...No way.¡± Vega remembered that shadow. The shadow that took the form of herself and blonde haired assassin. The whole event clarified, the celebration and the confrontation. But that still leaves two things unanswered. ¡°~Did ya see anyone leave?~¡±

    ¡°~Did I -what? I was too busy trying to get help for you guys.~¡±

    ¡°~...Then where is everyone else?~¡±

    ¡°NO! No way bro!¡± Skaldi, somehow not hungover from all the rum he drank, was holding onto a pile of molten metal. A pile of yellow molten metal. A pile of golden molten metal. All the fucking gold was gone. Black powder streaks all of it, the form of the body was that of the box they had carried the gold in, now looking like an frozen overflowing cake in a mold.

    ¡°Hubby-¡±

    ¡°Don¡¯t hubby me. All of our hard earned coin is gone!¡± His red hair hid most of his expression, but his voice was of astonishing despair. Not the type that accompanies death, although that is funny. Instead, it is the type that finds its company in gamblers that have lost it all or overreacting idiots.

    ¡°Skaldi.¡± Bolato sternly spoke and stomped his foot on the ground. ¡°We still have the plans, we still have the stuff you stole from Jao and the ship, and we¡¯re still alive.¡± The soldier raised his arms to all around them. In a circular hall with gothic pillars with great windows of glass, showing the outside Thrakian Sea.

    The stolen goods and most of their belongings were being piled up by the mermaids that floated over. Sure, all of it was waterlogged, but it was there.

    ¡°But¡­ but the gold? What I¡¯m holding on to is the corpse of ten thousand gold damn pieces!¡±

    ¡°Sweetie, your wounds are going to reopen if you keep being hysterical. Again, we are alive.¡± Bolato crossed his arms, realizing that a purely problem solving mentality wouldn¡¯t make Skaldi suddenly happy. This was a real loss, the soldier couldn¡¯t deny that.

    ¡°We can always get more money, Ska.¡± Valiato walked up to the upset elf and sat on her knees.

    ¡°~Leave the boy alone. It is good for feminine men to cry. Good for the soul and a laugh.~¡± Amir pulled Valiato back up, holding on to her delicate hands. ¡°~Heh. Even after fighting like hell, the sodomite doesn¡¯t change much.~¡±

    ¡°~Ari¡­~¡±

    ¡°~I¡¯m kidding. A little bit, at least.~¡±

    ¡°Guys-guys!¡± Vega¡¯s voice echoed down from high above, as she now crashed into a pile of random goods. Sending Tripolian coins and other trinkets rolling around, Vega crawled out from Skaldi¡¯s stolen goods and before the team.

    ¡°Hello¡­ Vega?¡± Valiato tilted her whole torso, sparing no time but to notice her new change. ¡°Are you alright?¡±

    ¡°Oh yeah. It''s a new weight loss program I¡¯m on. Lost ten pounds in less than a week, and with this new health supplement, ya can do this too!¡±

    ¡°What¡¯s the supplement?¡±

    ¡°A bomb.¡±

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    ¡°Go figure.¡± Valiato chuckled, looking at Amir in a way that prompted him to sigh and to start fixing up Vega. This was more an art than a medical science. Skaldi, upon seeing Vega in her normal mood, calmed down and wiped his eyes briefly. His face craned up towards the soldier.

    ¡°You know, you should probably go on a weight loss thingy.¡±

    ¡°I try!¡± Bolato spread out his arms and his feet, making a starfish motion. ¡°But my body isn¡¯t working with me quite. Like when you guys were gone, I stepped on the scale you stole. An hour after I went to the bathroom, I stepped on it again and somehow came back five pounds heavier.¡±

    ¡°Haha.¡± Skaldi stood up, putting his fingers over his mouth, finally turning away from the scrap gold. ¡°You have a way of making me giggle, sweetie.¡±

    ¡°You know what they say, make them giggle and their cheeks will clap and jiggle.¡±

    ¡°...You mean my face right?¡± Skaldi squinted up at Bolato. ¡°OH! I get it. He means my ass, funny joke.¡±

    ¡°By the-the way, where is Florato?¡± Vega kicked her feet up. Well, she didn¡¯t have any feet, but the Tripolian and the kid tied handkerchiefs around the stumps, in a sort of vain way to show that they tried to fix her. So she kicked up her stumps.

    ¡°She went to an upstate farm and isn¡¯t coming back.¡±

    ¡°Skaldi.¡±

    ¡°Fine.¡± The elf rolled his eyes and slowly got up with the help of Bolato. Wincing slightly, he strained his voice as he spoke. ¡°She¡¯s currently having one of those periods that women just love to have at the most convenient of times.¡±

    ¡°See? That¡¯s better.¡±

    ¡°I guess you¡¯re right.¡± Skaldi still held contempt for his own femininity, but made progress on accepting it in others. He smiled, as if secretly enjoying a future banter session with the actress.

    ¡°Good. Now what about the gold?¡± The scarecrow couldn¡¯t help but to ask.

    ¡°Ow.¡± Skaldi dully spoke as his hand reached up for his eyepatch.

    ¡°You alright?¡± Bolato held Skaldi by his shoulders, making sure he wouldn¡¯t fall over.

    ¡°No, just a headache. And just the fact all the gold is gone.¡±

    ¡°Ha, ya sure have a way of forgetting things.¡± Vega, when finishing her sentence, opened up her jacket. In her stomach and chest were hundreds of gold pieces, and with the shining sea lights, made circles and rings of dazzling light. To the whole party, the sight was dizzying.

    ¡°Oh thank the spirits! We¡¯re saved.¡± Skaldi clasped his hands together, raising them high over his head.

    ¡°I wouldn¡¯t be so sure.¡± A voice behind all of them shot out. Stepping out in cloaked darkness, the caramel actress of long golden hair. Florato had returned, with a piece of toilet paper on her sandaled feet.

    ¡°Pretty lady!¡±

    ¡°Glad that you¡¯re safe.¡± Florato crouched down and hugged the scarecrow, as one would to an old friend. ¡°How the hell are you able to survive a bomb and carry all that gold?¡±

    ¡°My body is very stubborn.¡±

    ¡°~Hey Vega!~¡± Ren had patiently been waiting for her to finish reuniting with her friends. ¡°~Are your people ready to choose what rewards they want?~¡±

    ¡°~One second, alright?~¡±

    ¡°~Okay. But we¡¯ll been waiting a lot time.~¡±

    ¡°~We¡¯ve literally just got our boat destroyed, please-please cut us some slack.~¡± Vega waved her charred boat at Ren, causing her to shrink and back up.

    ¡°Okay, we need to discuss some thing-things.¡±

    ¡°Yeah. Like what caused the explosion.¡± Bolato placed a hand on his chin and his eyes started wandering to Skaldi¡¯s stolen shit.

    ¡°Hey! I didn¡¯t grab anything that could explode like that. Plus, the explosions came from the upper deck, remember?¡± Skaldi tried to put a hand on his hip but he stopped, wincing for having used his wounded arm.

    ¡°Definitely had to be something she saw. What do you see?¡± Florato knelt down to Vega¡¯s height and laid one hand on her shoulder.

    ¡°It was¡­ an Assassin guy?¡± Recollecting the frightful memory, she tried to compose a proper retelling of events.

    ¡°~What¡¯s an Assassin Ari?~¡±

    ¡°~Sneakly killers. Don¡¯t worry.~¡±

    ¡°She looked like me. Then changed to look like herself. So cool! But also very concerning.¡± Putting a finger to her mouth, Vega rationalized how the assassin operated.

    ¡°Hmm. Must be a shapeshifter.¡± Skaldi wagged his fist to everyone, speaking with confidence. ¡°What kind of hair did her¡­ normal form have?¡±

    ¡°Black, spiky pigtails. Weird eyelashes.¡±

    ¡°Oh. Oh shit.¡± Skaldi muttered.

    ¡°Why, what¡¯s wrong with being blond?¡± Florato got up in an offended way.

    ¡°Nothing, its just¡­ that¡¯s how the Fliction fairy looks.¡± Skaldi stepped to Vega¡¯s side. ¡°The type of fairy my people used to worship.¡±

    ¡°Wait, they recruited a Galtian elf?¡± Bolato raise his hands to his face, as if he were hiding a roll of dice.

    ¡°No-no. The Galtian tribe are Flictions elves, but a Fliction fairy is a common spirit in all elvish peoples. But that couldn¡¯t mean¡­¡± Skaldi held a secret discussion in his mind. Too many events and operations were off.

    First, Gem Sacrifice in Fort Jao, now a Fliction fairy as an Assassin? Who and what forces had used these wholesome and noble parts of his people to commit violence?

    ¡°We need to establish how this Assassin, whatever it is got to us. It¡¯s not like we advertised our position.¡± Speaking in a tactician¡¯s manner, Bolato circled around the whole group.

    ¡°What about me?¡± Vega raised her hand as she offered an answer. ¡°I mean, when I worked in Vein Xinyuai, I got along with the demon there-there pretty easily. And the priest in Jinmai seemed to be pretty interested in me.¡±

    ¡°Nothing seems to be particularly celestial about you.¡± Bolato waved the answer away.

    ¡°Are we really going to dismiss that?¡± Florato countered, having two fists on her hips. ¡°Didn¡¯t you say that Vega wrote stuff in Tripolian, even though that she doesn¡¯t know how to?¡±

    ¡°Yes but-¡±

    ¡°And you Skaldi,¡± Florato continued, not allowing her argument to be put aside, ¡°you also saw that Vega has shifted in her demeanor when upset?¡±

    ¡°That¡¯s¡­ also true. Although it doesn¡¯t happen often, hay girl over here changes weirdly.¡± Skaldi brushed her head affectionately, almost noogling her.

    ¡°And¡­ I don¡¯t think I need to say this to ya, but the Voice. The Voice is saying more, uncomforting things.¡± Vega said this with a smile on her face. She wasn¡¯t entirely fearless of it, but she knew that its attacks could be thwarted.

    ¡°Right.¡± The soldier paused his circling and stopped at Florato¡¯s side. Not turning his head, he closed his eyes, keen on listening. ¡°I¡¯ll admit. That is certainly not the idea I was going for.¡±

    ¡°Is that a bad-bad thing?¡±

    ¡°No sweetie. It just means there''s more to you than what we¡¯ve initially thought.¡± The actress took Vega into her arms, with the scarecrow hanging on to her by the neck.

    ¡°I¡¯m okay with that. So long as ya guys are there!¡± She gave a goofy giggle and snuggled up to the actress.

    Florato loved Vega as much as she loved herself. And in that aim, she wished to see her succeed and improve.

    ¡°Call it over speculation, but I know there''s something more. Look, I¡¯m just an actress that looks pretty. But as an actress, Vega is acting out parts that she and none of us truly know the scripts for.¡±

    ¡°Can those fairies detect celestial stuff?¡± Valiato wanted to join in, not wishing to be an absent party in the discussion.

    ¡°Yeah. While Galtian spirits can¡¯t speak to each on our plane, fairies can. They kinda act as messengers.¡± Skaldi couldn¡¯t exactly find the equivalent of Fliction fairies to Iozian fairies, so he opted to summarize their roles. ¡°Still, why would they destroy the boat and leave us alive?

    ¡°Maybe they didn¡¯t know we had mermaid friends? They could have just thought we¡¯d drown-drown. Well, ya guys drown-drown.¡± Vega replied.

    ¡°Perhaps¡­¡± Florato tried to accept this possibility, but her emotional heart struggled to. There had to be more, this couldn¡¯t have been a simple assassination.

    ¡°Now that we¡¯re done-done discussing bad stuff, who wants to get some loot?!¡±

    ¡°Me!¡± The elf exclaimed, leaping high into the water colored air.

 Chapter 44: Keys to Kaliber! (Part 2!)

    Chapter 44: Keys to Kaliber! (Part 2!)

    This place was no sanctuary for mermaids. Neon glowing plants light the hallways. Tubes clearer than crystal water connecting into alleys and highways. As Ren led them to a great gate, mermaid writing was sculpted over it. ¡°Lake¡¯s Air¡± in a violet lettering, in a royal fashion that intimated. This was a underwater city.

    Buttresses supported the walls and carried the shape of a strong man holding an avalanche back. On the doors were spheres of amber, each with an ancient animal inside, like containing some prehistoric danger. And the handles to the door were of coal black and reflected the expressions of whoever looked into them. Sophisticated and suspenseful were the words Skaldi thought.

    ¡°~Ya get any visitors?~¡±

    ¡°~Back a month ago, yeah. Now, it''s just those damned pirates.~¡±

    ¡°~Don¡¯t worry I doubt they¡¯ll be giving ya any more trouble.~¡± Vega held tightly onto Ren¡¯s arm in an affectionate manner, prompting him to brush his hair and to blush.

    ¡°Do you think she can date people?¡± Skaldi held a hand to his mouth and spoke aside to Bolato. A wisp of air blew some hair in his face, forcing him to brush it with his thumb.

    ¡°Skaldi, I¡¯m not even sure Vega has that same motivation that makes people date.¡± Bolato said, sneezing soon after.

    ¡°Well, she did call me pretty. She even hired me because of it.¡± Florato joined in as they continued up the steps, pulling her clothes as a shiver came to her.

    ¡°No. I hired ya because ya I wanted ya to stay-stay with me.¡±

    ¡°Isn¡¯t that buying friendship?¡± Bolato squinted at Vega, tugging at his sleeves when a cold breeze passed from the door.

    ¡°Yeah. I guess that would be it-it.¡±

    ¡°Hold on, you treated me with respect and dignity when all the other guys didn¡¯t. That counts for something Vega.¡± Lifting her finger to her, Florato maintained a calm argumentative tone.

    ¡°Didn¡¯t she say she liked your boobs?¡± Skaldi made a circling gesture at Florato¡¯s chest before she slapped his hand.

    ¡°There''s a very different way a man wanting to use you talks about boobs, versus a friend who talks about your boobs. Trust me, I would know the difference.¡± Florato crossed her arms and shifted on her hip to stare down Skaldi in a proud manner.

    ¡°Is the difference in size?¡±

    ¡°Oh shut it!¡± The actress in an amused outrage slapped Skaldi¡¯s shoulder, making both Bolato and Skaldi chuckle in response.

    ¡°I got you there.¡±

    ¡°Vega is a kind friend, and if she likes my tig bitties in that manner, good. She treats me with human decency and that¡¯s that.¡±

    ¡°There¡¯s an elf and a mermaid here.¡± Valiato pointed out.

    ¡°Oh, sorry. She treats me with sentient decency and that¡¯s that.¡± Florato raised her head high, satisfied with her justification of her friendship with a living scarecrow. ¡°Just be glad I¡¯m in such a good mood. If this conversation took an hour early, I would have made Skaldi blind.¡±

    ¡°Even with my ruined eye, you wouldn¡¯t get the chance girlie.¡± Playfully bumping her hip with his, Skaldi knocked her slightly off balance, making an annoyed smile.

    ¡°That still doesn¡¯t answer the question though. Vega, do you like girls or guys?¡± Bolato raised one eyebrow, ready to hear her answer.

    ¡°I have to choose one?¡± The scarecrow replied in sudden shock, just as a hurricane-like wind blew open. Hair flew back and covered eyes, clothes shook and rippled, and everyone struggled to get a footing.

    Everyone except Ren, cause¡­ he doesn¡¯t¡­ whatever-anyway, a blizzard cold took everyone, bringing goosebumps and chattering teeth as the wind slowed.

    ¡°~Is everyone good?~¡± Ren swam down to the party after opening the gate. Their feet had frost connecting to the ground along with strained expressions as if their faces were being pulled back.

    ¡°~Never-better!~¡± She gave a thumbs up as the last vestiges of her legs had blown up in the wind.

    Shaking the cold off briefly, a beam of light came in view. From between the opening of the gate, an almost wintery shine broke through. No one remarked at its elegance or how foreboding the light really. The party actions were that of moving forward and keeping their dry eyes open.

    Passing through the gate, a spiraling depression surrounded by flights of streets both on the ground and the ceiling revealed themselves. A jagged and pore filled lantern floated in the certain of what seemed to be a hall of governance. Fabrics of fish leather made carpets and banners, with the carapace of large clams making tables and shelves, holding sheets of salted stone tablets.

    A stairway leading down revealed that this very staircase went down the spiraling hole, as if that very hole held a monstrous secret. All of them could feel the great

    Above and below, there were merfolk of all sizes and races. Some with crablike lower halves and jaws of incisors. Others had flexible bodies that of eels, with slimy spines that looked like the wild hair of tribals. And yet, their clothing of polymer glass hats along with robes of intertwined fish skin. Perhaps the mermaids they saved were victims, but these were the rulers of this underwater world.

    Surprising and much to their comfort, the Iozians that they had saved from the port all sat together in one long flight of chairs. The soldier broke off from the group and bowed to the folk.

    ¡°Hello people. Don¡¯t worry, you all are in good hands now.¡± An old mixed race woman walked jittery up to Bolato when he finished. Her skin was of segmented plates and her lips were an unnatural and weak orange.

    ¡°Thank you for your kindness, dear boy. Tell us, what do the merfolk have planned for us?¡± She knocked her finger knuckles togethers, making a wooden chittering. Bolato looked around, glad to see that the children weren''t shaken up much. Their efforts had stopped the making of more ghosts.

    ¡°I don¡¯t not yet know ma¡¯am. But I assured you, we¡¯re working with them.¡±

    ¡°Bola, there are a lot of merfolk here.¡± Valiato yelled out.

    ¡°And?¡±

    ¡°Nothing, just wanted to let you know.¡±

    ¡°Right¡­uh, you have a good time miss.¡± Bowing quickly, the soldier returned to the party¡¯s side.

    ¡°This place is so-¡±

    ¡°Weird?¡± Skaldi stuck his neck down to the kid.

    ¡°I was thinking cool, but weird can be cool too.¡± Valiato looked up at Skaldi but her head craned up to the ceiling. Skaldi followed suit and soon found what caught her eye. Recorianism and its symbols were glowing on the ceiling. This put Skaldi, Valiato, and Amir at mild discomfort, for they believed that the mermaids were not an Iozian people.

    ¡°Welcome, dear visitors!¡± A gravely and haunting voice shot out from the spiraling hole, sounding like the very words were twirling. ¡°You have done a great deed for us¡­¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m starting to think we should leave.¡± Valiato tugged on Amir¡¯s robe, but the Tripolian didn¡¯t move. His eyes were trained on the lantern, which shook in the same fashion Sabere¡¯s lamb did. Instead of smoke, a whirling pool of liquid exitted the the hole and went towards the lantern, enveloping it. All of the merfolk bowed their heads and started to chant.

    ¡°~...Could it be? The first time I¡¯ve ever seen one face to face?~¡±

    ¡°~What are you talking about Amir?~¡± As Valiato pleaded with her father to answer, Ren swam closer to the lantern, bringing Vega closer to it.

    If you find this story on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the infringement.

    ¡°Yay! I get to go to the front!¡±

    ¡°For your service, Bolato¡­¡±

    ¡°How do they know my name?¡± The soldier was finally off put, stepping back slightly. He turned his head to the merfolk, as their chanting grew louder and ever more devoted.

    ¡°Skaldi¡­¡± The voice began to come only from the water and lantern.

    ¡°I just fought a giant smoke guy yesterday, I¡¯m not doing this today too!¡±

    ¡°Valiato¡­¡±

    ¡°Hi?¡± Sheepishly, she waved her hand at the lantern, as it now became a ball of magnificent powered water.

    ¡°Amir¡­¡±

    ¡°~What? How did I understand that?~¡±

    ¡°Florato¡­¡±

    ¡°...hmm? Sorry, I wasn¡¯t paying attention.¡±

    ¡°And finally¡­ Vega!¡± With triumphant shouting, a great feminine voice broke out, as suddenly the ball of water and lantern took the form of a marvelous beauty. A woman of dazzling wavy hair, eyes made of precious pearls, and the skin of statueques scales formed out of celestial water. Around her eyes and gills were wrinkles that of middle age, and on her shoulder was a beefy lobster, seemingly an old pet.

    ¡°~Hi ma!~¡± Ren gave her a sweet hug around the shoulders. The woman brought him close in a maternal and tender manner.

    ¡°Hello sweetie, how was saving the people from becoming slaves?¡± She talked like the event was a school trip or a playdate with friends.

    ¡°~Good. I told you about my new friend right?~¡± Aiming his hand to Vega, he smiles in an introductory fashion.

    ¡°Hello, how are ya doing?¡± Vega pushed back her hair, ready to impress.

    ¡°Oh. It¡¯s-I mean- she¡¯s a scarecrow. Delightful.¡±

    ¡°Thanks and I get that a lot-lot.¡± Vega pulled Ren and pointed back to where her party was. Letting go, Ren let her fall into Florato¡¯s arms. No one had even begun to even respond.

    ¡°I know you all might be a bit unorthodox-¡±

    ¡°Unfucking orthodox?!¡± Skaldi shouted, his composure broken. ¡°Who are you and how do you know us?¡±

    ¡°Listen close sweetie. I¡¯m not your ordinary lady, I am the Nymph Yukos!¡±

    ¡°~Surprise! My mom is celestial.~¡± Ren scratched his head, as if he were embarrassed by such an incredible honor.

    ¡°~So ya knew what Soul Gems were the entire time?~¡±

    ¡°~Yeah, I kinda wanted to see how you would explain¡­ you did, in your own way.~¡± Ren chuckled, glad to see the shock in her face.

    ¡°She¡¯s¡­perfect.¡± Florato fell to her knees and reached out to the nymph, as if touching her would grant such immaculate beauty. Not that is exploited, but commands others.

    ¡°I don¡¯t know about that-that. She doesn¡¯t have as big as boobs as Florato.¡± The scarecrow pulled her out of her stupor, leaving her both charmed and slightly annoyed.

    ¡°And¡­?¡±

    ¡°She always doesn¡¯t have the same care of her hair, makeup, and ultimately doesn¡¯t care-care about me the way ya do buddy.¡± Vega added, hugging Florato tightly. For a moment, the actress had been frightened that Vega was just going to refer to only as eye candy.

    ¡°You really should say more than people¡¯s appearance when talking about them.¡±

    ¡°Yeah. I¡¯m very insecure about my appearance.¡± Vega stopped smiling, revealing a doubt in herself.

    ¡°What was that Vega?¡± Florato tilted her head in concern.

    ¡°Want to get some free-free shit?¡± Vega ignored her and turned her head to Skaldi.

    ¡°Free shit? Don¡¯t mind if I do.¡± Skaldi brushed himself off and threw his hair over his shoulder.

    ¡°As for your rewards, we will gladly grant you any request from our catalog.¡± Yukos palmed her hands together as the merfolk cheered and threw confetti all around. The staircase around them wobbled and broke off from the floor, making the whole party crouch and hold onto each other.

    ¡°I¡¯m so confused. But I¡¯m also really glad we get magic shit now¡­¡± Skaldi whispered to Bolato, as he held his back.

    Divine and demonic powers can shape the world. But for the common sentient being, Soul Gems are but a droplet to a waterfall. A powerful droplet, yes, but as insignificant and erasable as a droplet.

    Skaldi realized he was but one person in a world full of people. Yet, the chance for magic was right here, right now. It means power. It means might. It means the power to do what''s right. Floating just before the Nymph Yukos, Ren swam to their side, allowing them to get used to this event.

    ¡°Wow! We are so high up.¡± Florato peered her head over the edge, seeing the merfolk were a hundred feet below her, becoming specks and circles of colors. ¡°Are you going to let us fall?¡±

    ¡°Don¡¯t be silly sister!¡± Yukos swam above her head and shoved her face into her¡¯s. ¡°If I wanted to hurt any of you, I would have done that already¡­¡±

    ¡°~Mom! They saved me and our family, remember?!~¡± Ren pushed her away from the actress and held a spooked expression on his face.

    ¡°Oh right. I¡¯m sorry sister-¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m not your sister.¡± Florato turned her back on the nymph and shook her head, swaying her golden hair around. She was already annoyed by the Nymph¡¯s antics, like how a woman puts on an easily noticed false persona.

    ¡°I¡¯m sorry Florato-¡±

    ¡°Don¡¯t call me that, that¡¯s weird that you know our names!¡±

    ¡°Okay, okay. Miss?¡±

    ¡°That¡¯s a lot better. See?¡± Florato, although practiced the religion of Recor, treated this nymph like an intrusive mother, one that you might read in children¡¯s novels.

    ¡°Miss, I guarantee none of you or your mortal friends any harm. In fact, I wish to give on to you the best gifts I can provide. Honey?¡± She bumped her head on the lobster that stood on her shoulder. It first went over her back and trotted back over to view with a book encrusted with barnacles and algae.

    ¡°From this very book, is all that we can provide.¡± The lobster spook in an elderly and tired manner, like a farmer that had just finished work on a hot day. His voice too was understood by Amir and Ren, despite speaking in Iozian.

    ¡°~Wait¡­ this your dad-dad?~¡± Vega lowered her head to the lobster, inspecting its orange carapace form.

    ¡°~Yes. Is that a problem?~¡± Ren swam above her, ready to defend his father.

    ¡°~No-no silly. But I am wondering what type of spirit he is. Is he-he also a nymph, or some kind or fairy?~¡±

    ¡°Oh, you are just adorable. My husband is only a lobster. The oldest lobster in all of existence!¡±

    ¡°Oh. Okay.¡± Vega accepted it, as if she were only talking about the weather.

    ¡°What? But¡­ how do you¡­ have a¡­ what the fuck?¡± Skaldi couldn¡¯t wrap his head around the concept.

    ¡°Yeah and how the fuck?¡± Florato added, looking back towards the elf.

    ¡°~Religion is weird. I don¡¯t get it.~¡± Valiato grabbed her turban in sustained disgust and confusion.

    ¡°~If this makes you feel any better, the Gods of Tripolia aren¡¯t anymore normal.~¡±

    ¡°~No, it really doesn¡¯t.~¡±

    ¡°Calm down you all.¡± Yukos lowered her arms and shoulders and put up a voice that made her seem hurt. ¡°You don¡¯t wish to hurt my husband¡¯s feelings, do you?¡±

    ¡°Can you at least explain it?¡± Skaldi gestured back to her husband in a circling fashion.

    ¡°I can handle this.¡± Bolato snapped his fingers at Yukos, upon which she nodded and let him go ahead. ¡°You don¡¯t need to have, how to put this¡­ ¡®mortal sex¡¯ to have a child. So long as one of the parents is a celestial being, they can have a kid with anything.¡±

    ¡°That also includes inanimate objects and none sentient creatures.¡± The lobster joined in the lecture.

    ¡°Just imbue my essence and my husband¡¯s together, head over to the Optima Matai, wait nine months, and blam! We got a beautiful mermaid son.¡± She squeezed Ren in her arms in a genuine showing of motherly love.

    ¡°So that¡¯s the idea.¡± Bolato finished, leaving Florato and Valiato modestly satisfied with the answer.

    ¡°Okay, that makes some sense.¡± Skaldi raised his finger and stepped cautiously to the nymph. ¡°However, why a lobster?¡±

    ¡°Well, he gives just the best back scratches. And also remembers all of merfolk history, but the backscratches are really a must.¡±

    ¡°~Question Nymph.~¡± Surprisingly, Amir spoke up, holding out his journal with a pencil in hand. ¡°~Are sirens and mermaids related and do mermaids eat people?~¡±

    ¡°Oh, honey. Do you mind?¡±

    ¡°Certain sweetie. I am witness to the times when sirens lured humanoids to the waters. But sirens existed in the sea and sky, rather than being a purely aquatic being.¡± His tone took that of a professor, using his claws to point at whatever subject he was teaching. ¡°And no, the mermaid eating people myth is just a bit of shame they hold over from the siren days.¡±

    Amir took all of it and seemed to both write down and scratch out notes. Not only this, Vega seemed to be joining him in recording this bit of knowledge and event.

    ¡°~Thank you wiseman. Sorry if I and our company have offended you sir.~¡±

    ¡°No need. This interaction is something I am used to. It is funny really, that people are more amazed by our relationship rather than the fact I can speak.¡±

    ¡°~Well, birds can speak too.~¡±

    ¡°I suppose that is true.¡±

    ¡°Can we get on with the whole free stuff? Show us the catalog!¡± The elf bounced with excitement, ready to both leave the uncomfortable topic behind and onto riches beyond mortal comparison.

    ¡°One more thing-thing!¡±

    ¡°Come on Vega, I want to get out of here!¡± Skaldi yelled at her, sore at the building tension.

    ¡°It will be a quick one Skaldi. Why didn¡¯t ya just eat-eat the Tripolians? Or fight them?¡±

    ¡°Oh. Well¡­¡± Yukos seemed a little embarrassed, as a pink blush took her entire face.

    ¡°A nymph doesn¡¯t have the same powers when it leaves a holy place. Unlike spirits, sprites, or fairies, nymphs are not as mobile.¡± The lobster clarified, explaining the reasoning for his wife.

    ¡°And¡­ my grandma had an accident with a ship once. An oligarch rammed the ship¡¯s nose into her belly and ended up killing her. He didn¡¯t even mean to do it, he was just drunk and thought that grandma was an island he could land on.¡± Yukos appeared more humiliated by that event rather than because she wouldn¡¯t survive a fight.

    ¡°Yes¡­¡± The lobster conceded but still continued. ¡°And we merfolk are not fighting people. We sport no fangs like werefolk, no speed like demons, and none of the weapons that Iozians have. When the pirates first came, they caught us off guard. Our only escape was to hide in our homes and hope that someone could free them. And those people¡­ are you.¡±

    ¡°Huh. You sure know how to make someone feel warm inside.¡± Skaldi cooled, letting his excitement go and recognizing their act was more about any monetary benefit. But about the lives they saved and protected.

    ¡°So, allow us to grant your grand gifts!¡± Yukos swirled around the whole hall, gaining cheers and jubilation from the merfolk and the Iozians, who put on smiles and whistles.

 Chapter 44: Keys to Kaliber! (Part 3!)

    Chapter 44: Keys to Kaliber! (Part 3!)

    With two claws, the lobster pulled opened the catalouge, displaying all the available boons to them. Florato, Skaldi, and Vega stepped back, letting the others have a go at it.

    Kaliba, technically a member of the party, awarded himself a crown. No, I¡¯m fucking with you, the crow ordered a crown of sea amber. Dare I say, it may be both the stupidest and coolest thing they requested for.

    ¡°Royal-royal.¡±

    ¡°That¡¯s right Kaliba. Ya are a royal-royal!¡±

    Bolato had a more modest initial wish, to have a new boat. As you might suspect, the merfolk have no need of boats and the only boats that remained were sunken ones. Accepting the facts, Bolato requested a set of medals for all of his team. ¡®The Mermaid Eyes¡¯ were commissioned and every member wore them on their chest, not out of pride, but out of service.

    ¡°Not bad, mister soldier.¡± Skaldi said, putting the badge on Bolato himself.

    ¡°I try to please.¡± Bolato smiled and gave Skaldi a quick kiss on the cheek (which one, I¡¯ll let you decide).

    Valiato, conflicted with two choices, asked Amir to break the decision. Seeing a set of dice made out of fine silver along with a crate of ancient fireworks, Valiato couldn¡¯t pick one over the other. Amir, remembering how she looked when she played with fireworks with the elf, chose the fireworks. As the crate fell to her hands, her eyes were full of crazed wonder. He felt a faint bit of regret but it faded away as she showed it off to Skaldi.

    ¡°Look, look!¡±

    ¡°Nice Valiato. We can play with them when we¡¯re done.¡±

    As for Amir, he didn¡¯t have any strong emotions as the lobster read out the catalog. Until, he remembered Florato¡¯s kind acts to his daughter throughout the entire journey. From painting their nails to being respectful of her even though she was a ghost.

    ¡°~Florato. What would you like?~¡±

    ¡°~Umm.~¡± The actress strained to understand Amir, although she wasn¡¯t the best in Tripolian, but it was more because he offered his own request. ¡°~Are you sure?~¡±

    ¡°~Yes. I wouldn¡¯t have asked you if I wasn¡¯t. Now please, what would you like?~¡± When Amir finished, Florato brushed her hair from her forehead and played with a bit. She nodded her head and clicked her tongue, ready to answer.

    ¡°~How about a¡­ beautiful and strong set of armor for me? I could probably use that to get a gig or two.~¡±

    Yukos granted her wish, crafting a master set of armor in the style of her tribe, the Jukikos people. Pauldrons with ornaments of striped feathers, a helmet of yellow gem stones and extending visor, and combined with a well fitted dress that complimented her feminine strength and charm.

    ¡°Looking good Florato! Love the gold cape.¡±

    ¡°That¡¯s just my hair Vega. But yeah, this is pretty nice.¡±

    The actress attempted to persuade Amir to ask for a wish, but he refused. Feeling a bit ashamed she wondered what Amir would want. Choosing more on instinct rather than speculation, she requested a book.

    Specifically, they had in their catalog a book of a Tripolian tale named ¡°Ali Baba and the Forty Thieves¡±. She knew of the story, learning it in her schooling, but had never gotten the chance to perform. Perhaps with learning how to read and write, she would adapt it and perform in front of him.

    ¡°~Did you request a study book?~¡± Amir questioned.

    ¡°~It¡¯s a¡­ book I will study?~¡±

    ¡°~...Fair enough.~¡±

    Standing before the Yukos, made Skaldi feel a bit ironic. Here he was, a Galtian elf, standing before an Recorian nymph. Roaming through his mind, he remembered all the events that took place that had brought him here. In one of those memories, were of his tribe''s spirits.

    The packs of some of their bones survived the ship¡¯s destruction, but he had forgotten his duty. His respect of the spirits didn¡¯t disappear, but he forgotten it among the chaos of the world. Eventually, he knew he had to return to his homeland. But would he return be welcomed, would he be able to give kindness to the spirits?

    ¡°You said I get two wishes, right?¡±

    ¡°We will perform the best of our degree, yes.¡± Yukos replied sweetly.

    ¡°...and you can¡¯t change appearances or nothing?¡±

    ¡°Unless you give me a Soul Gem, then no.¡±

    ¡°Okay. Are you ready for my wish?¡±

    ¡°Certainly.¡± Yukos replied simply as it was a simple gesture for her. Skaldi¡¯s hand went to his eyepatch and soon fell down.

    ¡°Yukos, grant me a container to hold the bones of spirits.¡±

    ¡°Oh! I didn¡¯t know you killed spirits.¡± She spoke in an uneasy tone.

    ¡°No! I mean, I¡¯m a Galtian elf. And¡­ some of our passed and haven¡¯t been properly buried. So..¡±

    ¡°I understand. While your spirits are of opposing religion to my creator Recor, I understand your plight. I can bury them for you, if you wish.¡±

    ¡°Thank you, but no. I need to do it myself.¡±

    ¡°Very well.¡± Yukos nodded, and a sufficient container was brought out. Made out of woven shells, the bag could not only hold the bones of the spirits securely, but all of his stolen stuff. While he couldn¡¯t hold all of their belongings, it was definitely marvelous.

    ¡°This is awesome. What should I call this?¡±

    ¡°A bag¡­ a bag of handing! Because ya can hold all the stuff-stuff in your hand-hand.¡±

    ¡°I don¡¯t know. But I¡¯m too tired to come up with a different name. Bag of handing it is.¡±

    As for his second wish, he took a lot less time coming up with it, so he requested a textbook on alchemy.

    Keep in mind, this was not only to help with his creation of concoctions, but to create makeup. Since he could never buy a set from a legitimate store, he had to resort to criminal means, often inferior and burning ones. Luckily, they had a makeup set they could gift him.

    ¡°Florato, you know how to put on makeup right?¡± Skaldi presented the book to her.

    ¡°No? Other people do that for me in shows. But that is very nice, whatever that is.¡± Florato complimented his choice.

    ¡°Aw. Then why do you have those super thick eyelashes?¡± He said with envy.

    This tale has been unlawfully obtained from Royal Road. If you discover it on Amazon, kindly report it.

    ¡°Those are just my eyelashes.¡±

    ¡°They are?! Damn, you really won the beauty lottery!¡±

    Finally, with much of the people waiting in suspense, Vega came forward, surrounded by her friends.

    ¡°Vega, for your service and honorable duty to both my people and my son Ren, we are allowed to request three wishes.

    ¡°~And don¡¯t worry about telling her, I already told her.~¡±

    ¡°You did?! I was saving the two special ones for last.¡± Yukos shouted, shaking her son with comedic intent.

    ¡°What special ones? Like actually magic stuff?¡± Skaldi chimed in, giggling at the idea. Inside Vega, she was having a small panic.

    ¡°Right-right. For my first request, I would like a map of Uvi Jantok.¡±

    ¡°Done.¡± The lobster waved his claw over as two mermaids handed a large scroll in her hands. ¡°As for your second?¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m not so-¡±

    ¡°What about the Oligarch badge? Ren said you talked about it.¡± Yukos nudged him towards Vega.

    ¡°~Yeah, choose that one!~¡± Ren smiled at Vega, genuinely happy to see her move forward.

    The scarecrow knew she couldn¡¯t avoid it. All she could do would be verbally stepping around the final choice. Like dragging out a game you already know you have to play.

    ¡°Hmm. Instead of that-that¡­ I want to get new legs?¡±

    ¡°Don¡¯t worry about your legs sweetie. I¡¯ll fix you when you''re finished.¡±

    ¡°I wonder what you¡¯re going to choose Vega.¡± Florato laid a hand on her shoulder, causing her to turn swiftly in fear.

    ¡°Choose something cool! Like a bomb!¡± Valiato ran up to her, pointing at the many items in the catalog.

    ¡°What do you think she¡¯ll choose?¡± Bolato knocked his hand into Skaldi. Faintly, the elf noticed something was off about her. Not like her speaking in a different fashion, but there was the decreasing mania in her movement. A whispering unhappiness in her eyes.

    ¡°Well¡­ I guess I would like to choose¡­ the Oligarch badge.¡± She talked to the ground, her voice becoming quieter.

    ¡°And your final choice?¡±

    ¡°~Come on, you got two pretty good things!¡± Ren cheered.

    What will you choose? Yourself, or them?

    It returned. Rather, he returned. The scarecrow couldn¡¯t address Ani. She couldn¡¯t move.

    It won¡¯t matter anyway.

    ¡°I¡­ I don¡¯t know.¡±

    ¡°That¡¯s okay.¡± Skaldi¡¯s voice broke through. He sat beside her and put his arm over her shoulder, with his feet dangling over the edge.

    ¡°You¡¯ve done a lot for us. Don¡¯t forget that.¡±

    He¡¯s lying to you. You can do a lot more.

    ¡°I don¡¯t know what you¡¯re going through. No matter what that is. You don¡¯t need any magical thing to do what you¡¯ve already been doing. You already have kind hands and even a kinder heart.¡± Skaldi pounded her chest, reinforcing her persona. ¡°And we¡¯re going to get through this. You got this, whatever you choose.¡±

    Lifting her head up to the nymph, Vega had a focused gaze.

    You won¡¯t win. You can¡¯t defeat your nature.

    ¡°We¡¯ll see about that.¡± Vega told herself, and put on a joyful smile, ready to pursue her future. ¡°Nymph Yukos! I request the object of Kaliber!¡±

    ¡°Oh¡­¡± The nymph, the lobster, and Ren looked a bit disappointed. ¡°Well we thought you were going to choose the necklace. There goes that prank.¡± Yukos smacked her lips.

    ¡°What prank are you talking about?¡± Florato requested.

    ¡°We were planning to prank her by telling her there was no necklace of Trition. But that went down the drain I guess.¡±

    ¡°Huh. That¡¯s con-convient.¡±

    Hours past the ceremony, everyone packed and returned to their homes and duties. The Iozians would have to be housed as their home wouldn¡¯t be safe to return to. But the merfolks were more than accommodating for them (take the L Iozians! Ha!).

    Alone in the hall, putting their gear back into the old wagon, the team were all in a good mood. Most of the group sat atop the wagon, waiting for Skaldi and Vega to finish up.

    ¡°Glad you made that choice Vega. It would have been sad to see your request get wasted on your legs.¡± He playfully kicked her new feet. One made out of shipwood and the other of iron. She shook her new metal leg and her old steel right arm. ¡°You¡¯re becoming more a sculpture than a scarecrow though.

    ¡°What can I say? I¡¯ve never quite fit the description. Plus, I¡¯ve always been a left-left handed gal.¡± She smoothed her hand on head, feeling out her hay hair. Taking it off, she placed both of her hands on her lap. ¡°By the way¡­ thank you Skaldi.¡±

    ¡°For what? I should be thanking you. Without you I would be dead¡­ and I would have forgotten about caring more than myself.¡± Skaldi felt that weakness sting in his wounds and his heart. He snickered, laughing that all of his improvements and losses could be tied back to a scarecrow.

    ¡°True as that-that may be, I don¡¯t think I would have been happy if I didn¡¯t choose Kaliber. And without you, I don¡¯t think I would have survived that fight yesterday.¡±

    ¡°Hmm. You can pay me back with some wine.¡± Skaldi scoffed, and turned to leave.

    ¡°Skaldi, you¡¯re a very good friend.¡± Her words made him stop, making the elf feel that happiness. The same happiness he had with Potenti when she fought for herself. The same happiness when he¡¯s with Bolato. The same happiness he feels when he is strong.

    It wasn¡¯t a disgrace. He wasn¡¯t a wasted boy. Skaldi was a man. Perhaps a feminine and alcoholic one, but a man no less.

    With a faint sob from his eye, he rubbed it off and smiled brightly.

    ¡°Thanks buddy.¡±

    ¡°No worries. And can ya come over here?¡± Vega waved him over. ¡°Along with ya too Florato.¡±

    ¡°What? What¡¯s wrong?¡±

    ¡°I want ya guys to see this.¡± Vega opened up a great scroll. As the elf and actress walked over, the paper didn¡¯t show the map of Uvi Jantok. The paper read¡­

    ¡°To the loathsome Kaliber Scheherazade

    I wouldn¡¯t have granted you the properties to a Ghost like you, but since you have offered such a grand sum of money, I will grant you the land.

    This by no means absolves you of your lack of family. No amount of money or land will ever replace a family.

    From,

    Oligarch Naius. Ruler of Periatus.¡±

    This wasn¡¯t one deed, but three deeds to three properties. Three towers in Uvi Jantok. Despite not telling who Kaliber is, Vega knew that Kaliber wasn¡¯t just a name, but a person. While they¡¯re alive or not, she needed to find out.

    ¡°Guys, you know what this means?¡± She said with rising motivation.

    ¡°I don¡¯t know how to read Iozian, but I do see the symbols of a tower. Is this land?¡± The actress tapped her fingers on the deeds.

    ¡°Yep-yep. And it¡¯s in Uvi Jantok. I¡¯m close, I can feel it in my parts.¡±

    ¡°Well, let¡¯s get there.¡± Skaldi pulled them to the wagon. They all sat atop it, looking at the family of three. Ren swam up to the scarecrow and held onto both of her hands.

    ¡°~It¡¯s been a blast Vega. I wish you and your friends good luck.~¡± A tear came to his face, as he hugged her close.

    ¡°You sure have a way with people.¡± Bolato spoke, looking on in amusement.

    ¡°~You did a lot for us merfolk. We won¡¯t forget it.~¡±

    ¡°~Ren. When I¡¯m older and more confident, I¡¯ll come visit ya. I promise ya.¡± Vega hugged him back, planning a great trip after she finished her journey. To Tai Pai, to the two priestess, to the people in Jinmai, the doctor of Core Civitus, the family of centuries, and all the way back to Cold Cavern. She would visit them all again.

    ¡°~Thanks Vega. Just remember, your journey has a long way to go.~¡±

    ¡°~I got time. If I have anything, it''s time-time.~¡±

    Letting going and swimming back to his mother and father, Ren waved the team goodbye.

    ¡°You guys have been so fun.¡± Yukos raced to the scarecrow and gave a big smooch to Vega, leaving her covered in watery slime.

    ¡°Cool! I just got kissed by a Nymph!¡± Vega cheered, just as the wagon and all of them glowed with celestial power. The team waved back, preparing to go to their destination.

    ¡°Wait. What happened to the centuries?¡± Bolato asked, breaking out of his happy mood with facts and logic.

    ¡°They died!¡± Yukos responded with the same happy voice.

    ¡°Huh. Then how are we gonna-

    Pop!

    What was in front of them all was a clear orange sky, as the morning sun rose over the horizon. A chilly breeze blew past, as the air of the coast hit the harbor they were on. Black walls and a wide cityscape before them, they knew what it was. Uvi Jantok was finally here!

    And¡­ they had a wagon with no animals to pull¡­ kinda bad. Skaldi was the first to speak.

    ¡°Vega, we¡¯re gonna need you to get out and push.¡±

 Chapter 45: Uvi Jantok!

    Chapter 45: Uvi Jantok!

    Ah, the capital city of Periatus. Where you will get stabbed, mugged, and shot within the first twenty four hours or your money back!

    ¡°On three. One, two, three!¡± Bolato chanted, as the whole team got behind the wagon and pushed together.

    ¡°Put your back into it!¡± Skaldi groaned out, facing away and pressing his body against it instead of just his hands.

    ¡°That¡¯s how¡­ you hurt your back¡­ Skaldi.¡± Florato said between breaths.

    ¡°Whatever. Put your groin in, your dick, or you pussy into it! I don¡¯t care, just push!¡±

    ¡°What if I-I don¡¯t have a pussy?¡± Vega raised her hand, unexhausted by the effort.

    ¡°Then push!¡±

    ¡°Ya got it!¡±

    Truly the height of Iozian society¡­

    The harbor, in all intents and purposes, sported the likeness of a wooden village. Two buildings were made of secure stone and mortar, that being the lighthouse and the local bath.

    Beside that, the city next to it shared a rural atmosphere, a pervasive rusticity. Like it was a place in the countryside, secluded from the non stop movement of urban life. Most people walked and of the few wagons or carts that were seen were being operated by crews of sailors and richmen. Despite the city being so close, specifically three hundred feet away, the team was roughly an hour away.

    Yet, there was a sadness to the harbor. Not in disrepair or the people, although some sailors looked to be in dumps. There were only five ships in port, four of the five being military galleys. A single Kai Ren treasure ship with arrows sticking out of it was there. In the waters outside there were small fleets of fishing boats but nothing that could travel great distances. To all of them, it felt lonely.

    Like all of Uvi Jantok had been deserted.

    ¡°Nice gear you got there tarangs.¡± A white hair mustached man spoke to them, brushing his hair that resembled a cloudy string on his head. Skinny to the bones, his eyes sunk in his head like a crab in sand. ¡°How the hell you get past the blockage?¡±

    ¡°Nymph lady!¡± Vega hoped and ran to the face of the man, causing him to recoil backward.

    ¡°Right¡­¡±

    The rest of the party took this as their chance for a break. Most of them slumped on the ground while Bolato remained standing. Breathing in for a couple of seconds, he prepared to talk.

    ¡°Wait, what do you mean blockade?¡± Bolato took his hands off the wagon and walked to the side of him. ¡°Do you mean the bandits?¡±

    ¡°Nope, but the bandits are helping. The Tripolians have this whole place surrounded.¡±

    ¡°Ha! Old man must have lost it.¡± Skaldi shook his head, not believing such an outlandish story. Florato too chuckled, joining the redhead in the natural reaction at that idea.

    ¡°That¡¯s nonsense.¡± Florato got up and wiped the sweat from her skin.

    ¡°Must be a poor comedian.¡± Skaldi added.

    ¡°I¡¯m not joking tarang! What? You lose your sense of manli-¡±

    ¡°Hold it.¡± Bolato blocked the oldman, towering over him. ¡°Speak about the blockade. Don¡¯t insult him.¡±

    ¡°...alright. The Tripolians have us surrounded, that¡¯s what the orators say.¡±

    ¡°I find that hard to believe. I¡¯m part of the navy.¡± Bolato gave two taps to his navy badge and his mermaid badge, slightly impressing the old man. ¡°I was trained here, in the Yutai Basin. And I distinctly remember Uvi Jantok had over a hundred ships. We shouldn¡¯t be surrounded.¡±

    ¡°Your right striker brother, we shouldn¡¯t.¡± He stepped on top of a barrel and raised his fist out to a section of the city. Barely visible behind the black wall, there too was a harbor. However, it was packed with ships of every type of military use. Ones to transport and ones to battle, all were behind that black wall.

    ¡°The hell?¡± Bolato¡¯s relaxed attitude took a hit, puzzled by the discovery.

    ¡°The hell indeed. The last ships from Fort Jao came was¡­ two weeks ago? Can¡¯t quite remember, but that¡¯s when the guards from there came here. The ships¡­ eight days? And the day after we were told the Tripolians had blasted through our own navy. And the rest¡­¡±

    ¡°Wow. The Oligarch is a dumb piece of shit.¡±

    ¡°Don¡¯t say that sonny.¡± The old man scurried up to him, darting around throwing his hair around. Bolato snapped his fingers and his eyes closed, remembering the city¡¯s rule.

    ¡°Sorry.¡±

    ¡°What? We can¡¯t talk shit about the fucker here?¡± Skaldi rotated his head side to side, not keeping in mind his volume.

    ¡°No you can¡¯t! I know you a tarang, but you have to know about the shadow watchmen.¡±

    ¡°What watchmen? You never said anything about watchmen.¡± Skaldi seized up, finally taking caution. There weren¡¯t too many people around the harbor, only one crew of sailors unloading the treasure ship. For every two crates of goods they unloaded, a body impaled by an arrow was brought out and laid onto a black sheet.

    ¡°That really is¡­ true.¡± Florato stumbled briefly at the sight, holding her mouth in shock. Valiato and Amir held her stable, not wanting to repeat the event they had with the dead wagon man.

    ¡°If you folks react like that to a body, you¡¯re not going to survive here. Be it the watchmen or the bandits.¡±

    ¡°We can deal with bandits. Guards, sure. But watchmen?¡± Skaldi paced back and forth. To every Iozian, there was a strict hierarchy of military personnel. There was the humble guard, the soldiers of a legion, the centurion leading those soldiers, and then the watchmen. Anything higher up would be positions you would have to be of upper class background to achieve.

    ¡°Don¡¯t worry about that right now.¡± Bolato stopped him, forcing Skaldi to bump his head into his chest.

    ¡°Don''t worry about it?¡± Skaldi opened his mouth to speak but nothing but a tired groan came out. ¡°Fine. We¡¯ll talk about it later.¡± He turned away in a sour attitude.

    ¡°Don¡¯t be-be like that. We just pulled off some pretty insane stuff yesterday¡± Vega laid her elbow on Skaldi¡¯s shoulder, leaning on the elf. ¡°Plus, we should get our footing in a place we can rest.¡±

    ¡°Yeah, you¡¯re right. Sweetie, you got any ideas?¡±

    ¡°I didn¡¯t grow up here, I was trained here. The Yutai Basin is only ten miles north. Sir, you wouldn¡¯t happen to know anyone with some animals?¡± The soldier approached the old man. He scratched his string haired head and nodded.

    ¡°Yeah. I know a guy, and he¡¯s me. Ruiato Ng is the name, and if you tarangs follow me, I might be able to sell some travel beasts.¡± He cracked his back and herded the team over to a big rectangle of a building not too far from the cart. Amir signaled to Bolato that he¡¯d stay and protect it.

    Opening a gate that belonged more to a barn house than a harbor, Ruiato gestured to corners of the building. Two clerks managed desks and shelves and two soldiers stood at the gate. One corner had horses, the other a single century. The corner at the end had a particular strange yet strong animal. Long leathery reptiles with mustled snouts. Spotted amphibious creature.

    ¡°Crocodiles? Never knew you could use one for a cart.¡±

    ¡°That ain¡¯t a crocodile. The Thrakian sea is just a big freshwater lake.¡± Ruaito wildly swung his head on each pronunciation of the word.

    ¡°I know that. But I don¡¯t know the difference between the two. I work with more centuries and horses. But¡­¡± Bolato paused, seeing the puny nature of the animals he had. Not that he was paying attention, the old man had sunken cheeks, as if he too was starving. And yet, the alligators seemed to be the only animal fitted enough to pull the wagon.

    ¡°Alligators will do.¡± He pulled out six gold coins, the last coins he had on his person. ¡°Will this do for two alligators?¡±

    ¡°You use gold? Been awhile since I¡¯ve seen gold. Must be rich.¡± Ruaito bowed his head quick and pocketed the money. In just as quick time, he brought over two alligators and their rope.

    Unauthorized use: this story is on Amazon without permission from the author. Report any sightings.

    ¡°Let¡¯s just say we came into some money back in Core Civitus.¡± Bolato winked at him, wanting to play the part of a seasoned professional. Taking the rope in his hands, he kneeled to the faces of the alligators. Testing their reactions to his touch, they responded with domesticated snoring. ¡°These will do.¡±

    ¡°Don¡¯t think of robbing us sir-sir.¡± Vega told happily. Tilting his head in response, the old man smiled in the way that speaks reassurance. Like he can trust a person.

    ¡°Not even planning on it. Got me a bunker out by the gambling den from all my exploits. Gonna ride this blockade out.¡±

    ¡°Any good booze there?¡± Skaldi¡¯s hand brushed his hair back, finally revealing his eyepatch to Ruiato¡¯s view. Making an O shape with this mouth, the oldman felt a bit ashamed.

    ¡°Nah elf man. Tea is cheap and plentiful, but all the wine and good stuff are behind those walls. Beer is all your getting here.¡±

    ¡°About those wall-walls, how do ya get past them?¡± Vega pulled out the map from out of her jacket, dropping bits of hay on the ground.

    ¡°She is talking to me, right?¡± The old man tilted his head again at her.

    ¡°Yes. And it''s best to answer her question.¡± Florato chuckled, in slightly higher spirits than she was before. Yet, there was a twinge of fear in her voice.

    ¡°Then I wouldn¡¯t know, weird lady. Hell, I don¡¯t know anyone here that¡¯s been past those walls, but I¡¯ve heard rumors.¡±

    ¡°Thanks for the help anyway.¡± Bolato bowed and headed back to the wagon.

    ¡°If you folks need a place to hang out later, just come back. I got some good gaming spots.¡±

    ¡°Got it. Have fun old dude-dude.¡±

    Road was slick and clean, and the statues of all the Oligarchs of Periatus posed there, like it was a fashion runway. Between the wooden houses, this road was paved with concrete.

    This city had a glowing brightness to it. The reason for that was the tiles on the rows were ceramic yellow. Packed together tightly, the buildings hugged and touched, melting their yellow forms together. As the saying goes, ¡®Yellow is the favorite color of the Oligarchs of Periatus.¡±

    The strip (Ha!) of the road showed an unbroken line of seaside resorts and, much to my own surprise, poor people could hang out there!

    ¡°What are you doing, taking up the whole road you fucking fat ass bitch. You can go a lot faster than that, actually! Stop going on the fucking grass you stupid bitches!¡± Fortunately for the team, Florato¡¯s rightful complaints managed to move the slow pace of the street a lot faster, as now more people headed off to the sandy coast.

    Beaches were the community hubs of every faction. Criminal and legal. Familial and lonely. Dumbs and dumbers. With an almost tear jerking beauty, these beaches seemed to be the only thing anyone could agree on, since everyone hadn¡¯t carved their own sections out.

    And yes, dear student, there were plenty of butts and boobs in bikinis. Hell, two leotard wearing thugs were fighting a couple yards away from them.

    Yet, the look of the average person in Jantok, at least to Vega, seemed a bit off. Not that their clothing revealed more or that their hair was combed straight or that they were more tanned.

    A notice of a subtle thing in the face and side of their ribs. Faint indents, like the skin was being sucked in. The common shapes of muscle were smaller. Perhaps to a tourist, they¡¯d seem very normal. But to one with a keen eye, famine had started to stain, if weakly.

    In Uvi Jantok, you could almost forget that the rest of Iozia was going through a famine. Almost¡­

    As for those deceased men, their names like Daius, Gaius, and Faius appeared on placards of their statues. They all looked handsome and masterworked. Unlike the statues found in cathedrals and temples, these statues had paint. Lifelike as if they were frozen. Driving by a more recent Oligarch statue, three artists protected by ten men were repainting the statue of Oligarch Naius.

    These ten men of not ordinary armaments, but of long purple robes in similar dark violet armor. There is a reason for the phrase ¡®born in the purple¡¯. Those reasons are the Purple Heart and the watchmen. Dyes of purple are extremely rare and the process is a secret locked behind a hundred doors.

    ¡°Move along. Move along.¡± One of the watchmen pushed a homeless woman aside, sending her falling back. No one bothered to aid her, as it''s best not to disturb the watchmen.

    ¡°Good morning soldier.¡± Another of them had noticed Bolato¡¯s set of badges and spoke with faint impressment. His helmet was a cone with a kettle like brim around it. The watchmen spoke behind bronze chainmail, making his voice muffled.

    ¡°You as well. You wouldn¡¯t know where the flower district is, would you?¡± Bolato asked. The watchmen noticed both Amir and Valiato, in clearly Tripolian clothing. However, he too noticed their badges and hummed as he looked at them. Summarizing that they were mercenaries of some kind, he didn¡¯t argue.

    ¡°Indeed. Continue on the road and when you see the statue of Tauis, turn left. It isn¡¯t far.¡±

    ¡°Thank you.¡± Bolato started the crocodiles up again and continued on the road.

    Amir had been tying Valiato¡¯s gloved hand with a belt. He didn¡¯t want another incident like the clerk in Vein Xinyuai.

    ¡°~Don¡¯t reveal your scar to anyone.~¡± Amir whispered close to her and Valiato gave a wink to him.

    ¡°So guys, we¡¯re getting pretty close to one-one of Kaliber¡¯s towers. And also a place called¡­ Gambler city?¡±

    ¡°Gambler? Isn¡¯t it called Flower?¡± Bolato called out from the front of the wagon. Laying out the map she had gotten on the floor of the wagon, Florato gasped at its crude look. ¡°You alright? Did Florato see another dead person?¡±

    ¡°No! It¡¯s just¡­ uhh¡­¡±

    ¡°It¡¯s just-just unofficial.¡±

    ¡°What?¡± Bolato turned to see.

    Vega¡¯s map of Uvi Jantok wasn¡¯t of Oligarchic authority. While the map itself had the craftsmanship of a proper cartographer, the writing was near gibberish levels of unreadability. Unreadable except for Vega.

    ¡°That ¡®gayam blurr sit tyy¡¯ means gambler city.¡±

    ¡°Wait, I never heard of Uvi Jantok being divided.¡± Skaldi joined in, noting the disturbing revelation.

    ¡°Maybe¡­ its because of gangs?¡± Florato suggested, noting the title by the harbor.

    ¡°The port ¡®Buux ah ish¡¯ means Boxer Fish sounds like a-a gang name.¡±

    ¡°Yeah you''re right.¡± Skaldi snapped a finger at her. Uvi Jantok was unofficially separated in several places. Silker city, Tea City, and Gambler city were all locations on the map. The only official separation of Uvi Jantok was the wall.

    That wall, that black wall. The division of the twin cities. That of Uvi Jantok Sky and Uvi Jantok Rock. Separating the disgusting poor versus the never can be wrong rich folk!

    Sadly, a story that so often needs repeating. Not because it is a good one, but that we hope that we never have to tell it again.

    ¡°Things are a lot more-more interesting now. Are we close to the tower yet?¡±

    ¡°Almost. One more minute.¡± Entering into the Gambler City, the reason for the name became very clear to them. Wide and low, no buildings exceeded over three stories and most kept to one. There were no visible watchmen or guards here, only soldiers and outlaws. Whenever you looked, there were either dice games or card games being played, with piles of copper being wagered.

    The soldiers wore their belts and studded sandals, making them standout from the shoe wearing crowd. Bandits however, stood out in their difference to attire.

    The bandits of Uvi Jantok weren¡¯t your typically bearded and unkempt bastard. Clean shaven and of well fitted fashion, they looked closer to a Matigas Na Tao aristocrat rather than a plebian. However, their fashion was cheaper and featured the swag and items carried by all bandits. Short swords on their belt and shiny tin rings.

    Shouts and cries over these games were common. Compared to the harbor, this place seemed to be the most comfortable. It wasn''t quite like death. The silence in the city speaks volumes about its happenings. Dice and yelling made this section alive, as if the world outside was rotting.

    Everyone kept their eyes high in the sky, not wishing to draw the attention of the bandits. All except Vega, who of course, couldn¡¯t resist greeting them.

    ¡°Hello! You look very cool!¡± She shouted at a bandit with dyed blonde hair. His head craned back, too bewildered by the fact a scarecrow spoke to him to even attempt any action.

    ¡°Stop doing that Vega.¡± Skaldi said through his teeth.

    ¡°Okay, okay.¡± Passing by all sorts of places, Vega wondered. Wondered what Kaliber was doing here. She didn¡¯t know who they were, only that she was referred to in the letters she keeps finding.

    What did she look like? How did she move and speak? What was her relationship with Ena?

    Looking upon the streets, Vega envisioned a shadow of a person. A friendly shadow that waved and joked with friends. Something she could identify with. Something that she was. Something that could explain her.

    ¡°Hey Skaldi?¡±

    ¡°Yes?¡±

    ¡°Who do ya think Kaliber is?¡± She joined him in looking up.

    ¡°Someone important, that¡¯s for sure. I mean, from what I could understand, there was the word Oligarch on the deed, right?¡±

    ¡°Ya got it.¡±

    ¡°Then that means they had high connections. Maybe we can check for them in the library, or something.¡±

    ¡°Yeah¡­ but that¡¯s not what I really mean-mean.¡± Vega lowered her eyes, keeping a happy expression but becoming a tad more serious.

    ¡°How so?¡± Skaldi turned to her. ¡°I mean, I don¡¯t know what that name means to you Vega.¡±

    ¡°...ya have a family.¡± Vega chose the word family carefully, not wanting to remind him of painful memories. ¡°And with family¡­ there¡¯s a place. There¡¯s a people.¡±

    ¡°...and there¡¯s history?¡± Skaldi understood where she¡¯s coming from.

    ¡°I don¡¯t really have one. The first memory I had was with the bandits then Cold Cavern. And the bandits said-said I showed up.¡±

    ¡°Well, you showed up in our lives. And definitely made things a lot more complicated.¡± Skaldi snickered, making Vega giggle as well. ¡°But I get what you mean. Where you come from.¡±

    ¡°Yeah.¡± She answered, with a twinge of shame. Of course she couldn¡¯t blame herself, but she wished she could have knew. It would have made the business with the Voice easier to deal with.

    ¡°You know what I think?¡± Skaldi shook her for a moment before she nodded at him. ¡°I saw the word¡­ ghost on that paper too.¡±

    ¡°Huh. That was on there.¡±

    ¡°If Kaliber had to be anybody, she¡¯d be like you.¡±

    ¡°What? A scarecrow-crow girl?¡± Vega joked.

    ¡°No! I mean, maybe that could happen. She could be a fucking bird for all I care.¡±

    ¡°Bird-bird?¡± Kaliba croaked out.

    ¡°Kaliber is definitely not you and it''s dumb to think that.¡± Skaldi was not in the head space to tolerate the bird.

    ¡°I think that¡¯s a good theory. But it¡¯s just a theory.¡±

    ¡°Listen.¡± Skaldi sat up and shook his fist at her. ¡°She would be¡­ someone odd. Someone different than most people. Hell, she might not even be a person. But, like Valiato, they have suffered a terrible thing. Not having a family.¡± Skaldi paused and looked back to the kid, who was enjoying the sights of this new place. Curious and alert her eyes were.

    ¡°Family¡­¡± Vega pronounced the word, as if savoring it like a cold meal.

    ¡°And yet, look at what she has. Look at how people talk about her. She was inflicted with a terrible pain and survived. If Kaliber is anything like that, she¡¯d be a great person.¡±

    ¡°...I hope so.¡±

    ¡°Same here. Here¡¯s hoping she¡¯s got money.¡± Skaldi reclined back on the wagon, enjoying the sunlight on his skin. Vega looked down on him, taking his form in. He too had been wounded and pained by loss. And yet, he loved life. Faults and all.

    She matters. She matters to me, Vega knew.

    ¡°I think¡­ that¡¯s the tower.¡± Standing up, she stood in awe at the size of the tower. Of course, the other buildings¡¯ low height exaggerated this, but there was no denying the commanding nature of the tower. In the same pitch black the wall had, except a washed out blue in its windows and wooden doors.

    A conical roof of reddish hue and black brick skin. The tower had no wooden buildings connected to it. Like they were backing away, the homes formed a circular exclusion zone around the tower. The scarecrow, stepping off the wagon with secure intent, admired the construction of the building.

    A strange familiarity, like visiting an old home or situation. One that inspires nostalgia. Rather, nostalgia for a time you never knew.

    ¡°I will find ya. I¡¯ll find ya Kaliber.¡±

 Chapter 46: Liminal Life

    Chapter 46: Liminal Life

    What is between a graveyard and a place of life? Is it a battlefield? A shovel? Death?

    If I had to say, it would be a place of absence where absence should not exist. Like a home with no furniture. A heart with no blood. A transitional empty.

    Creaking the door open, Vega held her pickaxe in front, prepared for any hiding people to attack. As the light of the sun came in, the tower¡¯s first floor showed a lack of opponents. Opening the door completely, she stepped in, noticing the door was also massive, in proportion to the size of the tower. Her mouth closed in suspense and her eyes opened in search.

    No dust or cobwebs. Like all the contents had suddenly disappeared the moment she opened the door.

    ¡°...alone.¡± Vega said aloud, hearing her voice bounce off the walls. She couldn¡¯t even hear her friends outside.

    Rhythm was not a thing here. Even in a desert or icy tundra there is rhythm because there is a life that can be. A hardy and strange song, but a song that exists there no less. Yet here, there was no rhythm. Her presence didn¡¯t even start a song, let alone add to.

    There¡¯s a vanishing feeling in this tower, as if no one or anything can be here. Not because it''s inhospitable, this tower was created for a purpose. Much like a sun bringing no light, the feeling is a dreadful dullness. A lack of life. A wasteland of someone¡¯s creation.

    There is no one to help.

    One part of the tower, that being a bony scrawny ladder, ascends up. Shaping to the look of a rib cage, this ladder didn¡¯t creak or croak. The ladder was so thin you could your eyes into making it disappear. Hell, in this tower, nothing appeared.

    Wishing to find that discovery, that one that kept her going, Vega climbed up the ladder and punched open the trap door above. Soon as she peered her head through, an eerily similar sight was in front of her. Nothing and a nothing ladder.

    What about the third floor?

    Nothing.

    What about the fourth?

    Nothing.

    The fifth?

    Zero of zeros. Hole within a hole. Dark in a dark. Nothing.

    All of her enthusiasm decreased on each floor and by the fifth, all she could do was look up at the ladder. This was it, the last one. And then it would be the sixth floor and that would be it.

    ¡°This¡­ this shouldn¡¯t be.¡±

    But it is.

    ¡°Why?¡± Vega turned her head, as if the Voice would be talking behind her.

    Don¡¯t ask me. I didn¡¯t build this place.

    ¡°Not like that. I mean-why me? What is so important about me?¡± Vega put her head on her knees, looking like a puppy that¡¯s been kicked too many times.

    Silence. A lifeless silence was left, and Vega had to endure it.

    ¡°You know what. Be like that.¡± Lethargically getting up, she took a moment to built up enough motivation to step up the ladder. One foot, then a hand, then the next thing and the next thing and so on. The Voice wouldn¡¯t matter, that¡¯s what she falsely believed.

    Croooooo¡­

    Her hand pushed on the trap door above her for only a second, and a precise sound was made. Pitter Patter. Brist. Croooooo.

    ¡°No! Not now¡­¡± Her eyes became heavy, as her whole body felt drenched in tar and weighed a thousand tons. Her right hand let go for only a moment, as she crushed her hand around the ladder. Holding on in fear of becoming consumed by the Voice, she fought fiercely against the overwhelming emotion. A memory from a place she never lived.

    I miss you Kaliber.

    Vanished. The heaviness in her body and mind, all of it vanished. Her eyes stayed wide open for a while, taking all of the experience in. This was the first time she didn¡¯t suddenly lose control of herself. Even better, she properly got a crucial bit of information.

    ¡°Kaliber. Failure. And I miss Kaliber. This is the first-first time I got more than one word!¡± Dancing around like a wheel downhill, Vega showed a wonderful love of this change. Of this curiosity. Cartwheeling, backflipping, and of course, moonwalking all around the room.

    In her mania, she ran up the ladder and busted through the trapdoor. She could hardly care if the room had jackshit in it. What could possibly stump her?

    A yellow page of pulped paper on the ground.

    ¡°...not what I was expecting, but we¡¯ll work on it.¡± Her mood cooled a bit but she still pursued the paper with vigor.

    Feeling like a cloud in her hands, the paper was remarkably slippery and it fell from her hands a few times.

    ¡°Come on paper-paper, I¡¯m not gonna hurt ya.¡± Her voice softened, like she was talking to an aggressive cat that simply needed to be shown love. She slowed her approach and, finally, held onto the paper.

    This wasn¡¯t another deed or official type document. Nor was it written in Tripolian. In an Iozian script, the paper read¡­

    ¡°To Ena,

    Whatever you do, don¡¯t try and leave. I know you are scared and alone but you are strong. When I return, I promise that all will be better. You will be better. Give me a few months. All will be better.

    I won¡¯t leave you. I won¡¯t become distant.

    From,

    Kaliber.¡±

    ¡°Kaliber and Ena.¡± Vega opened her jacket and pulled out one of the letters she had found. ¡°Ena was friends with Kaliber. One was Ioz-Iozian and the other a Tripolian. Were they family?¡±

    The idea of a family stuck with her. Could she call the party her family, Vega shook her head and kept focused on the letters.

    ¡°That couldn¡¯t be true, because the deed stated she was a ghost. And yet, one of the letters states that she-she was adopted by the family¡­ but the deed says she doesn¡¯t have a family¡­¡± The whole mystery was too confusing to be self securing. In a moment of anxiety, Vega anticipated the voice¡¯s return.

    Offput, the Voice did not return. A creeping threat overshadowed her. Although she could accomplish these things alone, she needed some help for now. Vega raced down the stairs and returned to the first floor.

    ¡°Turn it to the left!¡± Bolato commanded Florato, who was pushing the back end of the wagon.

    ¡°I am!¡±

    ¡°No, my left!¡±

    ¡°What does that mean?¡±

    ¡°Okay, from where my position is, turn to where I¡¯m turning it, okay?¡± Bolato leaned his head from behind the wagon, seeing Florato had done the same.

    ¡°Oh! Now I get it.¡± Florato, upon heeding his advice, helped push the wagon into the tower, just when Vega climbed down the ladder.

    ¡°...what the hell are ya doing?¡±

    ¡°Oh.¡± Bolato breathed in two big breaths before continuing. ¡°We don¡¯t have anywhere else to put this thing so we¡¯ve decided to put it in here.¡±

    ¡°Did I say ya can put it in here?¡± Vega pouted, in a surprising amount of annoyance from her.

    If you come across this story on Amazon, it''s taken without permission from the author. Report it.

    ¡°I¡¯m sorry? We don¡¯t exactly have a hideout or a warehouse to store it in.¡± Bolato walked around the circular room, gesturing to all the empty space. Florato lay on the back of the wagon and put her hands on her chest in an affectionate plea.

    ¡°Sorry Vega, we didn¡¯t know to ask. Is it okay if we can put the wagon here?¡±

    ¡°...sure. But not for the other towers.¡±

    ¡°Why are we talking about towers right now?¡± Skaldi entered with Amir and Valiato, speaking with an ¡®out of the loop¡¯ tone.

    ¡°Nothing. Nothing to worry-worry about.¡± Vega scratched her head, funnily enough finding a spider in it. ¡°Huh. Anyone want to eat this?¡±

    Valiato raised her hand but Amir put it down slowly.

    ¡°Oh well. Find-finders keepers.¡± She smiled and handed the spider to Kaliba, who immediately gobbled it up.

    For the next twenty minutes, the team took on the mundane process of putting their gear into the rooms and floors of the tower. Foldable chairs here, some stolen trinkets there, and whatever they could place to make this a pseudo home.

    Even though no amount of objects and material could remove that distinct sensation. As if when they were in there a piece of their soul silenced. Not unrecoverable, yet it was seeping into their heart¡¯s fabric.

    On the first floor, there was only the wagon and a table that Bolato constructed out of deconstructing its roof. Laying out all the plans that they had stolen so far on the table, they lit the room with candles. Amir constructed four tin hangers that he struck into the roof of the room and added those same candles along with a bit of incense.

    A vague speculative mindset was in their heads, as each person wondered what information and perspective they could provide. Bolato, being the most experienced in the field, led the discussion.

    ¡°Going to be a long time till we will be able to get out of here. Det had a fleet and a legion but not enough to do naval battles. He¡¯d likely march to the coast, taking down the bandits and raiders. It could be months till we get out. What day is it again?¡±

    ¡°The sixteenth, I think.¡± Skaldi answered.

    ¡°We need to get the plans to the Oligarch, Vega, you said you had to transport a box back before we left Core, right?¡±

    ¡°Yep-yep.¡± Digging deep in her chest, she pulled out fist sized obsidian box. ¡°For a strange-strange yet skilled man!¡±

    ¡°Alright, that¡¯s gotta be our ticket out of here. We have Vega acting as our front. She gets a layout of the bank and for at least a week, and we plan the heist.¡± Skaldi illustrated with flamboyant pride.

    ¡°They¡¯ll mobilize a navy, break the blockade, contact Det or anyone to tell them about the situation, and we can get out of here.¡± Bolato added, much to Skaldi¡¯s dismay. Always moving. Always going. Why couldn¡¯t they stay for a bit?

    ¡°We take them by surprise, grab what we can, and get out before they even know what hit them.¡± Valiato spoke with devilish intent, like a tiny demon.

    ¡°Calm down sweet pea.¡±

    ¡°Alright Ska.¡±

    ¡°Not only that-that, deal with Tripolians and cripple them hard.¡±

    ¡°I''ve never been a part of a heist.¡± Florato said, drawing everyone¡¯s attention. They anticipated a conflict. ¡°But that sounds like a plan. I like it.¡± Everyone smiled and nodded as Amir went up to the plans and began to read them off for Valiato to translate. Each time he finished it would take her a couple seconds to relay the plans.

    ¡°Operation Stomach Breaker. Main goal, burn Iozian fields of both crops to feed themselves. Secondary goal, steal and destroy enough Silphium to cause a population crisis within the Oligarchy, crippling their growth and¡­ starving their people.¡± Valiato¡¯s words were exact to how Amir read them. Cold. Calculated. Worrisome.

    ¡°What will this do?¡± Bolato encouraged her, shooting her a brother-like smile to continue translating such venomous ideas.

    ¡°Destroying their fields will cause mass famine, resulting in their armies being undersupplied and needing to be recovered. Destroying Siliphum will cause a baby boom, resulting in the death¡­ of many mothers, therefore¡­ reducing the population of Iozians.¡±

    Woooooo! The end times are here! Everyone, time to celebrate!

    ¡°Holy shit.¡± Vega blurted out, unable to contain the amount of shock the news brought. ¡°This is like¡­ bad. Like¡­ the worst thing possible.¡±

    ¡°So that¡¯s what Operation Stomach Breaker is about.¡± Skaldi¡¯s hands rested on his head, as an anxiety induced headache ached. ¡°Definitely in the top ten of worst things I¡¯ve been a part of.¡±

    ¡°What¡¯s number one?¡± Vega asked, trying to change the subject and keep things humorous.

    ¡°Might be this. No, who I am kidding, it is definitely this.¡±

    ¡°~Valiato, we are going to get through this.~¡±

    ¡°~I hope so.~¡± She gave him a hopeful look, that of a light optimism. Vega couldn¡¯t stand this. Kaliber was so close and now she had to return to old duties. She needed to have time to find out. She needed to fix these problems.

    She needed to lay all the cards on the table.

    ¡°Wait. One more thing. What about the Assassin? Ya guys don¡¯t think¡­ that they¡¯re here with us, right?¡± Everyone looked around, as if they had completely forgotten about her. Everyone except Skaldi he scooted beside her.

    ¡°Fairies can travel distances easily, but they''d need to know where we are first before.¡± The elf presented like a historian, with drags and paces to add to the truth of the information.

    ¡°What do they look like?¡± Vega requested, pulling out a bit of paper to remember this key bit of knowledge.

    ¡°It¡¯s been a while, but they can only look like a person they¡¯ve seen before. They can¡¯t make new appearances, it has to be based on a person. And¡­ they always have uneven eyelashes.¡±

    ¡°Always?¡±

    ¡°Always.¡±

    ¡°Still, that puts a wrench in our plans. And we don¡¯t know what time table we¡¯re working on.¡± Bolato checked the plans next to Amir. ¡°Nothing about time or when it''s supposed to take place? Any planned invasion?¡±

    ¡°He would have said.¡± Valiato answered.

    ¡°Sorry guy-guys, but I couldn¡¯t grab everything. Too many plans.¡± Vega sadly spoke. Florato went to her and rubbed her back, knowing she shouldn¡¯t have that weight on her.

    ¡°Definitely not right now, or for the next two weeks. It''s going to take time for them to recruit folks and to properly organize.¡± Bolato held an open palm as he circled around the table.

    ¡°Past those two weeks, we¡¯re probably working in the dark.¡± Skaldi cynically added. One hand was attached to the side of his head, nursing the headache.

    ¡°~Ari Amir, do you know anything about how long they¡¯d probably take? They¡¯re wondering.~¡± The kid asked the huge Tripolian.

    He scratched his hook nose, getting a bit of his green makeup on his finger. In deep thought and memory, Amir constructed an argument and details key for their understanding. Taking a pencil and paper, he wrote down his thoughts as best he could and handed them to her.

    ¡°The soldiers I recognized as both Clan Utiamir and Galabag. Strong warrior culture. Galabag is proud, quick to anger, but definitely skilled. I¡¯m not so sure about Ultamir, they are more disciplined, more than Galabag. I think I remember a time they took over a fortress just by talking, but I don¡¯t quite remember. Definitely richer than Galabag, that¡¯s for sure.¡±

    ¡°Sounds just like him, that¡¯s for sure.¡± Skaldi snickered, taking in the translation better than the previous.

    ¡°As for time, Tripolians usually wait for orders from high command before they act. Unlike a legion which is more autonomous, their forces are linked together. I doubt they¡¯d send a raiding party as that¡¯s best for quick attacks meant to weaken. Even for Tripolians, they¡¯d never want to destroy this city. At most pillage, but never destroy it.¡±

    ¡°That¡¯s good news. But that leaves out time. We need time.¡± Bolato said quickly.

    ¡°~What does it all mean Ari?~¡±

    ¡°~Runtaii knows that his forces are weak and he knows he can¡¯t destroy us without forfeiting all the food and silphium he is ordered to destroy. Operation Stomach Breaker is a blade pointed at us and at him.~¡±

    ¡°Runtaii, their commander, knows he can attack us without starving us both.¡± Valiato relayed.

    ¡°Hmm.¡± Bolato didn¡¯t rejoice just yet. The news was good but they need everything to declare a final plan.

    ¡°~If he strikes, he destroys the food his armies need to march and to live. If he doesn¡¯t he keeps the food and can regain his strength. Given reasonable estimate, he¡¯d attack¡­ on the thirtieth of the first month.~¡±

    ¡°First month of the new year. On the thirtieth day.¡± The kid relayed. Everyone breathed a sigh of relief. Skaldi¡¯s headache soothed and Florato gave Vega a couple more pats on the back.

    ¡°...that¡¯s¡­ that¡¯s really good news.¡± Bolato let out a weight within him. Finally, he wouldn¡¯t have to worry about war, he thought. Finally, all they¡¯d need to do was give then someone else would do the rest.

    ¡°Hell, the watchmen and the bandits would never give us a hard time when we give them the plans.¡± Skaldi chuckled madly, this was their big break!

    ¡°See? Everything worked out alright! We just gotta get the plans to the Oligarch and we¡¯re golden.¡± Florato laughed all of her nervousness out of her system. Smooth sailing from here on out.

    Nothing. This news alleviated nothing for her. Vega felt loneliness. Sure, she was surrounded by people and yet she felt unchanged. Why did she feel lonely? Because she knew there was more behind the surface. There had to be something, it couldn¡¯t be this easy.

    The scarecrow understood it in her fibers and her wires, that this isn¡¯t how it''s going to go. And yet, she was helpless to say what she wished to say. No words or changes. Her soul cried out. To help them. But she couldn¡¯t. She couldn¡¯t ruin their mood. A self persecuting thought took her.

    Why couldn¡¯t she just enjoy this? Why did there have to be another problem to solve? Why did there have to be a mystery to discover?

    Why couldn¡¯t her efforts be enough?

    Useless. Useless to stop their foolishness.

    Everyone headed up the ladder, in a relaxed daze, like they were drunk on the good news. For now, they¡¯d rest up, enjoy the city for a few hours and send Vega to take care of business. To do her job and deliver the box along with the plans.

    Skaldi¡¯s foot met the ladder, then his hand, then his foot. The scarecrow sat on one of the chairs as the last candle burned, close to burning up.

    ¡°Hey Skaldi?¡± Vega¡¯s eyes kept to the wall, believing that he would refuse her request.

    ¡°Yeah, what is it?¡±

    ¡°...can we finish that song before we give the Oligarch the stuff?¡± She closed her eyes, believing that he too would leave.

    ¡°¡­Actually yeah. I¡¯d like nothing better.¡± Skaldi stepped down from the ladder and sat beside her. Her eyes were that of surprised relief, that Skaldi too was present. Even if he was too happy to be cautious, he had that caring look on his face. That he was going to be there even when things have simmered.

    He brought her the guitar along with the lyrics that had both written. Cheesy and emotional, they had shared an intimate creation. Beside his chair he grabbed a cup of whatever beer that survived the ship¡¯s destruction.

    When Skaldi turned to her, Vega knew two things as he sat beside her.

    He wouldn¡¯t leave her. He won¡¯t become distant.

    ¡°Hey Vega? You okay? Are you dead?¡±

    ¡°No, I''m ready to live. Live for more than others.¡±

    ¡°Geez. That¡¯s kind of creepy.¡± Skaldi chuckled once more, laying the lyric sheet flat on the arm rests between them. The paper shared both of their styles of writing, a collaborative blend. Vega joined in a light giggle.

    ¡°It is kind of creepy dude. But I¡¯m okay with that.¡±

    ¡°Ha. Why¡¯s that?¡±

    ¡°Life is-is pretty scary sometimes. But life being absent is scarier.¡± Vega strummed her guitar. Hearing one string was out of tune, she went to fix it.

    ¡°Scary to go it alone. But I think we both have begun to deal with it. Flaws and all.¡± Skaldi reclined, having his hair cover his nose. He blew from his mouth and made the hair fly back to his eyepatch. ¡°We take it as it goes. We¡¯re on the path.¡±

    ¡°Can ya promise me something?¡±

    ¡°Alright. Shoot.¡±

    ¡°Promise me that whatever happens, we¡¯re not gonna leave each other, okay?¡±

    ¡°Why do you ask that?¡± Skaldi sat straight up, detecting Vega¡¯s shift in mood.

    ¡°Look at where we¡¯re at. We¡¯re in a city that is surrounded because the Oligarch deserted it. And we¡¯re in the tower of a per-person who''s not here.¡±

    ¡°That is true. But why a promise?¡± Skaldi leaned in with a silly face. ¡°Sounds to me like you¡¯re a pussy.¡±

    ¡°I don¡¯t have one of those.¡±

    ¡°I would say go get one but that applies more to balls.¡±

    ¡°Heh. Look, I want to make sure that none of us have to leave even though we might be-be physically apart. Ya got that?¡±

    ¡°...you know. That might just be the sweetest thing you ever said. Yes Vega, I promise that whatever happens, we¡¯re not gonna leave each other.¡± Skaldi held out his fist, which Vega responded with her own.

    The scarecrow and the elf fist bumped. It was very cool.

    ¡°Thank you.¡±

    ¡°Yep. Now, let¡¯s live for ourselves and for others!¡±

 Chapter 47: The Black Gate (Part 1!)

    Chapter 47: The Black Gate (Part 1!)

    What word could describe such a vast, terrifying, yet awful thing? Full of awe and uneasy mystery, what word could even begin to describe it?

    ¡°We¡¯re getting close! I¡¯m so excited.¡± Florato was delightfully antsy, with Skaldi being a lot more laid back. Of course, he had pre-gamed like a fruit bat so he didn¡¯t muster up any words of energy. Although he managed to bump into a few people, since¡­ you know¡­ he couldn¡¯t see.

    ¡°Yep¡­ so awesome.¡± Vega shook her head as she continued down the road, the road leading up to the black gate. Her and the team took up a big part of the street, as seeming people stepped aside, understanding where they were going.

    In Uvi Jantok,  the way a person doesn¡¯t drown in the sea of Iozia, was the entourage.

    If you were somebody with a name or trying to be someone with a name, you had a crew of people that you followed or followed you. Bandits and criminals are a major problem in Uvi Jantok, and a way to mitigate this is trivial in numbers.

    The alleys of street muggers and bandits never made their attempts on Vega, only spitting out gum tobacco as she walked past. Their real unfriendly faces began to fade though, as a new type of person filled up the path when they got closer and closer to the gate.

    The Oligarch of Periatus not only had a great monopoly on Silphium, but on a particularly rarer commodity that all would die for.

    Is it black powder?

    Some sort of miracle fruit?

    No you idiot! Why would you think about something logical and to the benefit of the common folk? Haha!

    What he did have¡­ was beautiful young people of course.

    Government cantinas and markets dotted all over Uvi Jantok but particularly sprouted around the gate area. Instead of criminal-invested streets, plazas of market stalls manned by armies of handsome people of all varieties and peoples. Of mixed heritage, they had bizarre yet intriguing appearances, ones that dazzled the visitor and vacationer.

    Of those would do business with these workers where of the aristocrats and the successful bandits. As she passed by a stall, she saw an elderly fur coated man play his transaction with four silvers.

    What did he pay for? Well, there is also a rampant prostitution business¡­ and also a tea parlor business! But uhhh¡­ yeah, the old fuck was a horny fuck too.

    ¡°Damn. Wherever we go there¡¯s prostitutes.¡± Florato clicked her tongue and wiped her forehead in shame.

    ¡°That¡¯s Periatus for you. Let¡¯s be glad we helped the people back in Fort Jao. At least they don¡¯t have to do such nasty shit.¡± Bolato tried to maintain course, not disturbing the mood.

    The scarecrow was only mildly comforted, since she had finally gotten to take a bath that was voluntary. And yet, she felt no weight being relieved.

    No words could indefinitely calm Vega¡¯s conflicted heart. She wanted to be happy and yet there were too many things off to be happy. She doubted it, Uvi Jantok. That it was a shadow disguised as light.

    Slums of eerie disposition, the type of quiet that hurts the ears. Like an approaching poison, that sense of doom and weakness was there, if faintly. There was something wrong.

    Not just the criminals, but something. Perhaps something behind those walls.

    ¡°...this is it.¡± Her feet stopped on the start of the bridge, next to a gatehouse beside the bridge.

    Huge does not even begin to describe the size of those walls. Kaliber¡¯s towers barely met one third of the height of the walls, let alone its length. When in the evening, every building and activity next to the walls is treated like night time for the shadows swallowed the city.

    Below the bridge was a moat made out from the Yutai Basin, a nearly river-sized water feature. Aside then marching your army over impossible to climb mountains, this was the only way into Jantok Sky. And did it make you feel like you were in the clouds.

    The bridge elevated high letting to the black gate, with two staircases for walking and a paved road for driving in goods with carts and wagons. Watchmen in the gatehouse beside them used heavy crossbows, ones that had to be manned by a crew of four. A checkpoint of guards and watchmen stood, as currently a werewolf merchant was being processed, as one watchmen was reading his papers.

    ¡°Huh. Ya know, I¡¯m not sure if I really want to go in.¡±

    ¡°What do you mean?¡± Florato eyebrows raised in mild shock.

    ¡°I¡¯m gonna go in, but¡­ I have this creeping dread, ya know? Like something is going to happen when I¡¯m in there or with ya guys out here.¡±

    ¡°Don¡¯t worry Vega. We¡¯ll just head to a restaurant nearby.¡± Valiato offered a calming idea. Almost what she needed, her friends doing something fun as she wrapped up all the bloody stuff. Hell, she would have preferred that idea. But¡­

    ¡°That¡¯s good, but, I think it might-might be better if¡­ one of ya guys go with me?¡±

    They all stood aghast at Vega¡¯s suggestion. Not because they were upset, but because Vega offered a chance to venture into one of the wonders of the Iozian world. However, Bolato had to tie them back to earth.

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    ¡°Guys, we¡¯ve talked about this. Vega is the only one that has any reason and chance to be let in. Adding another person might not be necessary.¡±

    ¡°Yeah, and only a few people go inside from what it looks like.¡± Skaldi pointed, sober now, by Vega''s suggestion.

    ¡°Hold on!¡± Florato stepped in front of the two of them in the dramatic fashion only an actor could. ¡°Let¡¯s not think of this as a ¡®necessary¡¯ choice but as one that Vega wants.¡±

    ¡°Huh?¡± Valiato seemed confused by the idea of Vega having a choice.

    ¡°Well, I kinda just want to do this with my friends. I¡¯m more than willing to do this alone-lone, to a journey¡¯s end and all that. But I think¡­ I don¡¯t know-I just have this feeling it might be a bit better.¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m more than willing to go. You guys along with Vega have done a lot so I can at least do this service.¡± The actress went beside Vega and in a strange turn of events, held the scarecrow¡¯s hand.

    This might be the time where I¡¯d make a lesiban joke in poor taste, but I was too giddy for that image. Oh so adorable!

    Okay, back to the world being terrible.

    ¡°Florato, I understand. But remember, this is an Oligarch we¡¯re talking about here. They¡¯re going to have certain tastes for his visitors and sending Vega alone is a bit tricky. The only reason is we are sending her in because she¡¯s the one designated to transport the box. More people might cause more problems.¡±

    ¡°True. Counterpoint, I have titties.¡±

    ¡°She does indeed have those.¡± Skaldi agreed, moving his eyepatch like they were scholar glasses.

    ¡°~What¡¯s a titty Amir?~¡±

    ¡°~Ask Skaldi.~¡±

    ¡°What¡¯s a titty Ska?¡±

    ¡°Ask Florato.¡±

    ¡°What¡¯s a titty Flo?¡±

    ¡°Ask Vega.¡± Florato could barely contain; her laughter.

    ¡°What¡¯s a titty Vega?¡±

    ¡°Something I like a lot.¡± Vega said the truest truths.

    ¡°Listen!¡± Bolato projected his voice, returning the conversation back to a tactic decision. ¡°I don¡¯t think we¡­ should risk it.¡±

    ¡°Sweetie.¡± Skaldi hugged the arm of the soldier, putting as much charm on as he could.

    ¡°...yes Skaldi?¡±

    ¡°I promise that if you let three of us in, I¡¯ll make us a wedding ring.¡± The elf¡¯s voice was tender and comfy, making Bolato blush brightly as everyone snickered at his reaction. Seeing the soldier be the one on the backfoot in romance was certainly a sight.

    ¡°Uh-ha! Okay¡­¡±

    ¡°Isn¡¯t that what you Iozians do? Get a ring to commemorate love and all that?¡± Skaldi spoke quietly, not trying to signal to the watchmen that they were secretly homosexual.

    ¡°Yep-yep! I oversaw a-a wedding once.¡±

    ¡°Really?¡± Skaldi rested his head on Bolato¡¯s shoulder.

    ¡°Yeah. One of that of a deadman and Recor!¡± Vega put her hands on her chest and looked up to the sky in love.

    ¡°Oh. You did a funeral service. That¡¯s morbid¡­ anyway! How about it hubby? I¡¯ll even put on a wedding dress that those Iozians wear.¡± Skaldi¡¯s persuasion got plenty more laughter at Florato, and completely embarrassed Bolato.

    ¡°~Why is Bola so red? Don¡¯t tell me the sodomites are going to have sex now?~¡±

    ¡°~It¡¯s nothing, Ari. Skaldi is just playing him.~¡±

    ¡°~The boy? Playing someone? Ha!~¡±

    Amir laughing at Bolato threw him over the edge, having his heart too much in flux.

    ¡°Fine. You guys¡­can do that. But we¡¯re, as a team, going to pick out the dress together.¡±

    ¡°Deal!¡± Skaldi hustled over to the actress and the scarecrow. The reason why he even offered to join confused himself. He would likely face some ill manners and inhospitable rich men. Yet, the look on Vega¡¯s face showed that she needed some here. That she needed her friends, and so he was happy to join her.

    ¡°Just¡­don¡¯t touch anything? And do only what the watchmen tell you to, alright?¡± Bolato walked them over to the checkpoint, as the party jogged over seeing that they had just finished with the werewolf.

    ¡°Hello sir-sir, can we-¡±

    ¡°No.¡±

    ¡°I didn¡¯t even get to-¡±

    ¡°NO.¡±A thick and deep masculine voice bursted out of the decorated warrior, echoing all around. You couldn¡¯t even see the watchmen¡¯s eyes. ¡°Before anyone can get processed through the gate, everyone must be wearing the proper gear.¡± Pointing with the end of a spear, the werewolf¡¯s clothes were certainly¡­ odd.

    The werewolf was wearing a strawberry colored bikini.

    ¡°Oh fuck¡­¡± Florato dreaded this.

    ¡°Oh fuck yeah!¡± Skaldi loved this. ¡°A new opportunity to try out some new clothing, while being drunk? Don¡¯t mind if I do!¡±

    ¡°Keep calm tarangs, we do provide such equipment at only one gold per person. We have a catalog of equipment for all shapes, sizes, and¡­¡± His presentation stopped when his eyes met Vega again. She wasn¡¯t necessarily the Oligarch¡¯s¡­type? I mean, she doesn¡¯t even have anything to show off, unless one has a fetish for wood. ¡°...creatures¡­¡±

    A guard dressed in what could only be described as a sexualization of the Tripolian robes walked over displaying a magazine of the available options.

    ¡°Haha! By the spirits, I imagined Amir is pissed.¡± Skaldi covered his mouth with his hands, trying not to bring the wrath of the Tripolian.

    ¡°~Blood, I can handle. Stupidity, sure. Sodomites? I have dealt with them for years. But never in all my time have I have ever felt such a psychic disrespect done onto me. May the Iozian god have mercy on their lost souls.~¡±

    ¡°~Ari?~¡±

    ¡°~Sorry. I¡¯m only absolutely livid right now, so I shouldn¡¯t be speaking like this.~¡±

    The actress and the elf crouched on the ground, bickering like best friends on what would look best on each other. Slight compliments, light touchings of each other''s hair, and general sizing each other to better choose their clothing options.

    Plus, they had rooms for all of them to wait without the view of the watchmen. So the team waited there as they changed.

    Although Florato, as reasonable for her past treatment of her appearance, was initially more apprehensive to go along with the ¡®equipment¡¯. Ironically though, Skaldi¡¯s judgment and sense of Florato¡¯s own confidence added her in creating an outfit that she was comfortable with. Showing off skin around her midriff and shoulders, she didn¡¯t look exploited or feel leered at. Beautiful and proud, was the phrase Skaldi gave her.

    As for the effeminate elf, you can imagine his delight at all the options. On every turn of the magazine, he yelped and ¡®oh''s in excitement. Where Florato took ten minutes to get ready, Skaldi used thirty minutes in trying out all that he could.

    Wearing puffy pants that exaggerated his hips (and yes, his fat ass) and free make up, Skaldi wished to prove himself superior in terms of beauty.

    As a game to keep them from getting bored, everyone besides Skaldi used boards to rate his outfit choices, from one to ten.

    He once walked out in a long cherry dress that paired with his long hair. Valiato and Vega gave him seven. Kaliba gave him four, don¡¯t ask me how. Florato gave him five. Surprisingly, Amir gave him a nine. And Bolato gave him a kiss.

 Chapter 47: The Black Gate (Part 2!)

    Chapter 47: The Black Gate (Part 2!)

    In the end as he stepped out of the changing room towards the watchmen, he ended up staying with the puffy pants, sleeveless shirt, and a vampiric bit of waist ¡®gear¡¯.

    ¡°A corset? Ouch.¡± Florato winced at the sight. It looked very good on Skaldi, but didn¡¯t illicit any good memories.

    ¡°Yeah? What¡¯s the problem?¡±

    ¡°Saw a friend of mine wear it once. She had to peel it off and it left her skin aching hot pink.¡±

    ¡°Ha. Just needs a man wearing it. That¡¯s all.¡± Skaldi held his head high, as a strong breeze blew past. ¡°By the way, love that flower look you have.¡±

    ¡°Yeah, it''s cute.¡± Florato gave a genuine smile, feeling pretty and pretty happy with herself. ¡°But honestly, if you¡¯ve been subject to what I¡¯ve been in terms of ¡®focusing on certain parts of your body that you¡¯re insecure on¡¯, you¡¯d have an aversion to this type of stuff.¡±

    ¡°I¡¯ve faced insults too. Don¡¯t forget, feminine looking body?¡± Skaldi pointed up and down to his form. ¡°I¡¯ve learned to appreciate what my momma gave me, as you Iozians say.¡±

    ¡°I know, I was just making a joke. But, change the word boobs to balls that basically captures the absurdity of how I feel.¡±

    ¡°I don¡¯t need to. Vega!¡± Skaldi called out, as Vega jumped up and stood at attention.

    ¡°Yes sir?¡±

    ¡°Do you like my boobs?¡± Skaldi put out his chest and threw his hair back with his thumb.

    ¡°Yeah Skaldi, your boobs are awesome! Also your personality!¡±

    ¡°Thank you. See?¡± Skaldi snootily looked at her.

    ¡°What about my personality?¡± Florato pushed him aside, wishing to get that type of moral compliment more often.

    ¡°Florato, ya are a person near and dear to me and I love ya like the moons loves the sun!¡±

    ¡°Aw¡­¡± Florato¡¯s sweet heart warmed as she clasped her hands together, resting them on the side of her face.

    ¡°And ya are essentially my first girlfriend.¡± Vega rubbed her bandaged nose. If she could blush, she would be blushing at the moment. However everyone was terrified at the fact she had said something very homosexual, in front of the guards and the watchmen. Not even Skaldi¡¯s antics showed any sign of sus shit, so they all waited with bated breath.

    ¡°Why are you looking at us? Being gay is legal in Jantok¡­¡±

    ¡°Oh! Oh, what?¡± Florato seemed pleasantly surprised and somewhat relieved.

    ¡°Yeah, legalized a hundred and forty years ago.¡± The deep almost sinister voice of the watchmen contrasted the subject, speaking in a sweet conversation tone.

    ¡°Yep. My daughter has a gay girlfriend. Had a wedding a couple weeks ago.¡±

    ¡°I have two dads.¡±

    ¡°My dog is gay!¡±

    ¡°Huh¡­ guess we can do that wedding ring idea after all.¡± Skaldi laid his arm on top of Valiato, causing her to slap him off while she laughed.

    ¡°So¡­ just confirming, gay shit is okay?¡± Bolato gingerly asked.

    ¡°Yeah. So long as you¡¯re not with one of those disgusting ghosts.¡±

    ¡°Uhh-¡±

    ¡°Those filthy, degenerate ghosts.¡±

    ¡°Ohhh no.¡± Florato and Skaldi hugged Valiato close, as if shielding her from the scornful comments.

    ¡°Fuck ghosts!¡±

    ¡°But beside that¡­ you homosexuals are fine.¡±

    ¡°Totally chill!¡±

    ¡°A gay person is my best friend!¡±

    The overwhelming love of one minority versus the complete abject hate of others was¡­ comedic to say the least.

    ¡°~Hmm. Iozians.~¡± Amir knew the tone, even if he couldn¡¯t understand their words. ¡°~Kid. We¡¯re leaving.~¡±

    ¡°Right¡­ you guys have¡­ fun¡­¡± The leaving of the father and daughter brought the group¡¯s once cheerful mood down once more. Even if they could bring the plans to the Oligarch, that wouldn¡¯t not improve anything related to the poor lifes of the ghosts.

    ¡°Darn. Welp, let¡¯s get on-on with the show!¡± Vega high fived one of the guards, breaking the last three out of their ashamed stupor. How could they have forgotten?

    ¡°What is your reason for coming to Uvi Jantok Sky?¡±

    ¡°To deliver a package of urgent importance. It is from Graham.¡±

    ¡°Oligarch Graham? Must have been years since we¡¯ve seen that tarang around.¡±

    ¡°Oligarch who?¡± Vega tilted her head and scratched her chin.

    ¡°Yes. Oligarch Graham. Member of the Marian family and the Oligarch of Suncatch and Diotrix?¡±

    ¡°Huh, cool.¡± Vega dug in her chest and pulled out the box. The black box. Bolato snatched the box out of her hands and began to analyze it thoroughly.

    ¡°From the Graham?¡±

    ¡°Yep-yep. Luiocleses told me to transport and that I did.¡±

    ¡°For your great service during this time of strife¡­¡± The watchmen paused, trying to come up with a proper word to refer to Vega. ¡°...Construct, you will be allowed to enter into Jantok Sky and deliver it to our Oligarch.¡±

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    ¡°Can-can I bring my friends?¡± She hugged the elf and the actress and pressed her face between them.

    ¡°What is their rating Dioato?¡± The watchmen called out to one of the guards, who instead was wearing a skimpy tunic.

    ¡°Roughly eight. If they pass the survey then a ten.¡± The guard spoke from a clipboard, written with pen and ink.

    ¡°Understood. We will begin the survey for your friends, if they pass, you¡¯ll be able to enter.¡±

    ¡°Is it multiple choice?¡± Florato groaned out, not looking forward to a boring test.

    ¡°It is based on responses. Are you ready?¡± Skaldi and Florato nodded. ¡°Have you recently shaved your legs and armpits?¡±

    The strangeness of the question made Florato and Skaldi frozen. They were expecting questions about if they carried weaponry or certain medical requirements.

    ¡°I don¡¯t have hair on my body?¡±

    ¡°And I¡¯m pretty sure you can see that for yourself?¡± Florato told the watchmen. As he answered, the guard gave an approving groan.

    ¡°Do you exercise at least twice a week? This includes walking for three hours, weightlifting along with sports for one hour or running for thirty minutes.¡±

    ¡°Yeah. Had quite the fight yesterday.¡± Skaldi presented the arrow wound on his arm and stomach, also gaining a groan of approval.

    ¡°Sort of? I mean, I practiced archery and had a fight two days ago. Does that count?¡±

    ¡°Yeah, she¡¯s the one that shot me.¡± Skaldi playfully punched her in the shoulder, while the actress laughed for a second.

    ¡°Indeed it does, but do bodyweight exercises more often.¡± The watchmen continued, making Florato a tad bit more insecure. ¡°Next question. Have you ever had sexual relations with a creature that is considered non sentient?¡±

    ¡°Well, there was a really ugly guy in college.¡± Florato sarcastically responded.

    ¡°That hardly qualifies. And you elf?¡±

    ¡°I was that really ug-¡±

    ¡°Shut up.¡± Florato groaned and tried not to laugh at Skaldi¡¯s joke.

    ¡°Haha. Okay, okay. No, I haven¡¯t.¡±

    ¡°Understood. Final question. Do any of you know how to give head?¡±

    ¡°Head?¡± Vega asked.

    ¡°You don¡¯t know what head is?¡±

    ¡°No, none of us know what ¡®head¡¯ is. Do you mean a head?¡± Florato questioned, very confused now by the survey. Skaldi seemed just as puzzled as everyone else. The watchmen groaned in disappointment, as if he expected them to know the skill of head.

    ¡°Hmm. What is their rating now?¡±

    ¡°Nine.¡±

    ¡°...that passes. It''s a shame none of you know how to give it.¡±

    ¡°Right¡­¡± Bolato turned away from the watchmen and appeared a bit uneasy. That somehow, these men outranked him and were capable of reading. That they were somehow smarter.

    ¡°You three may enter. Only go where there are watchmen. Do not waste the Oligarch¡¯s time.¡±

    ¡°Gotcha. See you later sweetie.¡± Skaldi waved him goodbye as they proceeded to walk up the bridge. Within a couple minutes the city behind them became shocking further away, like it had become a watercolor painting. In contrast, the gate and the wall showed a greater number of its details.

    Atop the wall battlements marched to the end of the horizon, with archers every twenty feet. Pillboxes every hundred feet jutted out the wall, adding another layer of defense. This wall, in a creepy manner, didn¡¯t feel defensive.

    Near the gate an extremely long crane connects the top to the bottom, using chains instead of rope. The scarecrow looked at the workers operating it, wondering how such a massive machine even operates. Curious, she¡¯d have to ask the Oligarch if she had time.

    Every minute, they stepper higher and higher. Florato and Skaldi¡¯s breathing grew heavier and longer, as they were climbing to the sky. The scarecrow turned around and gasped at the sight. They were so high up that they could finally see the country side, of all the windmills, watermills, orchards and farmland.

    One standout part was a part of the wall, not as thick or high but descending down until reaching the height of eighty feet. Like a crow perched above a gravestone.

    ¡°Huh, makes ya small, don¡¯t it?¡±

    Yet, the sound of the place was off. Not the type of dry and tired that might join a place of defense. Rhythm, in Vega¡¯s words, was killer.

    The foul water beneath them smelled of dung and rubish. Vega dared to look over the bridge, seeing that they were several hundred feet above the moat. Having expected salmon and other fish, what she saw were wooden spikes. Old ribs and skulls laid on these spikes with some having barnacles on them. They weren¡¯t even hidden.

    Vega, do you still think you¡¯re safe?

    ¡°I¡¯m glad that we¡¯re here. Sure beat-beats that island.¡±

    ¡°You got that right. Could barely breathe there!¡± Skaldi stretched out his arms and laid his hands on his head, relaxing, enjoying the buzz of alcohol.

    ¡°Sure beats the boat. There¡¯s only so many hours you can spend in a wooden ship before you start to go mad.¡± Florato added on, relieved to have her feet on solid ground.

    Not quite the answer I¡¯m looking for. Ah, here¡¯s this. Do you think your friends are safe?

    ¡°Once we get this delivered, everything will be looking up, right Vega?¡± The actress kept moving forward, not paying attention to how Vega is acting. The sort of movement of the eyes and head, visibly listening to two different people.

    ¡°Maybe¡­ might not make us rich.¡±

    ¡°That¡¯s true, but we can fix that later.¡±

    Will there be a later to fix? Will there be an after?

    ¡°I hope-hope so.¡±

    ¡°What, are you feeling bad because some of us got hurt?¡± Florato thoroughly enjoyed Vega¡¯s caring attitude. Not too much to insensitively pity someone in pain but enough to be present and warm. Yet here, Vega wasn¡¯t worried about the past pains. The future, her worry was on future ones.

    ¡°Yeah. I actually cried when Valiato got hurt.¡±

    ¡°Oh, I¡¯m sorry to hear that.¡± Florato had never expected Vega to have been so hurt by such an event. Everything looked like it had not phased her. Not even dead bodies. ¡°We can talk about it after we¡¯re done. I know the Voice, the Assassin stuff, the celestial crap is weighing on you.¡±

    ¡°Don¡¯t worry, after killing that bad guy, I¡¯m feeling a lot better.¡±

    Don¡¯t lie to yourself. Don¡¯t lie to her.

    ¡°You sure? You really are a strong person Vega.¡±

    She might be speaking from the heart, but we both know that¡¯s not true. You¡¯re just a ghost.

    ¡°Maybe¡­maybe¡­¡±

    Gargantuan is too small. Mammoth is too animal. Fleshy is too human. What word describes the gate?

    ¡°Before we open the gate, you must pray.¡±

    ¡°For what reason?¡±

    ¡°This gate is holy. This gate is sacred. No one enters without a prayer.¡± The watchmen changed from a man of military background to a man of Recorian background. As if he had been appointed as prophet, he less spoke and more taught. This gate is perpetual. This gate is unbreakable. This isn¡¯t a gate. This is the gate.

    Florato was the first to pray, choosing to stand and clasping her hands together, in the fashion of the Jukikos tribe. Excluding her thumbs and her index, her fingers hugged the hands close, making the shape of a cathedral and its steps.

    Skaldi bent his knees, and began to murmur half forgotten prayer songs. Here, he felt the bruises on his skin. The acid in his stomach. Cuts and splitting of his arrow wounds. And his lost eye formed a chasm on his face. He didn¡¯t feel weak or a failure of a man. He was a survivor and he had made it.

    The scarecrow sat down on the bridge, not quite knowing what to say. She loved Recor and the world he and the spirits had created. She didn¡¯t lose faith, but she lacked the same assured nature that she had back in Cold Cavern.

    Ah, what would you say before god? What would you say before me?

    Staring up at the gate, Vega came up with a word that would begin her prayer. Cosmic. Cosmic love had brought her here and it is that same cosmic love that would get here out. That love would push her. Don¡¯t stop, don¡¯t let go.

    A thin stream of light broke through, as all three of them opened their eyes at the glow.

    The gate had opened. A false light had broken through the clouds.

 Chapter 48: Jantok Sky

    Chapter 48: Jantok Sky

    How can people in heaven be happy when people burn in hell? Easy, just don¡¯t think about it!

    ¡°Oh my stars¡­¡± Vega¡¯s eyes full of delight, moved past the gate and into the realm of Jantok Sky.

    Splendor all around, as the green waters of the Yutai Basin was the entire horizon. If Jantok Rock was a city, Jantok sky was a dense country. Towers and intersecting highways, purple and pink trees in waterparks, and artworks on almost every non walked on surface. A name like Jantok Sky fails to capture the incredible life of this city.

    Rich folk were all around, of happy color in their skin and eyes. A mixture of race and species, like the ones that happen in faculties and love stories, except that it was unremarkable here.

    Men and women walked together in the parks that rained ornate leaves, drank exotic teas in the seaside parlors, and played sports in the many flat fields. So majestic. So serene. How could it be possible?

    ¡°You have only an hour¡¯s time to stay. All transactions are done with silver and gold only. Enjoy it. You won¡¯t be returning.¡± The watchmen and guards said clearly as the opening of the gate closed behind them, as if sealing off a world.

    Florato was utterly enamored. Never in all of her life had seen a place of her dreams come to life. If there was a heaven on earth, this should be it. There could be no competition.

    ¡°This seems¡­ gilded?¡± Much to their surprise, Skaldi¡¯s emotion was unmoved. Perhaps it had been the alcohol, the faint bruises on his arms, or the arrow wounds that numbed his reaction. But as Vega stepped beside him, he had never seemed more sober than before. The candle in his head lit.

    ¡°Gilded? Never thought ya would use that word.¡±

    ¡°What does it mean?¡± The actress worried that somehow the drunk one was being stoic in such a place.

    ¡°It¡¯s like¡­ false look? Thin gold but wood underneath.¡±

    ¡°That¡¯ll be-be it. But, I get ya mean.¡± The scarecrow understood the feigned nature of the city.

    Everyone was so full, not one person of skinny frame. Most had a mass of toned muscle on their shoulders and waists. They were of muscular build, not that of soldiers, sailors, or any working laborer. Their bodies were sculpted like that of gladiators and bodybuilders, forms to impress. They were not of strength but mass. To look strong without being strong.

    Not to be shallow, but the Kai Ren men there were very charming to¡­ admire. Yeah¡­ admire.

    ¡°Come on guys, look! It¡¯s wonderful.¡± Florato spun around, as a mint smelling wind blew around.

    Painted white walls of temples with sloped unturning roofs of yellow and green tiles, streets full of laughter and talk, flowers of splendid beauty roamed and climbed whatever surfaces they could. To be fair to the actress, how could one detect anything wrong with such a place?

    I suppose I should answer. It¡¯s wrong because there are no wrongs.

    ¡°Something isn¡¯t right. A facade.¡± Skaldi held his forehead, feeling another headache come on.

    ¡°Ersatz.¡± Vega remembered the word from a book she read one time.

    ¡°Guys, you think you¡¯re forgetting that we just came from the most crime ridden city.¡±

    ¡°No-no. We¡¯re precisely remembering that. A couple hour-hours ago we saw dudes fighting on the beach and yet that doesn¡¯t exist here.¡±

    She understood Florato¡¯s position, better than anyone else could. Florato didn¡¯t want to forget all that happened, but put it off for at least an hour. Let the weights fall to the ground so that they can be more easily carried later.

    ¡°Vega, do you want to talk about how you''re feeling now? I don¡¯t want the stuff to mess with this awesome place.¡±

    ¡°It¡¯s not that. But thank ya. I think Skaldi is right on this.¡±

    ¡°Ha. That¡¯s a first.¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m not sure, but I know there¡¯s more to this place. Ya can go have fun without me, but I know there¡¯s something.¡± Vega turned back to the gate, and at its immense scale. Although she stared at the gate, she wasn¡¯t seeing it. She was seeing past it, the rooms of the Kaliber¡¯s tower along with its note. On the track, she couldn¡¯t lose that focus.

    Florato sighed and wrapped her arms around Vega¡¯s neck. Even if she went alone, she couldn¡¯t even begin to have fun here. Heaven isn¡¯t the same without the ones you love.

    ¡°You have a way of making people feel a way, huh?¡±

    ¡°I try-try to.¡± Vega patted her forearm twice before taking out the black box and the plans. ¡°We have an hour to look around. Ya guys stay together and hold onto the stuff.¡±

    ¡°Why us? You can hold that shit inside you.¡± Skaldi protested, having to hold the many scrolls of paper in his arms while Florato had the easier to carry box.

    ¡°Aren¡¯t you the one that¡¯s supposed to deliver too?¡±

    ¡°Yes, but I have to check out one of those towers. There¡¯s one in here and if some bad-bad guy takes me, I want the stuff to be with ya.¡±

    ¡°You say that like you¡¯re deliberately going to get yourself in trouble.¡± Skaldi managed to tuck the scrolls under his arm awkwardly. He saw that Florato just put the box in the pocket. ¡°Hey, you mind?¡±

    This tale has been pilfered from Royal Road. If found on Amazon, kindly file a report.

    ¡°No, I really don¡¯t.¡±

    ¡°Haha, very funny.¡± Skaldi overdramatically groaned as the actress took a few scrolls in her hands.

    ¡°Skaldi, I think we¡¯ve been enough sit-situations that the trouble tends to come to us-us rather than we get into it.¡±

    ¡°Sure, but how do you know that there will be something in there?¡±

    ¡°Found a letter in the one we¡¯re in, but it doesn¡¯t say much. I¡¯m hoping this one here will. Is that fine with ya guys?¡±

    ¡°Ehh, I can still enjoy this place even if I¡¯m snooping around.¡± Florato took an optimistic approach, that beauty can exist in the search. ¡°Still, there is so much to explore here.¡± The actress looked out to the eastern horizon, where farmland and water nested close to the wall.

    ¡°I¡¯m not fond of rich folk, but I can stick by blondie here.¡±

    ¡°Can I call you redie?¡±

    ¡°Hmmm. How about Cherry?¡± Skaldi liked the taste of the nickname in his mouth.

    ¡°Not bad. We¡¯ll take care of it, Vega. Let¡¯s meet back here in fifty.¡±

    ¡°Cool-cool! Don¡¯t get caught-caught!¡±

    Even for the scarecrow, the ugly scribbling of the words on the map got on her nerves. Like an irritating nitpicking in the mind. That¡¯s not how you spell the word even if you sounded it out. This letter doesn¡¯t even exist in the Iozian script. Upsettingly, Vega knew from the size of the words that it definitely wasn¡¯t written by a kid, this had to been the work of someone of remarkable dislike of following the rules of writing.

    ¡°What the hell-hell were they even trying to write here? ¡®Graa raannnd¡¯? Is that ground?¡±

    ¡°Move it!¡± A beefy toga wearing man pushed her aside.

    ¡°Sorry sir-sir. I thought this place might have made-made people a tad kinder.¡±

    ¡°Ew. Another Rock tarang.¡± A teenage girl stopped in front of her on a street between two restaurants. She was drinking out of a giant cup of tea and waved her hand at her.

    ¡°Uh, miss? Can ya tell me where Kaliber¡¯s tower is-is?¡±

    ¡°I don¡¯t what Kaliber is, but is he hot? And rich?¡±

    ¡°...nevermind. Have a good-good day!¡±

    ¡°Eh, whatever!¡±

    ¡°Jeez. I bet the other two are having it easier.¡± Vega increasingly felt weird about Jantok Sky. She wasn¡¯t treated like a talking scarecrow, she was treated like some wet rubbish grown feet. She¡¯d been treated poorly, evenly hurtfully, but never this mundanely. Like opening a window to toss out a bad drawing, that¡¯s how they acted to her.

    Yet further she went, the less clearer it had all gotten.

    If Jantok Rock was contained in the Thrakian Sea, Jantok Sky was imprisoned by the mountains. Two separate mountain ranges from the west and the north formed a horn that was Jantok Sky, with clouds of orange mist flying down the peaks and making the city breezy.

    Dammed, the Yutai Basin wasn¡¯t a natural feature. Having been built some two hundred years ago, the Hydro Naga dam formed a red snake between the ranges, with the water having formed the basin. From where she could see, the dam rivaled the size of the walls.

    Why, why was there a wall between the peoples? It wouldn¡¯t make sense for efficiency to have such a gigantic divide for productivity. Never even in the sense of class, everything appeared so inconvenient.

    ¡°Hmmm. Defense is not the answer.¡± Vega thought aloud, tracing with her hands to a star shaped building on the map, roughly to her left. She looked with her eyes, seeing a clue to her side.

    A palace with towers on the extending flanks, much like the reeds of a cattail, bobbed in the wind. This bobbing came from burning lights within the highest windows, like stars warping in the night sky. Attached to the back end of the place was a heavy looking rectangle. From the high roofs protruded three horns that blew out black gas, and an additional facility on the side powered by a water mill.

    ¡°Industrial, that¡¯s it.¡± Vega discovered.

    The palace was a citadel, holding whatever this factory connected to it was producing. This could not be the reason alone, but it could be a reason among others.

    ¡°Water is available for everyone but from different sources. Everyone here is healthy and-and even fat. Yet back in Rock, most folk are thinner. I knew there was something to this place.¡±

    Have you found your answer yet?

    ¡°Do ya have this much time-time on your hands?¡±

    Yes. That¡¯s something I have and you don¡¯t.

    ¡°Ya are such a dic-¡± A muffled cry came out from a doorway. To her left was an oddity. A ruined temple, with toppled colemns and no lights. Not sparing any expense, Vega rushed into the darkness.

    Dust spiraled in a small tornado in the room, as Vega had to step and climb over the toppled debris. Dark red, there only appeared to be a bleak flash stick, only emitting a cold glow.

    ¡°Where was that noise?¡±

    ¡°MhhPH!¡± Turning her head up, there appeared to be two shadows fighting atop the upper floor. Not wanting to waste time looking for a staircase, Vega ran up, pulled her pickax out of her body, and slammed it against the upper floor. Swinging like an acrobat, she launched upwards and landed in a crouch.

    ¡°Hey tarang! You¡¯re not supposed to be here.¡± The voice was that of a guard.

    ¡°Ouch¡­¡± The person behind her was wounded, their blood shining like water in moonlight. Vega turned to the shadow, reaching out a hand to it. ¡°Hey you¡­ please. Help me.¡±

    ¡°And gotcha!¡± The watchmen stabbed Vega in the back with his short sword, crying proudly as he did it.

    ¡°Got-got what?¡±

    ¡°...You¡¯re not dead?¡±

    ¡°Oh, ya must have misplaced this.¡± Vega reached over her back and took the blade out and tossed it to the feet of the guard. He fell back, spooked that she survived the attack.

    ¡°Holy¡­ hey! Help me and kill that guy!¡± The wounded person demanded.

    ¡°Ya sure?¡± Vega wasn¡¯t against the idea, entertaining it like the wounded person was choosing a color on a dress.

    ¡°Y..yes?!¡±

    ¡°Doesn¡¯t sound con-convincing.¡±

    ¡°He literally just stabbed you and me!¡±

    ¡°To be fair, I did just do that.¡± The guard agreed with the wounded person, totally on their side that it would be reasonable to kill him. Yet the scarecrow needed a little more pushing.

    ¡°Kill him! Pretty please?¡±

    ¡°Okie dokie.¡± Vega bowed, the urgency of the voice was enough for her. Simply taking a brick from the ruined wall, she proceeded to beat the guard¡¯s head in. With¡­ a brick. She whistled as she did it, as blood splattered on her face. The brutal efficiency of the killing surprised the wounded person, even they couldn¡¯t have predicted Vega¡¯s joyful and rhythmic work.

    Wiping the blood on her forehead as if she had sweat on it, she got up from the dead body and skipped over to the wounded person.

    ¡°Another job-job well done!¡±

 Chapter 49: Deleted Dominion

    Chapter 49: Deleted Dominion

    You might find this a bit funny, but did you know that scarecrows don¡¯t have a great sense of pain?

    But why?

    Because they inherently don¡¯t have it, or that it was simply erased?

    What would they say if they had a sense of pain?

    ¡°THANK YOU SO FUCKING MUCH!¡±

    ¡°Gee, I only killed a person. No need to be so-so grateful.¡± Vega started to scratch her head. Not that she felt uncomfortable, but the person was bleeding all over her new legs.

    ¡°Thank Recor!¡±

    ¡°Yes, praise be. But-but I really think ya should lie down. I just got this cleaned.¡±

    ¡°Oh. Okay, alright.¡± The person let go, probably feeling a bit dumb. Vega caught their head and began to lay them against the wall. Although it was quite dark, Vega could tell that both of the hands and one of their forearms had been slashed at. As she took out some bandages from her chest, Vega looked at the guard¡¯s body in mild anger.

    ¡°Ya ought to be ashamed.¡± Vega chastised the dead guard, as his broken body fell to the side just a few seconds after.

    ¡°Thank you¡­ again.¡± The person became a lot clearer and who they were was revealed as Vega wrapped up their arm. Of some sort of skin condition, their patches of skin were mixed with soft orange and strawberry pink.

    ¡°Huh, ya look like a bowl of ice cream.¡±

    ¡°The fuck¡¯s ice cream?¡±

    ¡°Wow, Jantok Sky sucks.¡± She finished wrapping up the last of their wounds and she lifted her head to see the person¡¯s face. Of a masculine shape, handsome tone while retaining a faint exhaustion. Strangely their hair had a soft green while the color blending went with their eyes, also being pink and orange. This rainbow-like hair fell down to their chest and clearly hadn¡¯t been taken care of and their eyes were slow to move.

    ¡°Hello mister!¡±

    ¡°Oh, I¡¯m¡­ not a guy.¡± She backed away and turned her head away. She expected the uncomfortable questions and what came next. Rejection of her identity, just like the rest¡­

    ¡°Okie dokie, hello miss!¡± What she didn¡¯t suspect that a scarecrow has no prejudices over anyone! Well¡­ except crows, but that¡¯s more of a harmful stereotype.

    ¡°...Huh¡­¡± The lady looked back at Vega, who didn¡¯t immediately fly into a tirade about how she¡¯s weird. The scarecrow didn¡¯t make her feel any less of a person.

    ¡°Uhh, are ya alright?¡±

    ¡°You¡¯re the first person that didn¡¯t question my identity.¡± She said mundanely, as tears bubbled up in her eyes. ¡°THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR RESPECTING ME!¡±

    ¡°No problem!¡± Vega didn¡¯t mind her hugging her so tightly now and felt happy to have provided her some solace. The ice cream lady cried into her chest, leaving multi-colored tears splashing onto the ground and all over her. Her dress was a black shoulder strapped dress with white stripes. ¡°But I still don¡¯t think ya should be praising me so¡­¡±

    ¡°Okay, haha.¡± The lady wiped some of her tears with her palm and nodded. ¡°Sorry, it''s just, I¡¯ve been having a really bad day and you¡¯re like, the best person ever so-¡±

    ¡°Calm down miss-miss. Let¡¯s just slow down.¡±

    ¡°Alright¡­ haha¡­ alright.¡± She let go and rested her back on the wall. Breathing out heavy, like releasing all the pressure in her body, her chest lowered before steadily rising again. ¡°But please don¡¯t hesitate to kill that person again. Please.¡±

    ¡°Gotcha. Heh. Haha.¡± Vega couldn¡¯t help but laugh. The situation was bewildering to say the least.

    ¡°What¡¯s funny?¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m covered in blood-blood, killed-killed someone a couple seconds ago, and ya are hugging me.¡±

    ¡°Yeah¡­ I think that says more about how the world treats me than you.¡± A sorrowful voice came out of her, as she brushed her hair and closed her eyes. Vega saw heavy eyebags, a jarring violet on her otherwise candylike skin.

    ¡°Huh. Well, I¡¯m sorry to hear that. Ya need anymore help?¡±

    ¡°You¡¯ll help me?! Just like that?¡± Her eyes shot open and the sides of her eyes sparkled in the literal sense.

    ¡°Yep. Do-do it for only nice people though, or else I feel like I don¡¯t have a reason for living!¡± Vega gave a thumbs up as if she were advertising her services.

    ¡°Huh. I bet you do that alot.¡± She breathed long through her nose and exhaled through her mouth.

    ¡°Ya look very neat when ya cry.¡±

    ¡°Thanks? I worked very hard on that.¡± She gingerly scratched the back of her neck, appreciative of the comment but disturbed that Vega liked her crying. ¡°But you should see my friend Neo, she looks stellar.¡±

    ¡°I¡¯ll keep that in mind, but what is-is your name?¡± She tugged her pickaxe out of the wall below as she spoke.

    ¡°Oh, it''s Sorbet.¡± When she finished, Vega got a good look at her eyelashes, which were both even. If she could have breathed a sigh of relief, she would have been right there.¡¯

    ¡°Well, nice to meet ya Sorbet. I¡¯m Vega, and I think ya can guess what I am, haha.¡± She tipped her hat and smiled a smirk while still covered in brains. Or, what was left of brains.

    ¡°Uh¡­a statue?¡± Sorbet tilted her head as she asked, as if verbally probing Vega. Her eyes danced, much like Vega¡¯s did and her voice was that of a curious student. Like she hadn¡¯t seen anything as bizarre and captivating as Vega before.

    ¡°No.¡±

    ¡°Huh, then I wouldn¡¯t know what you are.¡± Sorbet lowered her head a bit, a tad ashamed that she didn¡¯t know much.

    ¡°Oh, that¡¯s kinda of sad¡± Vega thought she might¡¯ve have assumed a bit much but did she not know what a scarecrow is? ¡°Hmm, well mind-mind explaining why that guard guy was chasing you?¡±

    ¡°Yes¡­ I uhh¡­ stole something. And I would, like, really like to get out of¡­ here.¡±

    ¡°Going to need a lot more than that-that if I''m going to help ya properly.¡± Vega had begun to check her map again, trying to figure out where Kaliber¡¯s tower was since it hadn¡¯t been as easily discoverable as last time.

    ¡°Okay okay. I stole a Soul Gem.¡± Sorbet admitted, like what she had stolen was a slice of bread.

    ¡°...what?¡±

    ¡°A Soul Gem. The Oligarch had a bunch of them around so I-¡±

    ¡°Show me!¡± Vega leapt onto Sorbet, like a dog to a bone. ¡°Ya really have a Soul Gem?!¡±

    ¡°Y-yes. Here, look.¡± The ice cream lady pulled from out of her dress a fist sized trinket. In her fist, thin beams of light came out, like she were holding the sun in her hand. As she opened it, a sunrise of green erupted around below slowly settling down. Not a singular gem, but a gem encrusted jar. Made of fine glass, tiny peridot gems surrounded the mouth of the jar, which was labeled ¡®Rouge¡¯.

    ¡°Oh my stars¡­¡± Vega was feeling something. Not the reward of curiosity nor a great tremor in her heart. But a cosmic connection, one that binds certain beings together. A tethering, a connection, a belonging.

    ¡°I knew that it-¡± Vega shushed Sorbet with her hand, as she took the jar with three fingers. She wasn¡¯t just looking at it, she was feeling it. That sort of feeling of discovery of something intrinsic. The type that makes you say ¡®I found!¡¯ or ¡®Finally! I figured it out!¡¯. Not the one that is ecstatic, but the type that inspires awe.

    The story has been taken without consent; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident.

    ¡°...Did anyone else see ya take it?¡±

    ¡°No. I think it was just the one guy. Don¡¯t know why though.¡± She threw her hair over her shoulder and began to brush it with her fingers. Sorbet winced and put her left arm down. ¡°Do you think that¡¯s a bad thing?¡±

    ¡°...¡±

    ¡°...hello?¡±

    ¡°Occupied.¡±

    ¡°What?¡±

    ¡°... oh sorry I was just looking at¡­ that.¡± Vega lingered as she spoke before handing the Soul Gem back to Sorbet. ¡°Could-could be a bad thing. But let¡¯s get ya out of here before it does.¡±

    ¡°Thank you so much.¡± Sorbet gave her a quick hug again before rising up. ¡°Okay, let me think. Maybe I could¡­ make a disguise? Like those actors do back at the palace.¡±

    ¡°Poke. Poke.¡±

    ¡°Ah, but I have no money! That basically eliminates all my options.¡±

    ¡°Poke, poke.¡±

    ¡°Maybe I could make a business¡­ maybe one that involves pyramids.¡± Sorbet scratched her chin as squinted her eyes up towards the ceiling.

    ¡°Oh! So that¡¯s what a brain looks like!¡± Vega announced, slapping her forehead with brain paste.

    ¡°What are you doing?¡± Sorbet turned to see a disturbing sight.

    ¡°Poking around in his head. Or-or what is left-left of it.¡±

    ¡°...mind if I join?¡±

    They spent the next five minutes poking a dead body. It was pretty tight. As Sorbet started to get bored, her eyes wandered over to Vega.

    ¡°Do you have any ideas?

    ¡°Sure!¡± Vega pulled out her map once more and began deciphering the crude writings of the labels. She stopped as she realized something and groaned slightly.

    ¡°Why, what¡¯s wrong?¡±

    ¡°We got some good news and some bad-bad news.¡±

    ¡°Is that I¡¯m going to die?¡±

    ¡°No! Well, you¡¯ll die someday, but that¡¯s not what I¡¯m talking about. Which do ya want first?¡±

    ¡°Good news?¡±

    ¡°The good news is that I can get ya out of here.¡± Vega said it confidently, which made Sorbet very uneasy. How bad could the bad news be?

    ¡°And the bad news?¡±

    ¡°Well¡­ can ya fit in a bag?¡±

    ¡°Absolutely not!¡± Skaldi shouted at Vega, while Florato and Sorbet stayed behind a forested grove. The two were drinking tea the actress had gotten from a tea parlor, since Florato had been saving up all of her pay.

    ¡°Come on Skaldi! She¡¯s a new friend!¡±

    ¡°Vega, you are not messing with my limited edition bag of handing! This shit is the only one in existence.¡± Skaldi crossed his arms and shook his head on each word. ¡°Reach for my bag and you get turned into an example.¡±

    ¡°Skaldi, its not gonna rip your bag or anything, plus I haven¡¯t told ya about their stuff!¡± Vega said it in a manner to entice the elf. She knew the real reason why he didn¡¯t immediately help them.

    ¡°Wasn¡¯t it you that told us to hold onto the plans because you¡¯ll be the one poking around?¡±

    ¡°To be fair, she did poke stuff.¡± Sorbet called from the grove. The elf paused as he heard her speak. His eyes fell to the ground as he seemed to be in some light reflection.

    ¡°Florato, can you get over here for a moment?¡±

    ¡°Sure. Don¡¯t worry, I¡¯ll be right back.¡± She rubbed the ice cream lady on the shoulder before heading over to the other two. ¡°What is it?¡±

    ¡°...I don¡¯t know. They seem weird.¡±

    ¡°Weirder than a-a talking scarecrow?¡±

    ¡°Yes, weirder than that.¡± Skaldi wasn¡¯t one for holding prejudices, but he didn¡¯t quite understand Sorbet¡¯s self expression. ¡°For all I know they¡¯re just off and I think we should be cautious about this. Florato, what do you think?¡±

    ¡°Well, Skaldi¡­ are you exactly normal?¡±

    ¡°Fuck no.¡± Skaldi chuckled as he spoke. ¡°At least, I¡¯m not the norm for most Iozians.¡±

    ¡°Is it bad to be weird?¡± Florato opposed his line of thinking.

    ¡°N-no. I¡¯m just saying that-¡±

    ¡°Skaldi, is it really that hard to be nice to-to her just because she¡¯s a tad different to you?¡± Vega confronted him directly why.

    ¡°...I¡¯m listening.¡± Skaldi uncrossed his arms and put them on his hips. He was unprepared but was perfectly capable of being open minded. ¡°Really, I just haven¡¯t met someone like them. This is very new. So¡­ I¡¯m listening.¡±

    ¡°Hey, you can come over here now.¡± Florato spoke out to the grove, with Sorbet shyly poking their head out from the trunk of a tree.

    ¡°Are you guys done? I hope I haven¡¯t caused you any trouble.¡±

    ¡°You haven''t, it''s just¡­ I don¡¯t know.¡± Skaldi began pacing back and forth. The idea of a man identifying as a woman was confusing to him. Sure, he did express himself in a more feminine manner, but he still acknowledged himself as a man.

    ¡°Do I have to justify my identity to you? I can, but I¡¯ve done that, like, a million times already.¡± Sorbet scratched her head and her eyebags looked ever so slightly bigger. Skaldi noticed it but didn¡¯t comment.

    ¡°No, you don¡¯t need to do that. It¡¯s just¡­¡±

    ¡°Skaldi, I feel what you¡¯re feeling.¡± Surprising, Florato stepped in to fully consider how he might be feeling. ¡°I may not quite understand it, but I know she is having an experience.¡±

    The actress paused and put her arm over the shoulder of Sorbet, who gave a reassured smile. Happy that someone was standing up for her.

    ¡°Same with you Skaldi and same with me. I saw Valiato and her brand and while I felt uncomfortable at first, I love that kid. And I¡¯m sure that you weren¡¯t sure with who you were Skaldi. So please, let her find out who she is.¡±

    He couldn¡¯t argue with that, if anything the actress was good at keeping an open hand and an open heart. Where others would have rejected the whole party, she held it together in her own unique way.

    ¡°Trust me, it was pretty awkward for me too.¡± Sorbet spoke in a self-deprecating fashion, the way Skaldi recognized all too well.

    He took two big steps toward Sorbet and gave her a scanning look. By the way she was looking at him, she hadn¡¯t noticed his eyepatch. But Sorbet had the look everyone has when they¡¯re looking into a mirror.

    ¡°Hmm. What¡¯s your name¡­ miss?¡± Skaldi didn¡¯t face her completely, keeping her to his left. The ice cream lady eyes sparkled once more, joyful to have met another friend.

    ¡°It¡¯s Sorbet.¡±

    ¡°Just Sorbet?¡±

    ¡°Yeah. I heard it¡¯s like ice cream. I wonder what ice cream tastes like.¡±

    ¡°Tastes like a lot of different things, but nice name. What product do you use in your hair?¡±

    ¡°Just some soap and water. Want to feel?¡±

    ¡°Oh, fuck you.¡± Skaldi said in envy, laughing as he did. ¡°You know how hard it is to have hair this badass?¡±

    ¡°You guys act like you¡¯re the only ones with good hair¡±. Florato threw her hair over her shoulder as well.

    The three feminine folk began to have a fun argument on who¡¯s hair was the best in the group. Vega didn¡¯t want to barge in because she¡¯d know she¡¯d lose and that enjoying their argument from the sidelines was far more entertaining. Plus, more pretty people to look at.

    Within a couple minutes, they agreed on how they were going to do it. Sorbet will hide in the bag of handing (not trademarked) and Vega will hide the bag in her body.

    As the sun began to fall overhead, they had to head over to the palace quickly. While Florato and Skaldi went into a light jog, Vega took a speed walk.

    ¡°Don¡¯t worry miss-miss, everything will be alright.¡± Vega talked into her chest and felt the air coming out the bag. Just for safekeeping, they left the bag slightly ajar to ensure she¡¯d be able to breathe.

    The scarecrow, noticing that she probably wouldn¡¯t have another chance to search for the tower, took out her map once more. Tracing her finger to where she was, she found out that the tower should be right in front of her.

    ¡°Wooo, time to¡­¡± As she looked around, there was no tower. She checked the map again and then back at Jantok Sky. ¡°The hell?¡±

    There was no mistake on her interpretation of the map, this is where the tower should have been but there was only a bare street. The closest adjacent building was a tea parlor, nothing of the size and magnitude of the previous tower.

    ¡°This¡­ this isn¡¯t right.¡± Vega couldn¡¯t believe it. Why wasn¡¯t it here?

    I don¡¯t know about you, but I thought the first one looked quite bad.

    ¡°Did ya have something to do with this?¡±

    Well, I¡¯m no ghost.

    ¡°Hmm.¡± Vega understood that it couldn¡¯t have been the Voice, as conveniently as the would have been. ¡°...He¡¯s hoping that an Oligarch guy can give me the answers I want.¡±

    She caught up to her friends as the stood at a gate house before the citadel. It wasn¡¯t an incredible defensive measure like the black walls, but it got the job done.

    The palace behind it sized up to be a small hill and armored like an armadillo. The tower lights swam in the sky, warping and dancing. Powerfully and mysterious the whole complex was. One of the men standing in the gatehouse yelled out to them.

    ¡°What¡¯s your business?¡±

    ¡°To deliver an object to the Oligarch of Periatus!¡± Vega responded, fixing her appearance just enough to look presentable. The guard turned to a watchman and started speaking for a bit.

    ¡°Hey Vega?¡± Skaldi whispered to her.

    ¡°Yeah?¡±

    ¡°You haven¡¯t blinked in a while.¡±

    ¡°Yeah, I tend to forget to-to do that.¡± The three stood still, waiting for the man to finish. The watchmen pushed a level and the gate opened up like the mouth of a yawning rodent.

    The three stepped in and the gate started to fall behind them. Vega turned back and lingered, staring at where the tower should have been.

    Was it erased? Was it there to begin with?

    If no one remembers it, did it really happen?

 Chapter 50: A Palace out of Place

    Chapter 50: A Palace out of Place

    How one assembles and conducts their homes can tell you a lot about the person living there.

    But what if this person is a ruler?

    ¡°What did ya guys find out? ?¡± Vega kept her gaze high, mainly observing the palace for all its awe and its horror. Unless you craned your head fully up, you could not steer your gaze from the palace.

    ¡°That everything is expensive.¡± Florato crossed her arms and rolled her eyes at the city behind her.

    ¡°And that no one here sells quality booze. I could get wine for only a silver, but now I can only get nonalcoholic shit for three gold. This whole place is a scam.¡± The elf crossed his arms as well, except it was placed more on his belly.

    ¡°...did it taste weird?¡± The scarecrow said half confused and half intrigued. She never had tasted anything before, so the topic of food was always interesting. And yet, that was not what she was expecting.

    ¡°Ehhh¡­ a strong five to a weak six.¡± Skaldi waved his hand a bit to indicate how mediocre it was.

    ¡°Is that really it-it?¡± Vega squinted her eyes at the two, having anticipated a greater discovery.

    ¡°There¡¯s only so much that you can do in an hour. Plus, this lady wanted to spend time at a tea parlor. There¡¯s tea back in Jantok Rock!¡±

    ¡°Last I remember, there aren¡¯t any dead bodies, gangsters, or slums here.¡± Florato bumped her shoulder into Skaldi, making him go off balance for a moment.

    ¡°Come on, that¡¯s part of the charm. I think random murder is routine around here.¡±

    ¡°Oh, ya have no idea, Skaldi.¡± Vega giggled, glad to have helped another person.

    ¡°Well, you could have left at any time. And, I don¡¯t know, have I actually done something worthwhile?¡± Florato uncrossed her arms and held her hands up. ¡°Also, didn¡¯t you drop your drink Skaldi?¡±

    ¡°Ehh, it was a rental.¡±

    ¡°Guys, ya could have just said ya-ya found nothing.¡±

    The three stayed quiet for a bit, allowing the tension to simmer down. After a minute, Skaldi raised his hand back up.

    ¡°Actually, there was one thing. I saw those pretty people again.¡±

    ¡°And?¡±

    ¡°No, I mean I saw the same people again. Like, they looked pretty similar to the one¡¯s outside.¡±

    ¡°That¡¯s not much¡­ but I appreciate Skaldi.¡± The scarecrow couldn¡¯t hide her disappointment.

    ¡°...It¡¯s beautiful, I¡¯ll give them that.¡± Skaldi said with a twitch of disgust. He genuinely enjoyed how everything looked, but he felt something close to righteous anger. How could such a palace be so close to such an awful slum like Jantok Rock, he thought.

    ¡°A little too much. Maybe he¡¯s compensating for something?¡± The actress looked out to the basin, seeing the waters change from a delicious blue to a gray as the shadows of the palace fell down.

    Personally, I think it''s brilliant. I¡¯ve always admired how you Iozians build.

    ¡°I suppose that¡¯s right.¡± Vega admitted, finding the vagueist amount of common ground with the Voice.

    Of course I¡¯m right. But what about your friends?

    ¡°I don¡¯t know about you guys, but I¡¯ll feel a lot better back in the shitty side of town, that¡¯s for sure.¡± Skaldi walked backwards to face them both.

    ¡°You¡¯re just saying that because there was no alcohol here.¡± Florato shot back.

    ¡°Hey, you try drinking that ¡®Mirage¡¯ recreationally and then come back to me on a ¡®lack of alcohol¡¯. And no, cider is not a good substitute.¡±

    ¡°What do ya mean?¡±

    Do you really think that finding out the truth is going to change what''s going to happen?

    ¡°Well, it''s like replacing butter with something that¡¯s not butter. Sure, it tastes like it, but it doesn¡¯t get that¡­ I don¡¯t know¡­ that feeling. That form.¡± Skaldi snapped his fingers.

    ¡°I-I don¡¯t understand¡­¡±

    Ah, you may believe you are more than your parts. You may think that you¡¯re, how you say, the kindness and suffering in this world.

    ¡°I suppose you wouldn¡¯t understand, since you don¡¯t have any taste buds.¡±

    ¡°You know, what if the Oligarch grants us a boon? Maybe he could do that for you Vega.¡± Florato slapped her shoulder, briefly bringing her back into the conversation.

    ¡°Taste buds? Ha, what-what¡¯s next, I get an actual nose?¡±

    ¡°Shit, I¡¯d wish for a new eye. You never miss that twenty five percent of vision until that''s gone.¡± Skaldi spoke fondly of the idea, as if it were some romantic vision, pun very much intended.

    ¡°I got that. But I-I think it''s fine.¡±

    You¡¯re a very bad liar and you know that. There¡¯s a reason why you made HIM promise.

    ¡°You act like you¡¯re the one who''s lost an eye, hay girl!¡± Skaldi was playfully annoyed, expecting Vega to either bounce off it or make some bizarre remark.

    Stolen content warning: this tale belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences elsewhere.

    ¡°I know-know. But that¡¯s not it¡­¡±

    ¡°...Vega?¡± Skaldi stopped in his tracks as Vega bumped into his chest. ¡°Vega what¡¯s wrong?¡±

    ¡°I-uhh-¡±

    ¡°Wait, are you talking to the voice now?¡± Skaldi hunched over her as she backed away ashamed. ¡°Has¡­ has this been happening the whole time?¡±

    ¡°No! That¡¯s not-I¡¯m just talking to a friend, that¡¯s all!¡±

    ¡°Calm down, you¡¯re not in trouble.¡± Florato separated the two before they could start again. ¡°Just take a moment before you guys start saying something the guards will hear.¡±

    ¡°Alright. Alright. How long has this been happening?¡± Skaldi spoke slowly, as Vega attempted to prepare a worthy enough response.

    ¡°I¡­ uh¡­ I¡­¡±

    Come on, be that helper they need you to be.

    ¡°Shut up.¡± She turned around, shaking the air as she yelled up, facing the clouds where she heard the Voice.

    ¡°You are talking to him.¡± That confirmed the actress¡¯s suspicions but she held her tongue.

    ¡°Sorry¡­ I¡¯ve told ya that he¡¯s been talking more and more recently. And ever since we¡¯ve gotten to this place he¡¯s been talking none stop-stop.¡±

    ¡°It¡¯s not your fault. It¡¯s just that the asshole doesn¡¯t know when he¡¯s not wanted.¡± Skaldi shook his fist in the direction of the cloud she yelled at.

    Ouch, my poor heart is hurt! It¡¯d hurt more if it didn¡¯t come from such a pathetic drunkard. Much less one that is a sodomite.

    ¡°Ya are a fuckin-¡±

    ¡°There you go again. You really aren¡¯t lying.¡± Florato looked up to where Vega was speaking too. She started to feel sad. Never did she want her friends to be dragged into the fight.

    ¡°Guys, let¡¯s just take care of it-it after we get out of here.¡±

    ¡°Vega, let¡¯s deal with this weed now before it overgrows, alright?¡± Florato took her hand and squeezed it tenderly. Her eyes were calming this close, so she couldn¡¯t help but to concede.

    ¡°Okay. He¡¯s¡­ just being an asshole. Saying sour stuff about me and ya guys sometimes.¡±

    ¡°That does sound like it. Well, I haven¡¯t exactly heard of this guy, so I can only guess.¡± Florato shrugged, keeping the situation light.

    ¡°Anything else? Any details or messages?¡± Skaldi put his arm over her shoulder.

    At least she has some initiative. What she lacks in combat she makes it up in being such an adorable fool.

    ¡°You can trust us. We¡¯re in this together.¡± The actress reassured her.

    Are you? Are you really in this together? Because, as far as I¡¯ve seen, the moment things turn good, they suddenly leave you. They head back to their rooms. They simply disappear.

    ¡°...¡±

    Come on. You know you want too¡­ Tell them exactly what I¡¯ve been saying. No, tell her what you''re thinking.

    ¡°That¡¯s it. That¡¯s all. All he¡¯s saying is nothing but bluster.¡± Vega¡¯s soft spoken and wild eyes assured Florato. Nothing was the matter.

    But not Skaldi. Not him. He knew something was up but he kept it to himself. He understood that inner doubt all too well. He knew she was hiding a part of herself.

    The echoes of the marble halls bounced off each other like a glass ringing. Columns were made of wood from nature nymphs, breathing a soothing quality into the palace. The three could only look at the architecture of the building and stay only on the carpeted path. Small fences barred off certain rooms, like how a casino would to a VIP only room.

    No candle light as this palace had windows of orange glass leaking in sunlight. However, this light turned unsettlingly red, pervasive and dark.

    No guards, no watchmen, not a person aside from themselves. The last time they had seen a person was at the gatehouse. It was starting to freak them out. Florato couldn¡¯t stand it anymore.

    ¡°So! What have you guys heard about this dude? Must be pretty rich or something.¡±

    ¡°Yeah, there¡¯s a reason why they call him King Siliphum.¡± Skaldi stopped to look at a tapestry on the wall, depicting the spirit Silphuos. Of a rainbow of colors, it showed the story of the spirit and the field of Siliphum she had created.

    ¡°Are those all of his fields outside?¡± Florato couldn¡¯t believe that even an Oligarch could own so much land.

    ¡°Technically yeah. Bolato once said that Oligarchs own and rule their cities directly or something.¡± Skaldi replied, keeping his eyes on Vega.

    He saw her enjoying the style of the palace, like she was walking through a museum. Her eyes sat on artwork, on how the building assembled itself, and never seemed to be looking away to talk to the Voice.

    ¡°I haven¡¯t heard much about this guy, but I heard that he¡¯s the youngest Oligarch out there. He¡¯s like a twenty something.¡± Skaldi said, letting go of his gaze on Vega. If he was going to find out what the Voice was saying to her, he¡¯d need to properly prepare, he told himself.

    ¡°Really? I thought it was still his father that was ruling.¡± The actress noticed a line up of statues showing the many previous Oligarchs of Periatus. Instead of standing up like Sanguian type of statues, they all were sitting in a meditative stance holding one hand up. They too had been painted a golden yellow, almost glittering. In fact, they were the few objects that weren¡¯t touched by the crimson light.

    ¡°Hey guys?¡± Vega had finally spoken up since the bridge. ¡°Do ya notice something weird about this place-place?¡±

    ¡°That this guy is really super special awesome and we shouldn¡¯t talk shit?¡± Skaldi immediately projected his voice throughout the palace, trying to make sure Vega didn¡¯t upset the Oligarch or watchmen that could have been there.

    ¡°Well, yes that. But¡­ there isn¡¯t anything related to Recor here?¡±

    ¡°Huh. You¡¯re right¡­¡± Florato agreed, finally accounting for not what was being shown, but what hadn¡¯t been shown.

    Strangely, there were no idols or religious artwork of Recor. Instead, most of it was dedicated to Nemesis. Recor was the lone god to the Iozians, but Nemesis was the strongest spirit. And the sort of opposite to Recor.

    The artwork showing her was abstracted, mainly frescos and sculptures on the walls. Wearing the armor of a centurion, the top half of her head was a steel helmet with a blind eye poking out. Spikes of the type that come from roses grew around her. Her dress was a seductive black and her limbs were long and terrible.

    Are you starting to regret your decision?

    ¡°Nothing to worry about guys¡­¡± Vega felt a twinge of shame, for not taking into account what they might see.

    ¡°There is so much. Too much¡­¡± Florato¡¯s fears started to take a hold of her.

    Nemesis sported fangs that of sabertooths, nails like crow beaks, and silk the color of strangled death. She was shown to be magnificent in her cunning, offering deals and reviewing those that would pledge fealty to her. Demons and their parent devils were depicted.

    On one fresco, she conjured and created dragons that could melt stone with their flames, myrmidons who could cleave men in half and¡­

    ¡°Is there something bothering all of you?¡± A youthful boyish voice echoed, coming from the dark. As they all turned towards the direction, they saw three figures on a staircase, leading up to the rest of the palace.

    A shorter man of peach color, carrying a specter in one hand and grapes in the other. Wearing knee length trousers and a robe draped over his left shoulder, most of his thin body was exposed. His hair sported jewelry and sparkled like blood in light.

    ¡°I hope you don¡¯t mind my Krasue.¡±

    ¡°Your what?¡± Skaldi was unfamiliar with this term, but Vega¡¯s jumping up and down made him feel a tad bit more scared.

    ¡°Krasue? I¡¯ve never met one-one before.¡±

    ¡°Huh, what are they? Are they good?¡± Florato, mistakingly, took her excitement as a sign to relax.

    ¡°Totally! They eat flesh because they¡¯re hungry all the time and don¡¯t get me-me started on the guts!¡±

    ¡°G..guts?¡± Just as soon as Florato finished, the Krasue floated down the staircase, circling high above them.

    Youthful, beautiful women with black hair like night and skin like milk. One distinct problem to the person that might be getting a bit too excited by this image¡­

    ¡°Holy shit! Where the fuck is the rest of their body!?¡± Skaldi gave the most reasonable reaction out of all of them, jumping back out of reflex.

    Floating heads with long hair with their gross organs connected to them. And their mouths craned open like a snake, showing bloody teeth.

    So¡­ not exactly conventional beauty.

    ¡°Holy shit! That¡¯s so cool!¡± Vega gave the least reasonable reaction, leaping up to grab at the organs.

    ¡°...those are real? Right?¡± Florato requested, her forehead turning a violet of fear.

    ¡°Indeed.¡± The Oligarch replied with a smile on his face.

    ¡°.......¡±

    Uhh¡­Florato had fainted, being the sort of middle ground between the two. Vega turned to her and put her arms to her head.

    ¡°Well¡­ that ain¡¯t good.¡±

 Chapter 51: The Oligarch of Periatus

    Chapter 51: The Oligarch of Periatus

    The loathsome brat, the foolish one. The miserly ruler that let everyone drown. The seducer of the people he was taught to protect. The one that forfeited all just for his own pleasure.

    When rulers fail to consider who they rule over, they fail as rulers all together.

    ¡°Is she going to be okay?¡± The Oligarch crouched down beside Vega, as she attempted to wake her up. Skaldi and the Krasue looked on with mild amusement. One of the Krasue seemed a bit sad at the event.

    ¡°Florato! Oh, I¡¯m sorry. I did-didn¡¯t mean for this to happen.¡± Her voice was regretful, pained that she forgot Florato was sensitive to gore.

    To play the Devil¡¯s advocate, you couldn¡¯t have planned for that. Just like you can¡¯t plan for the future.

    Vega kept quiet, shaking the actress periodically in hopes that she could somehow make up this mistake.

    ¡°Mind if I strip her?¡± The boy whispered to Skaldi.

    ¡°Fuck no!¡± Skaldi raised his hand to strike him, but he swiftly put it back down knowing the consequences.

    ¡°Just asking a friend.¡±

    ¡°Who the hell are you? Why the hell did you do that?¡±

    ¡°Oh? Me?¡±

    ¡°Yes¡­you¡­¡±

    Every Oligarch was the same when they read out their title. Clear commanding voice and straightened posture, they became true rulers as they read out what they ruled.

    ¡°Oligarch Huius Noikos Tibato. But please, call me Oligarch Tibato.¡± He bowed forward in Matigas Na Tao fashion, tilting his head to the left and leaving their left eye open. Skaldi couldn¡¯t tell if this was unintentional or that Tibato was insulting him.

    ¡°Well met.¡± Skaldi said through gritted teeth. ¡°Could you please send those things away?¡±

    ¡°No need to be rude elf! They have feelings too. Delicious and sensational feelings.¡±

    ¡°Oh you are so gross!¡± Skaldi turned away, shivering at Tibato¡¯s voice.

    ¡°...huh¡­ what¡­ happened¡­¡±

    ¡°Florato, you¡¯re awake-wake! I¡¯m sorry, and ya might want to keep your eyes closed.¡± Vega slapped her hand over Florato¡¯s eyes in order for her not to faint again.

    ¡°I do like them blindfolded.¡± Tibato sinisterly snickered.

    ¡°Dude! ¡­Shut up!¡± Skaldi yelled at the ground, trying to contain his contempt for Tibato at a minimum.

    ¡°What are you guys shouting about, I remember a distinct faintness in my head.¡± Florato tried to rise but Vega shoved her head back down.

    ¡°Can ya please, like, call them off or something?¡±

    ¡°Well I guess. But where¡¯s the fun in that?¡± Tibato whistled at the two Krasue, which turned to him with drooling mouths. Some of their spit splashed on Vega, but she took it as  mark of respect¡­ for some reason.

    They faded into the columns beside them, and so Vega let her hand off of Florato. The three backed away as Tibato approached one of the statues of the previous Oligarchs of Periatus. He held a hand to his hairless chin and looked at the statue in a particular feeling, as if he were imaging he could do better.

    ¡°You all came here for a reason, did you not?¡±

    ¡°Uh, yes sir-¡±

    ¡°I am not a sir. Oligarch Tibato, you will get that right.¡± He chastised Skaldi, who still had a degree of disgust in him.

    ¡°Oligarch Tibato, we come bringing two things¡­ uh-an object from Core Civitus.¡±

    ¡°It¡¯s a box!¡± Vega announced, quickly digging in out of her jacket.

    ¡°It is indeed a box, yes.¡± The boy Oligarch observed.

    ¡°Meant for a clever person, so, I think-think that might be ya.¡±

    ¡°Oh, you are too kind!¡± He pressed his hands to his cheeks and began to reach down for the box.

    However, the scarecrow backed away.

    ¡°What are you doing?¡±

    ¡°Yeah Vega, what the hell are you doing?¡± Skaldi, being the one wanting to get out of here alive, spoke passive aggressively.

    ¡°I want to ask ya a couple questions¡­¡±

    ¡°Can this not wait, maybe, five minutes?¡± Tibato swayed his hips.

    ¡°We could do that, but I don¡¯t want to-to.¡± Vega spun the box on her finger, while giving brief looks at Skaldi and Florato. Florato more easily held her tongue, but Skaldi took a few moments to compose himself. He knew the reason, he just wished it could have been under different circumstances.

    ¡°...Do you know Kaliber?¡±

    The question shocked the Oligarch, as his eyes rose sky high. He tilted on his leg and scratched his chest, as if recounting the name.

    ¡°No, but I know of her. My father had her over for a visit about¡­ five years back?¡±

    ¡°Five years ago? Are ya sure?¡± Vega stopped spinning the box and fumbled it, managing to catch before it hit the ground.

    ¡°Must have been when the famines started and when those Tripolians started burning our farmlands. Maybe she had something to do with it, ha!¡±

    ¡°I doubt that. But still¡­ anything else-else?¡±

    ¡°Yes-yes my little-¡±

    ¡°Don¡¯t be an ass.¡± Skaldi stepped in, not allowing anymore mistreatment of his friends. ¡°Be efficient, don¡¯t waste our time.¡±

    Tibato glared hot fire at the elf but put on a false smile, one that presented a faint annoyance.

    ¡°She bought three towers here, worked with my father once. He didn¡¯t speak much of her, but Soul Gems came up in the conversation.¡± The boy Oligarch spoke quickly, and recounted the main details he knew. Skaldi was mildly intrigued but focused, while Florato''s eyes casted down.

    Support the creativity of authors by visiting the original site for this novel and more.

    ¡°Soul Gems?¡± The actress asked.

    ¡°Yes, we Oligarchs have quite a lot of them. Most have about a dozen on standby, but for some odd reason, Kaliber seemed to be his sort of¡­ dealer. That is the reason we celebrate Neo Rem Day every month here!¡±

    ¡°Okay!¡± Florato, said excitedly, while the elf considered a different thought.

    Skaldi ruminated on that idea, and how the Tripolians back in Fort Jao were using the process of Gem Harvest. Was it that¡­ Kaliber knew how to? Or that Kaliber stole it from the Galtian tribe? His gaze rested on Vega, who was delighted to be hearing so much about Kaliber, and yet he felt dread. That who Kaliber is or was, would not be the person Vega would quite look up to.

    ¡°Aside from that, she seemed to have disappeared not too long after. Last time I heard of her was four years ago.¡± Tibato finished, turning his head back to the statues of his ancestors. Vega however, held a fist out in front of her, and her face became frustrated. So close to Kaliber, and yet just another end to the trail.

    ¡°Darn. She must have left here.¡±

    ¡°No no no. I said she disappeared. Not left.¡±

    ¡°Why do ya say that-that?¡± Vega questioned, while Tibato smiled genuinely, as if enjoying this subject he would bring up.

    ¡°...Plenty of people disappear because there¡¯s no one to look for them. Some disappear because they want no one to look for them. Some disappear¡­ because they want someone to look for them.¡±

    The idea brewed in her mind. Kaliber¡­ hiding? Why would she hide? And why would she want someone to find her, why not just immediately show herself? Why would she want Vega to search for her? Secrecy, was the word Vega thought up. She prepared her next question.

    ¡°So¡­ ya know nothing about the tower here?¡±

    ¡°Oh! That thing? It just up and left.¡± Tibato blurted out without any sense of class or mystery.

    ¡°¡­really?¡±

    ¡°Not kidding! Just, wooosh, up and gone. Just like her, haha!¡±

    ¡°Right¡­¡± Florato bent toward Vega side, hiding her mouth from him. ¡°I think he might be a little mad¡­¡±

    ¡°I-I don¡¯t think he¡¯s angry.¡±

    ¡°No-I mean he¡¯s¡­ lost it?¡±

    ¡°Lost what-what?¡±

    ¡°Ah, nevermind.¡±

    ¡°Now, are you all done or do we have another matter to discuss?¡±

    ¡°Just a few more¡­ am I magical?¡±

    ¡°Oh boy, here we go.¡± Skaldi couldn¡¯t wait to hear this. That curiosity to how she functioned always bugged him, made him oddly fascinated. Of course this fascination was of a friendly sort and not of the type that alienates others, be he couldn¡¯t deny, he firmly listened to the Oligarch¡¯s words.

    ¡°Hmmmm¡­ in what way?¡±

    ¡°What do ya mean?¡±

    ¡°Yeah, what do you mean?¡± Florato prepared for him to be cruel to her again, but he took on the voice of a historian instead of mockery.

    ¡°There¡¯s the magics from the spirits, ones from our beloved god, spirits, and other sources..and there are the suspected, speculative magics. The magics that are thought to be stolen and used by mortal creatures¡­ which one?¡±

    ¡°Vega hasn¡¯t exactly done anything unlike a spirit. I mean, you hear a voice in your head.¡± Skaldi rested his elbow on her head, causing her to giggle before regaining focus.

    ¡°Yeah-yeah, I do-do that.¡±

    ¡°But she only hears one. Don¡¯t you remember that Tai Pai fairy demon thing a couple months back?¡± Florato took his elbow off of her before crouching beside Vega, recounting the event of the temple back in Vein Xinyuai.

    ¡°You¡¯re right! Most celestials can hear prayers and voices from all over, so I wouldn¡¯t exactly fit-fit.¡±

    ¡°Can¡¯t really comment there, being an elf and all.¡± Skaldi brushed his hair but stopped because Tibato leered at him in a gross manner. ¡°But I do remember what that demon said.¡±

    ¡°That would likely mean your construct friend is something new entirely! I would say it is marvelous, but¡­ she¡¯s just a fucking scarecrow.¡± The boy Oligarch shrugged, being sour to her.

    ¡°Hey! She¡¯s not a scarecrow, she¡¯s the scarecrow.¡± Florato stood proudly, with Skaldi giving a high five. It was really awesome and cool.

    ¡°Yeah, she¡¯s done quite a lot of things. Maybe that¡¯s the reason why you get along with all the magic people and religious folk.¡± Skaldi rubbed her hair, with Vega feeling a tad bit more happy and assured about her place in the world. Maybe things could work out after all.

    ¡°Save me the positivity knife ear. Any man with some gold in his pocket can get along with anyone. Besides, has she even performed any miracles?¡±

    ¡°Uhhh¡­ a nymph kissed me once?¡±

    ¡°No maidens that worship her?¡±

    ¡°I have Florato. She¡¯s a maiden, I think?¡±

    ¡°And have you had anyone or anything that has stuck by you your entire life?¡± Tibato grilled Vega, making her once happy mood fade once again. She knew it couldn¡¯t last, she just wished it wouldn¡¯t have to be this way.

    ¡°Just¡­ tell me. I¡¯d¡­ think¡­ ya would know.¡±

    ¡°Ha¡­ well¡­ you¡¯re not any spirit, any nymph, any fairy or any creature that I would know. And I¡¯m well versed on the subject.¡±

    This, despite being the truth, was not what Vega was hoping for. Not being that it was mean, not because it made her feel mundane or unwanted, though it did. It was because this was everything she had come to expect.

    Being an unknown, being something that could not be reached. Like earth and moon, they could only be together briefly.

    Something untouchable. Something nameless. Something that couldn¡¯t be understood.

    ¡°Is there anything else you wish to discuss?¡±

    ¡°No.¡± Vega handed the box off to Tibato, as he snatched it from her hand. Chuckling and juggling the box in his hands, he turned to them in a flamboyant twist.

    ¡°Ah, it is nice to have it in my hands. You know, Oligarch Faitos complained when I kicked him out of Sky, but it was worth the insult. Finally!¡±

    ¡°Who is Faitos?¡± Skaldi suspected something was very wrong.

    ¡°Yes, he should probably be gambling back in Rock-oh what am I saying, you all can leave now!¡±

    ¡°Wait, we still need to-¡± Florato took out a couple of the scrolls Amir and Valiato translated.

    ¡°Need to what? Come on, I have to go see my wife! She gets very grumpy when I don¡¯t go to her at this hour.¡±

    ¡°Your wife can wait, right now-if you don¡¯t listen to us, everyone in Uvi Jantok is going to die!¡± Skaldi couldn¡¯t take it any longer, shaking his fist just a few inches from Tibato¡¯s face, which caused the boy Oligarch some brief pause.

    ¡°Now ho-¡±

    ¡°You hold on!¡± Skaldi interrupted, opening a scroll depicting a battle map. ¡°Over the last three months, my friends have been taking care of your mess. So now, we come to you with a golden opportunity. All of their plans, tactics, an entire operation before you! So please, for the love of whatever god you worship, do something! Be the ruler people need you to be.¡±

    Skaldi heaved readily, hoping that his emotional ranting would spur some mechanism in Tibato¡¯s head to act. To do good.

    Instead, the Oligarch laughed in the elf¡¯s face. And smiled a cruel smile, raising the sides of the lips and showing terrible teeth.

    ¡°Haha! You act like I aim to do something about it.¡±

    ¡°¡­uhhh¡± Florato backed up.

    ¡°What?¡± Skaldi was shocked. Never did he expect that type of response.

    ¡°If you thought I¡¯d care about those, vermin, those ghosts outside Sky, then you must be poorly mistaken. But I will grant you this, you are the most impressive set of tarangs I¡¯ve ever seen.¡±

    ¡°Ya¡­ aren¡¯t going to do anything?¡±

    ¡°Why would I? Everything I ever wanted is already here! Plus, my father was one for the military, those other Oligarchs are, but I¡¯m in it for the fun! Besides¡­ I have a date to catch.¡±

    All three were left in bitter silence. All their hard work and pains, simply tossed away like trash.

    Vega felt something in her chest. A new feeling, perhaps a finally one. Not happiness, anger, fear, or sadness, no.

    The scarecrow had a sour disgust in her.

    Sometimes, things don¡¯t work out. But remember this bit of advice. Change the plan, not its goal. Haha!

 Chapter 52: Oh God Oh Shit Oh Fuck!

    Chapter 52: Oh God Oh Shit Oh Fuck!

    I hope we can all be mature enough and not be rude. But we can all collectively say¡­ I told you so!

    ¡°What do you mean he just¡­ sent you out!?¡± Bolato exclaimed, much to the amusement of Amir, who had rarely seen the soldier in such bitter spirits.

    ¡°He didn¡¯t care! Skaldi showed him the battle plans, and the fucker didn¡¯t care! He was ¡®in it for the fun¡¯. God¡­ and he was such a prick too.¡± Florato paced back and forth while Skaldi held close on Bolato¡¯s arm. This was not a comforting thought, that the one chance of things finally going., the ruler that was meant to protect them, essentially said ¡®Who cares¡¯.

    The mood was notably dour, not even Vega could muster up some silly line.

    ¡°Are they always like this?¡± Well, except for Sorbet, she had for the entire time been exploring the room she was in. She had never seen poor people before, so it was an interesting experience. She briefly wondered what poor people tasted like.

    ¡°No-no Sorbet, they aren¡¯t always like that-that.¡±

    ¡°Oh. Well I hope they feel better.¡±

    ¡°Is this a joke to you?¡± Bolato stomped right up towards Sorbet, to which he had yet to even be introduced to.

    ¡°No? I would be laughing or not fearing for my death now.¡±

    ¡°Gahh¡­¡± The soldier threw his hand up and walked away. Out of options, out of exits, and out of hope.

    ¡°Maybe¡­ we could get the help of the mermaids or something?¡± Valiato offered an idea, but a look from both Skaldi and Florato shot it down.

    ¡°Sweet pea, that¡¯s a good thought, but that wouldn¡¯t solve the problem.¡± Skaldi let go of Bolato and knelt down beside the kid and brushed her cheek with his thumb. He spoke sweetly, trying to sooth her mood.

    ¡°We don¡¯t need to escape. We need to save these people.¡± Bolato¡¯s words set the tone for the rest of the party.

    They weren¡¯t in it for the money now, they were in it for survival. Starting then, each member began to go on about some grievance.

    ¡°What the hell are we going to do!¡± Skaldi started, setting off a chain of events that would lead to¡­ something different..

    ¡°We just need¡­ we just need to get Det! He was that leader back in Fort Jao!¡± Florato announced, with a bit of sweat on her brow. ¡°Maybe we just need to tell him that-¡±

    ¡°That¡¯s fucking stupid.¡± Bolato shut it down in a way he hadn¡¯t before. Holding his head with his hand, he shook his head as he spoke. ¡°We are stuck in here and any ship that leaves barely makes it out alive.¡±

    ¡°Ska, are we gonna be okay?¡± Valiato walked up to the elf, who could only offer a pained expression on his face. Everyone started to bicker. To fight. Only Sorbet and Vega were alone, out of it. The scarecrow backed away and curled herself into a ball.

    ¡°We¡¯ll find a-a way. We¡¯ll always find-find a way.¡±

    Sure you have. Not like you¡¯ve relied on other people doing most of the work. Just like those warrior prostitutes and those helpful mermaids.

    Vega didn¡¯t even bother to answer. She was too afraid. Everyone had begun to argue, on what went wrong, who did what. Vega didn¡¯t join in.

    What, finally given up? No more words to stutter out?

    Most of them failed to see it, as they were too busy pointing fingers and trying to manage their worry. What they failed to see, that as the scarecrow clenched her fist, the Soul Gem beside her started to glow a pale light.

    Was that speech you gave Runtaii and Sabere all for nothing?

    The jar beamed streaks of green. A light. A moonlight. A moonlight grew brighter as her anger grew.

    Come on! I thought you were-

    ¡°ENOUGH! I am tired of us fighting!¡± Vega commanded with dramatic projection. Everyone turned towards Vega, most surprised by her powerful and attention drawing voice. ¡°We are not going to get-get anywhere by yelling at each other! I did not travel half a continent, an entire sea-sea, and fought multiple bad-bad guys only to see my friends turn on each other!¡±

    Everyone was dumbfounded, but Skaldi was the one to try to approach her first.

    ¡°Vega, I-¡±

    ¡°No, ya are gonna listen! I have fought too hard¡­ and¡­ hurt-hurt too much¡­ to lose now! Ya guys are stronger, smarter, and far kinder than this Oligarch guy-guy! We need to come together, not fall apart now! No steel, no fire, no army is gonna stop us! United we have a chance, divided we are doomed¡­¡±

    Everyone held silent, admiring something majestic. No, magical.

    ¡°Together we are-are what we aren¡¯t alone. So long as we have the will to fight, we will win!¡± The scarecrow raised her fist high, hoping for a rousing hooray, like the ones seen in comic books.

    They¡­ weren¡¯t looking at Vega¡­

    You could be reading stolen content. Head to the original site for the genuine story.

    They were looking beside her. Vega, curious to see what broke their attention, looked as well. Puffs of hay floated in the air, along with the petals of roses and violet.

    On the ground was pitchfork!

    Well, it was a pitchfork that hadn¡¯t been there uhh¡­ a second ago?

    While everyone was in awe at what was happening, Vega immediately panicked and jumped into Florato¡¯s arms.

    ¡°Ah! A pitchfork, please don¡¯t kill-kill me! I¡¯m too young to die!¡±

    ¡°Calm down! By the way, nice speech there.¡± The actress complimented.

    ¡°Thanks I made it mysel-can ya get me away from that thing! Please-please!¡± Vega turned her head away from it as Bolato proceeded to pull it out of the ground while Skaldi analyzed the tool. Not out of the ordinary beyond the fact it was summoned into existence.

    Amir and Valiato instead walked up to Sorbet, who was holding the still glowing  Soul Gem. They were both perplexed seeing that it was a makeup jar with gemstones on it. After a few moments the pale light faded and she seemed mildly amused.

    ¡°Huh, never saw that happen before.¡±

    ¡°~How the fuck did you get your hands on a Soul Gem sodomite?~¡±

    ¡°~Ari! You¡¯re cursing!~¡±

    ¡°~I don¡¯t care, ask the question kid!~¡±

    ¡°Sorry for Ari, he¡¯s uhhh¡­ anyway, can you tell us you got that Soul Gem.¡± Valiato pleaded, tugging on Sorbet¡¯s hand to see it properly.

    ¡°I stole it!¡± She answered cheerfully, jumping up and down.

    ¡°~She stole it.~¡±

    ¡°~She? She did? Huh, clever girl!~¡± Amir was so impressed with the fact that he excused the awkward questions around Sorbet, much to her delight and convenience.

    ¡°Did¡­ she actually¡­¡± Skaldi couldn¡¯t believe it, even though it happened in front of his eyes. Everyone was kinda losing their shit, well, for reasonable circumstances.

    Never, and I mean never, had such a thing happened with Vega. Never had her emotions reached such a crescendo that it would¡­ do something magical!

    And before any of you accuse me of saying magic doesn¡¯t exist for mere mortals, then remember how it was the Soul gem did all the fucking work! All the glowing shit and all that?

    One more thing¡­ Vega, as you can already tell, has more to her than meets the eye.

    Skaldi already knew that but this just confirmed it. Looking at Vega with a mix of awe. It was truly amazing, no doubt about it. Sure, it was only a pitchfork and there was certainly no explosion. Yet making a pitchfork appearing out of nowhere was a real feat.

    However, a new creeping doubt joined him, adding onto to his suspicions he got during the trip into Jantok Sky. He knew that the Voice had been attacking her constantly, but for what reason and under what terms?

    What¡­what if the Voice had something planned for her?

    ¡°Is the pitchfork gone-gone!?¡±

    On second thought¡­ maybe not.

    ¡°Yes Vega, it¡¯s gone. Calm down-I¡¯ve heard you scream that loud. Ha!¡± Florato too was floored, more by Vega¡¯s heartwarming speech. ¡°Are you alright? Sorry if we were fighting too much¡­¡±

    ¡°Me too. Damn it.¡± Bolato walked up to them both. ¡°Sorry if I was an asshole there, its just¡­ I have no clue how to get out of this one.¡±

    ¡°I get that-that, but¡­ that doesn¡¯t justify you guys being mean to each other. We¡¯ll find a way. If not-not¡­ I¡¯ll find a way.¡± She said, grabbing one of the rose petals that had spawned along with the pitchfork.

    ¡°~I thought only certain spirits could use Soul Gems.~¡± Amir''s calm and lightly concerned voice brought their attention back to what Vega had did.

    Using a Soul Gem on her own.

    ¡°Yeah, Air is right. Maybe we¡¯re both not quite remembering it right, but don¡¯t you need a Nymph or someone to do the thing Vega did?¡± Valiato looked at Skaldi, who often gave a shrug in response.

    ¡°Sweetpea, I think you¡¯re asking the wrong guy.¡±

    ¡°Actually, I think-think I can answer that.¡± Vega raised her hand up. ¡°Technically, only celestial stuff-stuff can use Soul Gems. But also technically, Oligarchs can too, since they often represent and worship spirits. If a ruler is powerful enough, or any person has a dying wish-wish, then they can do¡­ what I did.¡±

    After Valiato finished translating, Amir nodded his head in agreement, pulling out his journal and handing it back to his daughter.

    ¡°Huh. Amir wrote down other stuff that¡¯s like that. Mostly dead people making Soul Gems, but some Patriarchs could. However they still needed help from celestial folk.¡±

    ¡°She¡¯s right, you know.¡± Sorbet finally joined in, spinning the Soul Gem on her finger. ¡°People would still need a little help doing it. I remember back when Naius still ruled, he had to consult a fairy once in a while. B-but then again, he never bothered me on the subject.¡±

    ¡°Why not?¡± Skaldi questioned, trying to grab the Soul Gem of which Sorbet held close to her chest.

    ¡°Well, I wasn¡¯t exactly¡­ his type? Is that how you say it Vega?¡±

    ¡°If you mean he wouldn¡¯t fuck-fuck ya, then yes!¡±

    ¡°Y-yeah. What she said.¡±

    ¡°So, if someone normally needs help from a celestial, that means¡­¡± Valiato came to the conclusion that everyone had been getting to.

    ¡°Vega. You used a Soul Gem all by yourself.¡± And Florato put into terms that the scarecrow could clearly understand.

    ¡°Yes-yes?¡±

    ¡°And yet you don¡¯t have the abilities of any magic thing before.¡± Florato continued.

    ¡°Along with Tibato saying that you¡¯re¡­  something entirely new.¡± Skaldi added, wondering what power Vega truly holds.

    ¡°Vega, I think¡­ I think ya are incredible.¡± Florato spoke, as a friend appreciating another, not for their accomplishments, but for their potential.

    ¡°Aww! Stop it!¡±

    ¡°~Please do stop~.¡± Amir crossed his arms, disappointed that this discussion had been going on for so long. He could tell exactly what Vega was saying since her voice became all cheery again. If he could read any Iozian¡¯s words, it would definitely be Vega¡¯s.

    ¡°Bolato! I think we got an idea. A-a chance!¡± Skaldi tried to shake the solder, but he ended up just shaking himself against him.

    ¡°How? And I really mean that, how?¡±

    ¡°We still have time before the Tripolians get here. And we know the layout of Jantok Sky, right?¡±

    ¡°Yep! Plus I can show you guys where to go into the palace.¡± Sorbet spoke, as they all turned back towards her. The sudden staring made her a bit more shy. ¡°W-well, I mean like make a map for you guys-I don¡¯t know.¡±

    ¡°Good! That¡¯s good. And we¡¯d need Vega to¡­¡± Skaldi halted, trying to think up a way of how Vega could aid them. But Bolato put a finger on his lips.

    ¡°Hey. We don¡¯t need to figure it all out now.¡± The soldier''s composed and strong voice came back to him. ¡°But we got an idea. We still got the battle plans. And we still got a chance. All we need to do is-¡±

    Knock knock.

    Silent. They all went silent. The knocks came from outside the door. No one knew that they were there, right? Except¡­ for maybe the Assassin.

    Bolato knocked on his head twice, and Amir went over to the wagon and tossed him a sword and buckler. He would have given him his rectangular shield, but that would be far too noisy. Skaldi and Florato stood in front of Valiato while she peered between their legs. Sorbet hid the Soul Gem in her dress as she too walked beside the elf.

    Bolato, Amir, and Vega stepped quietly to the door. The Tripolian nodded towards her, as Vega reached out for the door, pickaxe in hand. She gently opened the door and¡­

    ¡°Hello? Who is in there?¡± A blonde haired middle aged man stood outside. His eyelashes were even, so Bolato decided to lay down his weapons.

    ¡°Yes sir?¡±

    ¡°Hello yes, you wouldn¡¯t happen to have an object for an Oligarch, would you?¡±

    ¡°No-no?¡± Vega answered and tilted her head at him. How did he know about the box, she thought. ¡°Who are ya?¡±

    ¡°Oh! My apologies. I am Oligarch Beo Fawx Glatrix. But please¡­ call me Oligarch Glatrix.¡±

 Chapter 53: The Three Oligarchs (Part 1!)

    Chapter 53: The Three Oligarchs (Part 1!)

    What should one do if you are exiled out of paradise? Panic? Weep because your failures led you to your denial?

    No silly! Make friends with some devils!

    ¡°Oligarch Glatrix¡­ at our door?¡± Vega shook herself laughing. Things were finally looking up.

    Then she suddenly realized she didn¡¯t have any fucking clue who he was and she stopped laughing.

    ¡°Right¡­ it¡¯s not only me, but a few of our colleagues. And body guards so don¡¯t you fools try anything.¡± Glatrix pushed her aside as a line of soldiers dressed in large bronze helmets, making them resemble golden beetles.

    The party stepped aside as they noted the none soldiers there, that being a couple scholars, a few tacticians, along with two Tripolian translators which Amir nodded approvingly at. He was still careful not to reveal Valiato¡¯s scar but he seemed at ease at the event.

    The scarecrow wasn¡¯t.

    Glatrix lied as it was a fuck ton of people going inside.

    Skaldi backed away the furthest, sadly reminded of his few battles with Iozians and how troubling they were. But as he saw Bolato¡¯s face look reassured, the elf stopped and observed their breaking in.

    ¡°Do people break into houses normally?¡± Sorbet asked Valiato, who giggled lightly.

    ¡°I hope not!¡±

    ¡°Come on-on! More people here? Ya could have at least asked.¡± Vega waved her arms up at Glatrix. The light shined on his combed hair and beard, making him look like an octopus that recently came out of water. He chewed on his mustache a bit and whistled to his back.

    Two more men arrived, and instead of being subordinates, they seemed to be on equal standing with the Oligarch.

    His outfit was a great white dress, affixed with blue and yellow bands forming a pattern. His eyes buried underneath a layer of wrinkles and scars made him ancient. And his skin was a black gray, the type of color you see on clouds at night.

    ¡°Oligarch Kani Faitos Ruto. If you¡¯d prefer it, Ruto is fine.¡± His voice was soft and slow, like a grandfather enjoying the company of his grandchildren. And yet he moved quite fast and his teeth were a gleaming white.

    The third was¡­ not so pleasant.

    His eight legs pranced forward, as his six eyes flared blue to green. Those same six kept eyes on the party but he kept an extra one on Vega. About the size of a dog, he climbed on top of the side of Glatrix. His chittering fangs and motions looked like he was whispering.

    ¡°Ol-igarch Ro-ka. On-ly th-at.¡± Sounding like his words were separated by pause, Roka¡¯s eyes and speech made him out to be quite intelligent. But the party¡¯s thoughts were not on his size or intellect, but of¡­ how he¡¯d rule anything?

    ¡°Great¡­ I don¡¯t suppose ya have stuff to ask-ask us right-right?¡± Vega didn¡¯t enjoy the people. Not that she hated them, but this was Kaliber¡¯s space. And she wished it could remain like that.

    ¡°Indeed. Would you mind?¡±

    ¡°...I would-would.¡±

    Laying out the battle plans clearly, the party mostly sat beside the wagon, exchanging light conversation. The tacticians took Amir¡¯s timing of the Operation very seriously, since he was the only Tripolian that could be consulted on the matter. At the center of the room, the Oligarchs and their teams brought in furniture, the one kind thing that had been done for the party.

    Blinding light fixtures and the sound of people moving gear and shuffling was ever present, annoying Vega very much but making the rest of the team at ease.

    Glatrix led the discussion of the papers, chuckling when he saw good news and grinding his teeth when he saw bad news. There wasn¡¯t much good news.

    Skaldi and Florato whispered closely to one another, wondering when they should ask Vega on how she used the Soul Gem. But wishing not for the information to fall in the hands of the Oligarchs, they kept quiet along with the rest of the team. Skaldi was a little annoyed, not only because he had to deal with Tibato not a couple hours earlier, but by the fact that Vega''s magical abilities could not be properly questioned.

    The eeriness of Kaliber¡¯s tower did not lessen for Vega, she only felt more irritated. She couldn¡¯t wait for this to be over. Hated that this was happening. This wasn¡¯t how it''s supposed to be, Vega thought.

    What? Did you expect them to bring cake and cookies?

    ¡°Are ya guys done yet-yet?¡± She started to kick the wagon, like an upset kid. Briefly, she had thought of showing her Oligarch badge, perhaps that would make them reconsider how they conducted themselves around her.

    Maybe then, they start to treat her and her friends with respect. But then again, just because people respect you doesn¡¯t mean they¡¯ll listen to you. Feeling the badge in her chest, Vega touched it with her thumb before slamming her fist into the wagon. Ruto turned to her in a diplomatic fashion.

    ¡°Sorry, Glatrix is about to finish. It¡¯s quite a lot of plans you have here? Where did you get them?¡±

    The author''s content has been appropriated; report any instances of this story on Amazon.

    ¡°We stole them¡­ you can thank us anyway you¡¯d like. Gold, weaponry, real estate.¡± Skaldi laid his back on the ground and kicked up his feet on one of the chairs.

    ¡°Re-wards wi-ll be gi-ven if we su-rvive.¡±

    ¡°Yeah¡­ great¡­¡± Florato rolled her eyes. Even if they were helping them, they certainly didn¡¯t acknowledge all of their hard work. Ruto tried but only mildly.

    ¡°Good. Very good¡­ Alright! We can begin.¡± Glatrix stroked his beard, holding his head up high as he circled around the room. Multiple writers took out their pens and prepared. Kuto took out a sheet himself and decided to sit next to Amir, which caused the Tripolian to scoot over a bit.

    ¡°First question, to what degree were you able to enter into the palace? What were you allowed to see?¡±

    ¡°Not much. We saw the part with all the statues and Nemesis artwork but nothing else.¡± Florato told. Skaldi and Vega nodded their heads to it, which made Glatrix shake his head.

    ¡°I checked out and saw some ruin-ruins, but not unless beside that.¡±

    ¡°Me and Florato here checked Jantok Sky out. It sucked, because of a lack of alcohol. And also she said something about the people looking alike or something. I don¡¯t know.¡± As Skaldi finished, Glatrix shook his head further still, grabbing his chin in frustration.

    ¡°Damn! Still nothing.¡±

    ¡°It st-ill te-lls us th-at pe-ople ca-n ge-t in-side.¡±

    ¡°You don¡¯t think they can¡­ hmmm¡­ later.¡± Glatrix took a glance at Vega¡¯s guitar but swiftly moved onto the next question.

    ¡°I could probably give you guys a layout¡­¡± Sorbet raised her hand.

    ¡°You¡­ you know the layout of the palace?¡± Glatrix said in a way that could be interpreted as either relieved or ready to kill some one.

    ¡°W-why does everyone stare at me when I say? But yeah, I could probably do that right now.¡±

    ¡°Please do!¡± Glatrix flourished with his hands as Sorbet walked over, along with the party wanting to see how much there truly was.

    Illustrating quite well, Sorbet revealed to them that the palace had a series of underground complexes, noted down as levels. Level zero was the main palace where the Vega had been previously. Level one showed a series of service tunnels and rooms meant for heating.

    Level two was where it started to get creepy, as multiple chambers were labeled as ¡®worship rooms¡¯ and ¡®libraries¡¯. Sorbet mentioned that many of the spirits that the previous Oligarchs¡­ ¡®enjoyed¡¯ were often in these rooms. Up to interpretation, once again. Skaldi and Florato suspected that they weren¡¯t as they were labeled.

    And the final level, which featured no mapping, was labeled ¡®The Lai Bank¡¯.

    ¡°The Lai family are the only ones allowed in and out of Jantok Sky, aside from the watchmen.¡± Glatrix explained. ¡°We¡¯ve been trying to contact them about working out a deal, but they won¡¯t hear it.¡±

    ¡°Yeah, because you guys obviously run this place-place.¡± Vega muttered angrily to herself.

    ¡°Why not? Don¡¯t they have to listen to you?¡± Bolato asked, surprised that even a family as powerful as the Lais didn¡¯t take orders from Oligarchs.

    ¡°Tibato has locked us out of where they live, the Cloud district.¡±

    ¡°I see.¡± Skaldi squinted at Glatrix, knowing where this conversation was going. ¡°I love work, I can sit and watch it all day.¡±

    ¡°Ha! Calm yourself elf. There¡¯s plenty of work left for all of us. As for the second question, do any of you have any experience with stealth based operations?¡±

    ¡°Goddamn, yeah! We all do.¡± Skaldi jumped up and shrugged at them all. ¡°Just when I think someone else can do the job!¡±

    ¡°Excuse me?¡± Glatrix marched up to Skaldi before Ruto and Florato put themselves between them. Amir and Sorbet laughed, seemingly agreeing on the absurdity of the situation. They should be allies in this dire situation, and yet the wish to have petty fights and complaints. Not that they aren¡¯t warranted, but that they should be dealt with after the threat to their lives is over.

    ¡°Apologies friends, perhaps we should¡­ explain some things?¡± Ruto held out his hands in a friendly manner, while Roka whispered again in Glatrix¡¯s ear.

    ¡°Sure-sure. I¡¯d like to know what ya guys have in store.¡±

    ¡°Understood. We three Oligarchs have been exiled from Jantok Rock.¡±

    ¡°Really? Tibato did that to you?¡± Bolato questioned, seeing as their number should over power the lone boy Oligarch.

    ¡°Seeing that the raids and the Tripolians were entering through the border, we all fled it best that we organize plans here, seeing that Uvi Jantok is the city with the strongest navy asides than Core Civitus.¡±

    ¡°Aren¡¯t you Oligarchs? I thought you had thousands of men at your command at all times?¡± Skaldi pointed right at Glatrix, making him scowl and turn away.

    ¡°Well, we are plebeian Oligarchs. Our responsibilities are low¡­ but also our resources.¡± Ruto bowed his head in a faint shame.

    ¡°Ru-to an-d I ru-n ci-ties wh-ile Gl-atrix ru-ns a sm-all pr-ovince in th-e we-st.¡±

    ¡°Yes, we only have a hundred troops here with us while Glatrix has two hundred alone. It¡¯s nothing minuscule, but compared to the estimated invasion force of the battle plans that you have shown us, it''s like comparing a rock to a mountain.¡± As Ruto finished, Skaldi stepped towards while Vega joined closely behind.

    ¡°Ah, that means you don¡¯t have enough guys or resources, and Tibato is the only one who has all of that¡­ great¡­¡±

    ¡°Not all is lost.¡± Glatrix kept his distance, keeping eyes closed but projecting his voice far. ¡°Your work¡­ has been illuminating. However, we need help of a special variety.¡±

    ¡°What? Can¡¯t order some thugs off the street?¡± Skaldi brushed his hair with his thumb, in the sasiest fashion he could.

    ¡°He-he¡¯s got a point.¡±

    ¡°Watchmen don¡¯t let us near the Cloud district. And those thugs are too dull or skilled to do the jobs we need to be done.¡±

    ¡°I think that¡¯s the closest thing we¡¯ve gotten to a compliment.¡± Florato said to Valiato, who snickered in response.

    ¡°How? We¡¯d stick out a lot, aren¡¯t on good terms with Tibato, and you guys barging in has made us pretty known.¡± Skaldi threw his hair back, covering Vega¡¯s face.

    ¡°Oh, how should I rephrase this¡­ You would be breaking in? Is that the right term?¡± Glatrix put the tips of his fingers together, making a triangle shape with his hands.

    ¡°If ya-ya mean risking our lives for rich folk who don¡¯t give a crap about us, then yes-yes.¡±

    ¡°You know it¡¯s more about the people of Uvi Jantok.¡± Bolato kicked her foot, causing her to reflect and be slightly less bitter.

    Why now, why now did her desire to help others be accosted, Vega pleaded. What operation of hatred and exhaustion had grown too strong for her to bear.

    ¡°I know¡­ I know¡­¡±

    Do you? Or do you have more at stake than anyone here?

 Chapter 53: The Three Oligarchs (Part 2!)

    Chapter 53: The Three Oligarchs (Part 2!)

    ¡°You will be rewarded with the highest honors we can bestow, seeing as you all are very different and have a versatile skill set. You stealing the Tripolian plans is proof enough.¡± Ruto addressed every member of the party except Sorbet and Kaliba, who was resting on top of Sorbet.

    ¡°How did ya guys even know we were here-here?¡±

    ¡°It was a couple things really. One, we always interview people after they go into Jantok Sky. You¡¯re the only ones that have gone into the palace as of recent. Second, and I need you to be honest with me, you suddenly appeared here without a boat.¡±

    ¡°Well¡­ we had a boat but a problem occurred with that.¡± Bolato scratched his head and his eyes went all sad.

    ¡°What would that be?¡±

    ¡°A weight loss-loss program.¡±

    ¡°It was a bomb.¡± Valiato corrected.

    ¡°Understood¡­¡± Glatrix stepped in front of Ruto and slowly approached Vega. ¡°Finally, and¡­ this is the least pleasant for me to admit¡­ you¡¯re the only ones that have opened a tower made by Kaliber.¡±

    ¡°What?¡± Everyone blurted out. Everyone except the scarecrow herself.

    ¡°I don¡¯t get it. Ya just push it open, it''s that simple.¡±

    ¡°Y-you don¡¯t understand.¡± Ruto said, all exasperated. ¡°We tried drilling, breaking-¡±

    ¡°Ev-en tr-ied bo-mbing it on-ce.¡± They soldiers all around started groaning and complaining simultaneously about the bomb attempt. ¡°It di-dn¡¯t wo-rk.¡±

    ¡°Yes, and none of them worked.¡± Glatrix bent down to Vega¡¯s eye level, and looked at her like he was admiring a tool. ¡°Until, you came along¡­¡±

    Everyone really wants a piece of you! Well, not the personality part, but who cares about that?

    ¡°What we need you to do is a couple things-¡± Ruto began to explain.

    ¡°Here we go.¡± Skaldi rolled his eyes.

    ¡°Don¡¯t you mean ¡®here we go again¡¯?¡± Florato joined in. Sorbet saw this and tried to mimic it but fumbled.

    ¡°It isn¡¯t a lot. Dare I say, with the aid we¡¯re providing you and the benefits, we offering you the deal of a lifetime.¡± Glatrix turned to them both, with his mustache flaring like a porcupine.

    ¡°Are you guys and Tibato related or something, because I¡¯m starting to see some similarities?¡± Sorbet muttered to herself.

    ¡°We need a payload of black powder. Take it from any gangsters, but make sure it¡¯s discreet.¡±

    ¡°That¡¯s a not very discreet duty your asking us. And we¡¯re not exactly stuffed with gold.¡± Bolato replied and put a hand and Vega¡¯s mouth before she¡¯d correct him. ¡°How¡¯d you expect us to source that?¡±

    ¡°It¡¯s actually quite easy. There are gangs that manage small black powder operations underneath the city. Watchmen don¡¯t typically head underground since it''s all dark, so it''s normal guards that have to deal with them. Either try to pose as a bandit or follow some guards. Get enough to fill ten carts. As for cash, Roka can handle that.¡± Ruto gestured toward the Oligarch as he did his best version of a bow.

    ¡°Okay, I like that. What else would you have us do?¡± Bolato requested, pleased by the clear directions and support.

    ¡°This is also close to the black powder, but we¡¯re going to need gangsters helping us out. We don¡¯t care who, but make sure there are a ton of them. A hundred men strong will be good, more is even better. Don¡¯t worry about equipment, we can get that too.¡±

    ¡°Hmm.¡± Skaldi was starting to like the sound of it. Sure, it would involve their lives being threatened again, but that was an almost daily occurrence.

    Vega however, started to feel off. As the details piled on, she felt¡­ like a pawn. She wasn¡¯t helping them, she was being used. Like a tool.

    ¡°A question, are any of you skilled in music or acting?¡±

    ¡°I played a tornado once. That was pretty cool-cool.¡± Vega''s own reminiscing was still sour, as she eyed Glatrix with a mean spite.

    ¡°Actually yeah. I¡¯ve done plenty of productions, why do you ask?¡± Florato raised her brow and smiled, feeling like she¡¯d be of some use.

    ¡°If everything goes well, we''ll need you for the final part.¡± Ruto smiled sweetly, as if promising this task for her. ¡°We¡¯ll need more details on the Lai bank, so if one of you could get some information out of the family, it would be crucial.¡±

    ¡°How would we do that?¡± Skaldi hoped that Ruto would provide a guide. ¡°Why would you even need to go into the Lai bank?¡±

    ¡°Unfortunately we have nothing besides that they live in the Cloud district, north east of here. As for the Lai bank itself¡­ we can deal with that later.¡±

    ¡°And finally¡­ the last part involves you¡­¡± Glatrix laid a hand on Vega¡¯s shoulder and her annoyed mood slowly shifted back into anger.

    Taken from Royal Road, this narrative should be reported if found on Amazon.

    ¡°What-what is it?¡±

    ¡°This tower¡­ I assume you know who it belonged to, seeing your reaction from earlier.¡±

    My, he is pleasant, isn¡¯t he?

    ¡°Yeah I know-know. So?¡±

    ¡°We need you to open up the second one. So we can see use¡­ it contents.¡±

    Oh¡­ I wonder where this will go?

    Her soul couldn¡¯t take it. But why? She had followed orders from people before, so now she wondered. She felt a great hatred, a venomous spite, for Glatrix. But for what reason, for what purpose?

    Next to Sorbet, the Soul Gem started to glow once more.

    Come on! You know you want to hurt him¡­

    ¡°Hold on. I think you guys shouldn¡¯t do that.¡± Florato moved beside the two, noticing how upset Vega was.

    ¡°Why not? We know Kaliber was in contact with the previous Oligarch, the tower could have some crucial details. Some¡­ weapons or such¡­ Soul gems perhaps¡­¡±

    ¡°Still, you don¡¯t know what Kaliber¡­ means to her.¡± Skaldi joined her.

    ¡°Means? What does it matter? She¡¯s just a construct.¡±

    She squeezed her fist hard, like she was trying to squeeze his throat or heart.

    It would be so easy. So good. Who would care anyway?

    ¡°You shut your mouth.¡± Bolato put himself directly in front of Vega, but she didn¡¯t notice. ¡°She¡¯s dealing with a lot right now, and I think she should explore the tower on her own terms.¡±

    ¡°Really? Striker brother, you should understand what could be in there.¡± Glatrix tried to appeal to him, but Bolato shook his head.

    ¡°That doesn¡¯t matter¡­¡± Valiato joined Skaldi¡¯s side, holding her fist high. ¡°Vega¡¯s fought tooth and nail in search of Kaliber.¡±

    ¡°She even owns the deeds to the properties.¡± Florato added on.

    ¡°Got it from the Nymph Yukos!¡± Bolato pressed a finger on his Mermaid badge, which caused many of the soldiers and men to shake their heads and consider their side. Even Roka had hopped onto Ruto¡¯s shoulder and began to reconsider their approach.

    ¡°Enough! It is irrelevant, since I am an Oligarch.¡± Glatrix addressed the whole room, his beard shaking as he spoke.

    Amir, who had been observing and had the conversation translated to him the entire time, stomped his way slowly towards Glatrix, with Sorbet following in his footsteps, figuratively and literally.

    Glatrix was infuriated and went to met the Tripolian but Sorbet got in his way. Her sparkling eyes made him reconsider his action.

    ¡°You know¡­ I haven¡¯t experienced much in this life.¡± The ice cream lady held her hand before her eyes. ¡°But, Vega is pretty nice. Probably one of the nicest people I¡¯ve ever met. I¡¯ve known Oligarchs in my time, but no matter what, good Oligarchs aim to respect the rights of those they rule over. If they don¡¯t¡­ if you don¡¯t¡­ you¡¯re no better than Tibato!¡± Sorbet composed herself quite well, moving both the soldiers and the two other Oligarchs.

    And finally¡­ Amir went to oppose Glatrix.

    ¡°~This¡­ Vega is odd. She is different in ways I cannot comprehend. And she annoys me so often¡­~¡± Amir paused, giving Valiato and Florato a soft look, and giving Vega a caring one.

    ¡°~And yet¡­ she is kind. She doesn¡¯t like to hurt or be hurt. And yet, despite this, she has aided everyone she has met so far. She has shown great kindness to my daughter, displayed incredible bravery on the field, and gone beyond most mortal men. And certainly accomplished more in her time with us than you have in your entire life. She has earned Kaliber and whatever secrets she holds. Your claim is forfeit on the grounds of heroism.~¡± The moment Amir finished, the translators finished relaying the words to Glatrix as well, leaving him bitter and upset.

    ¡°If¡­ you dare defy me¡­ I¡¯ll-¡±

    ¡°Hold on-on.¡± Vega¡¯s voice put everyone in silence. The team were surprised seeing that Vega was going to agree with their terms. Florato had a pained look on her face, saddened that Vega wasn¡¯t going to fight for herself.

    ¡°Oh! So now you wish to spea-¡±

    ¡°I¡¯ll work with ya. On two conditions.¡± Again, stunning the party. Florato¡¯s expression changed to confused. What was she going to request, she though.

    ¡°Conditions? Ha! Alright¡­ go on.¡± Glatrix pressed his fingers together, staring hot fire at Vega.

    ¡°¡­My friends¡­ I want them to safe after this is over. All the money, or whatever they need-need, they get it.¡±

    ¡°Vega¡­ you really want that for us?¡± Skaldo smiled but it cut off shortly as Vega¡¯s eyes kept downward.

    You know this is futile! This won¡¯t make sure they¡¯ll stay with you.

    ¡°Yeah¡­ because I want you guys to have normal lives.¡± The scarecrow¡¯s eyes aimed to where the Voice was speaking, which Skaldi had guessed it was talking to her. The Voice and the Soul Gem would have to be figured out later.

    ¡°How adorable. And your second one?¡±

    ¡°¡­Whatever we¡­ whatever I find in the towers¡­ I get to keep it.¡± Silence, all admiring Vega¡¯s boldness. The three Oligarchs turned to each. Roka whispered close to Glatrix, but the empathic look on Ruto¡¯s face stopped it. Glatrix closed his eyes and bowed his head forward.

    ¡°Indeed. If you succeed in what¡¯s requested of you¡­ You will all be taken care of, and the contents of the towers belong to¡­¡± Glatrix struggled to finish his sentence, not able to believe a scarecrow bested him.

    ¡°Ve-ga.¡± Roka stated, with the rest of the soldiers nodding in mild agreement.

    ¡°Now get to work folks, we only have forty five days to do this. For Love! For Honor! For the Oligarchy!¡±

    The scarecrow, as the Oligarchs went out, stepped outside of Kaliber¡¯s tower. She hadn¡¯t even realized it, but the day had come to an end. It was a blissful night out, as the white embers of the moon rained seductive light down on her.

    All the gamblers had finished their games, and all the gangsters had taken their spoils home or to their hideouts.  Only the lonely wind on the dice littered paths were the only bit of rhythm that could be heard.

    For a reason she couldn¡¯t quite understand yet, she was still afraid. In this place, where she was stuck she was afraid that her friends might not stay around.

    An irrational feeling that often comes from pure emotion. Vega couldn¡¯t help but to fear that in the coming days, her friendships wouldn¡¯t last.

    Vega felt a nostalgic pang, like she had suffered something like this before. Like someone she had loved and defended her had left her forever. She took out the letter from Kaliber and lifted it to her eyes.

    There, in that emotional night, the scarecrow hoped only she could be with her friends only forty five days longer. The scarecrow hoped that her creator would be found.

    The scarecrow had a belief that she hoped would become truth.

    ¡°My dreams and my desires¡­ things are-are so colorful¡­ and it''s possible that I¡¯ve found¡­¡± A tear fell from the scarecrow¡¯s eye, and she continued to sing.

    ¡°I¡¯ve found a fountain in you¡­ a familiar youth in me¡­ whenever I¡¯m around it, I feel so-so wonderful and I¡¯m trying to be myself¡­ but I-I can¡¯t help it! I¡¯m so selfish!¡± The scarecrow sang, hoping that her voice would reach Kaliber.

    ¡°Can I live it again¡­?¡±

    Huh¡­ She reminds me of when I made my own Construct¡­ wait¡­

 Chapter 54: The Scarecrowâ€™s Reverie

    Chapter 54: The Scarecrow¡¯s Reverie

    ¡°Yet do I marvel¡­ marvel at such a thing¡­ marvel at-at my body made of string¡­ made of straw, metal and everything¡­ I am different to all¡­ yet I wish to sing¡­¡±

    Wind blew softly past, making her hair to shift like it were the waves of the sea. The scarecrow looked down.

    ¡°...how the fuck-fuck did I get on the roof?¡±

    ¡°Vega! What the fuck are you doing on the roof!?¡± Florato yelled, echoing faintly up to her. Vega hadn¡¯t realized it, but for the past hour, she had been talking to herself. In fact, it was currently midnight and when she peaked her head over the side, she could hardly see Florato, her form becoming a blue shadow blending with the rest of the environment.

    ¡°I don¡¯t know-know. I think¡­ I think I sort of walked here.¡±

    ¡°Vega. You¡¯re my friend and everything, but what you said is very dumb.¡±

    ¡°Well when you get stuck on top of a roof with no explanation, I¡¯ll call you dumb-dumb too!¡±

    ¡°Sorry. Can you just-I don¡¯t know, get down?¡±

    Just outside¡­ The Assassin rested on a rooftop, a building that didn¡¯t meet the light of the moon. Sitting down, not hearing their yelling, what words they were saying.

    Instead of spying or disguising she was but wondering¡­

    Wondering¡­ what could have been¡­

    The Assassin hand grazed the side of her face, a purple scar that ruined her. Her bare, white like death, teeth almost sparkled in the night. Vega was so silly, from her point of view. And it was so absurd to her that she would be tasked with observing the movements of a scarecrow. She was an Assassin for fucks sake!

    And yet¡­ she felt a great envy in her heart. That she got to do what she wanted, be with who she loved, and all the while being so far removed from average folk.

    ¡°What could have been¡­ it could have been great.¡±

    ¡°Vega! Do not jump down!¡± Florato yelled, waving her arms in an X pattern.

    ¡°On second thought¡­¡± The Assassin leaned back on the roof, watching the scene pan out in utter delight and reconsidered her words.

    ¡°Come on-on! Most of my limbs are made of metal, and the rest of me can just be put back together.¡±

    ¡°I know that! I just¡­ I just don¡¯t want you to put yourself in unnecessary danger.¡± As Florato responded, the Assassin pushed herself up and forward, feeling a genuine warmth in her when the actress showed her care for Vega. ¡°Please, can you find a way to climb down?¡±

    ¡°Okay. Okay¡­¡± Vega opened her jacket and searched for an item she could use. Since she both didn¡¯t have her pickaxe and didn¡¯t want to damage the tower, she was pretty limited in her options. Finding only gold, the deeds, and the numerous other letters, she could not find a tool to bring her down to the ground.

    Then she got a wonderful idea.

    ¡°Hey Florato, do ya know where Kaliba is?¡±

    ¡°He¡¯s off in a gang war.¡±

    ¡°Again?¡± Vega dropped her head, hearing the croaking of Kaliba not too far from her. He was on a clothesline, fighting some doves for their food. Despite the match being a one versus ten, Kaliba was absolutely styling on them.

    Vega was mildly happy for her bird friend, but soon remembered she didn¡¯t have a means to get down.

    ¡°Shoot¡­ Florato?¡±

    ¡°Hold on¡­¡± The actress snapped up at the scarecrow, smiling in realization. ¡°I¡¯ll just catch you!¡±

    ¡°...okay!¡± Vega, without any hesitation or preparation, immediately jumped down with no regard for anyone¡¯s safety, especially her own.

    ¡°Oh god.¡± Florato¡¯s eyes opened wide and her pupils turned tiny, as she suddenly had to play catch with her friend¡¯s body.

    ¡°Weeeeeeeeeeeeeeee-¡± Not Vega that had minded.

    ¡°This must be nice.¡± The Assassin admired, just as Vega¡¯s shadow fell onto Florato. Then Vega¡¯s head. Then Vega¡¯s body. Vega crashed into Florato, knocking them both on the ground with a hard thawack.

    ¡°Are ya alright Florato?¡±

    ¡°...it¡¯s not that you were heavy or anything, but you just had a lot of momentum behind you.¡±

    ¡°Always remember, it¡¯s not-not the fall that kills ya, but the sudden stop! But¡­ thanks buddy.¡± Vega leapt up and pulled Florato in a spin, making her fall almost romantically into her arms. If Vega had been a handsome lad, this would look like a standard leaving scene.

    ¡°No worries. You really have a way to make people¡¯s hearts warm.¡± Florato adjusted her hair and dress, and then gave Vega¡¯s shoulder a pat. ¡°Come on, let¡¯s go inside. We¡­ have some stuff to talk about.¡±

    Vega¡¯s smiling face weakened, like some poison destroyed her cheery mood. This talk didn¡¯t really enticed her, as she had been talking to herself about the past hour. But still, she could hardly refuse the company.

    ¡°Alright-right. Can we keep the yelling to a min-minumum?¡±

    ¡°I¡¯ll try, but I¡¯m not sure Skaldi will listen.¡± Florato shrugged, as she opened the door back into the tower.

    Keeping quiet, the Assassin stepped up and onto the edge of the roof, seeing them enter. Before Vega had, she felt a mild breeze blow past, as she turned to look up at the very roof the Assassin was at. She did not notice her, but could feel she was being watched. As she closed the door, Vega wondered.

    The scarecrow wondered what happened, for the Assassin to be so far away.

    ¡°Hold on! You¡¯re gay because you like men, I¡¯m gay because I hate women. We are not the same.¡± Skaldi stood proudly as he fixed his tie.

    ¡°What the hell did I just walk back into?¡± Florato shook her head once more.

    ¡°Hey miss! He¡¯s just trying to prove he¡¯s better than the big guy.¡± Sorbet waved, as Bolato rested his elbow on her head.

    ¡°You do know I have a name, right?¡±

    ¡°Yeah, but your¡¯s is hard to pronounce.¡±

    ¡°You know how to say Skaldi and Florato, but not Bolato?¡± Valiato raised her hand, sitting beside the ancient fireworks she had gotten.

    ¡°Yeah.¡± The ice cream lady answered plainly.

    ¡°...yeah honestly I get it.¡± The kid agreed.

    ¡°Whatever, what the hell did this conversation lead into hating women?¡± Florato strutted up to Skaldi and pulled his hair over his eye, which made him snicker.

    ¡°Sorry, sorry. We were just joking about how Bolato was defending the spider guy and the Ruto dude.¡± The redhead flipped his hair out of his face and casted a sly look at Bolato.

    This novel''s true home is a different platform. Support the author by finding it there.

    ¡°I think they¡¯re alright.¡± The soldier crossed his arms and held his head proudly.

    ¡°And-and that still doesn¡¯t justify it.¡± Vega pointed at Skaldi, shaking her head.

    ¡°I¡¯m getting to that! But, I decided that Bolato was clearly wrong-¡±

    ¡°I don¡¯t think they were that bad Skaldi.¡± Florato put her hand to forehand.

    ¡°If you guys keep interrupting, I¡¯ll never finish the story. Anyway! Bolato is clearly wrong, and I thought it would be funny to imitate him. Hey I¡¯m Bolato, I love worshiping my Oligarchic overlords.¡± Skaldi went on to do an impression of Bolato¡¯s voice, with surprising accuracy.

    ¡°And then I called him gay.¡± Bolato responded, causing everyone to laugh, everyone except for Sorbet and Amir.

    ¡°I still don¡¯t know what gay is?¡± Sorbet whispered to Amir.

    ¡°~... how did Iozians even come up with those words?~¡±

    ¡°OH, I get it. Skaldi was being an asshole again.¡± Florato shook Skaldi by the shoulder, making him blabber.

    ¡°Ouch! You still know I¡¯ve been shot only a day ago, right?¡±

    ¡°Well, maybe you should have moved out of the way, and then you wouldn¡¯t have had that problem.¡±

    ¡°Oh please.¡± Skaldi pushed her playfully, before walking next to Vega. A sudden silence took the room, and Vega¡¯s mood.

    She really wished she was in stealth mode then.

    ¡°Huh. I guess we¡¯re gonna talk-talk now, huh?¡±

    ¡°Yes. We have a couple duties between all of us, which we¡¯ll start in the morning.¡± Bolato uncrossed his arms, and proceeded to pass out a series of cards. When Vega received her, she recognized Skaldi¡¯s handwriting along with someone else¡¯s, simply labeled ¡®Vega¡¯s Job¡¯.

    ¡°Nice handwriting by the way.¡± Skaldi spoke to Sorbet, who blushed a rainbow of colors. Vega kept the cards in between her two hands, waiting to hear what everyone else was doing.

    ¡°Me and Valiato will begin scouting out the Cloud district. It¡¯s only a couple miles from here and with skill, we can probably learn the guard¡¯s partols.¡± The elf squatted down to her level.

    ¡°We were planning on distracting them with my fireworks! At least a little bit.¡±

    ¡°Amir and I will start checking what gangs are here. There are more than plenty, but for what the Oligarchs are requesting, we¡¯re either looking for some major factions or some underground people.¡± As Bolato finished, Amir nodded.

    Florato helped Sorbet up, as she looked at everyone in mild embarrassment.

    ¡°Well, I can¡¯t really do all that much, but I can join Sorbet. She wants to find out more about the world¡­ and she said she could probably help out with the planning if we head to the library.¡±

    ¡°To be honest, I kinda just want to look at the pictures and forget about the palace, but I¡¯ll also do that.¡± Sorbet rested her head and Florato¡¯s shoulder.

    ¡°These cards are meant to throw off the watchmen if they start investigating us. If we get caught with conspiracy, just hand them the card.¡±

    ¡°Why-why?¡±

    ¡°Because watchmen know how to read, and if we give them something, as Valiato suggested, it will throw them off.¡±

    ¡°Huh. Not bad, little lady-lady.¡± Vega gave her a quick thumbs up before flipping the card. It read¡­

    ¡°Vega the Scarecrow,

    If you are reading this card,

    this means you have found me in a bad situation or

    you¡¯re putting me in a bad situation.

    Fuck you and eat my dust.¡±

    Squinting back at Valiato, Vega had little hope that this idea would work. However, it was certainly not an idea she wouldn¡¯t try, but that she felt a bit scared of her teammates'' usage of it.

    ¡°Are ya guys sure this would work?¡±

    ¡°Well, yours has your own unique description, while the rest of ours is different. Mine says that I¡¯ve received orders from a centurion Sorbet knows, and that I should be let go. Even has that centurion¡¯s signature and where he can be found.¡±

    ¡°That is true.¡± Sorbet snapped at Bolato.

    ¡°And mine says that I¡¯m searching for inspiration for my musician group, the Blue Stars, and that they have permission to search from Oligarch Tibato. It won¡¯t work if I use it again, but it might get us out of the first initial situation.¡±

    ¡°I see-see. A single use, get out of jail free-free card. Still, why is mine so¡­ vulgar?¡±

    ¡°Ehh, it¡¯s because of what you¡¯ll be doing.¡± Skaldi lowered his eyes to her feet before dragging them up to her face.

    ¡°What will I be doing? Will I be joining you guys?¡± Vega wondered if she¡¯d get a choice in the matter. But the look on everyone¡¯s face was of minor guilt, when friends can no longer aid you on your journey.

    ¡°We thought¡­ mainly, I thought that it would be best for you to explore the tower¡­ on your own.¡± Skaldi stopped, feeling a worrisome pain in his wounds again. This sober remainder of what Vega is progressing towards didn¡¯t help him. He knew that only one person can find out her truth, and that was Vega.

    ¡°But why? Don¡¯t ya guys want to check out the place together?¡± Vega stepped forward, sort of pleading but more inviting.

    ¡°Vega, we understand what you''re feeling. It¡¯s hard to do such a thing alone.¡± Florato laid a hand on her shoulder. ¡°But, this is a thing only you can do.¡±

    ¡°Sure-sure, but¡­ you guys can still join me when I open the door and-¡±

    ¡°Vega, you know it''s not about that.¡± Bolato held a hand out to stop her. ¡°You¡¯re becoming your person, not tethered around helping people.¡±

    ¡°You are starting to make your own choices, and find out where you come from. And what road you¡¯re on that leads into the future.¡± Florato added on, giving Vega a genuine smile. ¡°And this part of the path has to be done by you and you only.¡±

    ¡°Vega¡­ we¡¯ll never know what Kaliber means. But we know what Kaliber means to you. Not that we¡¯ll be disappearing from you, or ditching you, or whatever you may be scared of.¡± Skaldi¡¯s words cooled Vega¡¯s worry, that someone really understood what her fears was.

    ¡°I get it. I know-know. I just¡­ wanted this to be shared.¡±

    ¡°It will be shared. We¡¯ll be here! Sure, we might be dealing with bandits and watchmen, and a whole fucking invasion, but that doesn¡¯t change the fact that we¡¯re your friends.¡± Skaldi responded dryly, breaking the tension and making some of them giggle, including Vega.

    ¡°You already know you¡¯re more than enough. Learning to appreciate things on your own is a part of that. A bittersweet part, but a part no less.¡± Florato took off her hat and rubbed her hair like she was a little kid.

    ¡°Can you do that for us Vega? Can you do that for yourself?¡± Skaldi took the hat from Florato and offered it back to Vega. Everyone stared at her in hope that their odd friend would go even further beyond. She was still feeling a bit nervous about it, but gave her warmest smile and accepted the hat and put it back on.

    ¡°I¡¯ll try-try. No, I will!¡±

    The morning had arrived early for everyone except Vega. The feeling of tense adventure stayed with her the entire time. The sort of feeling you get when you¡¯re a teen going on a first date. It will be weird, it will be intimate, and will definitely be awkward, and if all goes well, you¡¯ll find out that there¡¯s more to you and the one in front of you.

    Everyone said they¡¯d meet back in the afternoon at a restaurant and headed out. Just as Vega, Sorbet, and Skaldi exitted out, the elf hopped right in front of them.

    ¡°So¡­¡±

    ¡°Soooo what?¡± Vega asked.

    ¡°Is this what people from Jantok Rock do?¡± Sorbet whispered behind the scarecrow.

    ¡°No-no! But, what is it Skaldi?¡±

    ¡°Uhhh¡­¡± Skaldi couldn¡¯t really find an eloquent nor sensitive way to approach the subject. But Vega¡¯s happy smile made him comfortable with asking it plainly. ¡°Hey Vega¡­ do you want to talk about the magic thing you did?¡±

    This reminder, actually had caught her off guard, made her shiver suddenly. When recounting her speech and the sudden appearance of the pitchfork, she had to admit it.

    ¡°Yeah-yeah¡­ that was pretty magical, huh?¡± She sheepishly knocked her fists together, as if feeling praised to embarrassment.

    ¡°Pretty magical? You used a Soul Gem on your own. That¡¯s as magical as it gets.¡± Sorbet hugged her from behind, further spurning her own pride.

    ¡°But still, did you know what you were doing? What were you feeling?¡± Skaldi asked, taking out a pad and pen.

    ¡°I don¡¯t know. I guess I was just, feeling really bad that ya guys were fighting and I wanted ya to stop. Didn¡¯t really plan on being magic, or however ya say it.¡±

    ¡°No ideas huh?¡± Skaldi closed his pad with a single thumb.

    ¡°Don¡¯t sound disappointed! It was her first time after all.¡± Sorbet said without thinking of the implications. I would make a joke about what she said, but it kinda just writes itself.

    ¡°Sorry Skaldi. But I can promise ya something. Both of ya.¡±

    ¡°What?¡± Sorbet let go of the scarecrow and stepped beside Skaldi. The elf waited with baited breath, hoping that he¡¯d get a glimpse behind the curtain that held the secrets of the Voice. Hoping that what she''d promise would allow him to help her.

    What she had responded with was satisfying enough for both, as they nodded and waved her off. Holding the map and having distributed gold to the whole party, Vega put on a backpack and headed north, in the direction of the tower.

    She repeated what she had said. Not as an assurance or a way to quell her fears, but to keep herself on the right path.

    ¡°...I will figure it out. In-in my own way.¡±

 Chapter 55: Ghostly Mirror

    Chapter 55: Ghostly Mirror

    ¡°Dear¡­ Kaliber. Is that how ya spell it?¡±

    Vega, continuing on the lonesome road ahead of her, took to preparing. Preparing both a letter and a sort of speech card, not sure how to compose her thoughts but knowing that she needed to. Too often people blurt out their passionate guts on the floor instead of composing them in an organized manner.

    This part of the Gambler district was far less populated, as most people either had little work in these early morning hours, or had been sleeping away last night''s wins and losses. Aside than a few stone lizard thugs chatting in a restaurant, and the a man sleeping in an alley, there was little noise.

    Like a field only populated by wind, only the lapping of garden leaves nearby added a sense of ambience, which helped Vega keep focused. She didn¡¯t want to explode again, especially with someone like Kaliber.

    Not that emotion shouldn¡¯t be spontaneous, but that Vega understood that if she failed to keep control, it would yield to new things that she wouldn¡¯t understand.

    Plus, she didn¡¯t want another pitchfork appearing out of nowhere again.

    ¡°Alright¡­ now what do I write-write¡­¡±

    ¡°Write-write?¡± Kaliba flew onto of her hat, squatting down and resting.

    ¡°Oh hey Kaliba! Do ya any idea of what I should say when I meet her?¡±

    ¡°Food-food.¡±

    ¡°Hmmm.¡± Vega considered the angle. Afterall, she had limited senses but was rapidly approaching new ones. Disgust, anger, even having to blink!

    ¡°Oh yeah, I keep forgetting to do that.¡± Vega blinked a hundred million times there. While blinking, she wondered how she came to be.

    How was she created?

    Why was she so far from Kaliber?

    And why does the Voice keep plaguing her so?

    ¡°There¡¯s a lot of questions I want to ask her. But is that really enough?¡± Vega held her head down to her paper, as the sun disappeared from the section of the district she was heading in. Bathed in an azure shade, the breeze of the wind died down and all that could be heard were her own footsteps. The apartments became tall and sloping, as they loomed over her like waves in the sea.

    ¡°I wonder¡­wonder¡­ wonderwander.¡± The scarecrow decided that this line of questioning would be suitable enough. And with a cleared conscience, like wiping away mental cobwebs, Vega set out to write what she wished to ask.

    ¡°Dear Ms. Kaliber lady,

    I don¡¯t think I have met you before, but my name is Vega. Vega the Scarecrow.

    For some strange reason, I exist. Well, I exist without knowing where I come from. I know I was made, but not from who or where. Did you¡­ make me?

    Not in that weird person way where they hug each other for a long time, but¡­ like¡­ did you intend to create me?

    For another weird thing, I¡¯ve found myself writing these letters in Tripolian. They¡¯re about you and this girl named Ena. She seems smart and nice, I hope I can be friends with her one day. You both seem like nice people, which is kinda of a rare thing nowadays.

    I don¡¯t want you to be scared when you get this, because plenty of people are scared or weirded out by me. I¡¯m¡­ an odd girl, but I that doesn¡¯t mean we can¡¯t be friends. I know there is a reason why I know you and why I feel pulled towards you.

    I may be gullible, or outright inconsiderate or plain stupid, but I¡¯m a good person and I like myself. Not love, cause I don¡¯t know how to quite love myself yet, but I like me. I really do like me, and I think you¡¯d like me too.

    This is not some feigned effort, some way to steal from you information or gold. I¡¯ve never been that type of lady, I¡¯ve alway tried to do good, in my own bizarre way that I can. And I¡¯m sure that you¡¯ll find that what you see is what you get with me. I don¡¯t want to hurt or betray, I just want a person that will stay and explain. Explain why all these weird and¡­ emotional things are happening.

    Why do I cry?

    What does food taste like?

    Why am I able to see?

    How does sunlight feel?

    What is pain?

    How can I do better?

    How can I make sure my friends won¡¯t leave me?

    How can I be a better¡­ me?

    Sorry, I sort of rambled there. But, I hope that shows that I really want to do good by you. Because, as one of friends said, if your anything like me, you¡¯ll be a super awesome good person.

    From a really big fan,

    Vega the Scarecrow.¡±

    You could be reading stolen content. Head to Royal Road for the genuine story.

    Oh¡­ oh no¡­ I¡¯m¡­ I¡¯m so sorry Vega¡­

    What was I saying? Oh yes, Vega finished the letter with only minor bumps on the page and the road. In fact, she hadn¡¯t even noticed how well she had written. Well, compared to her previous attempts.

    ¡°Ya think this will work Kaliba?¡±

    I, personally, am not so sure.

    ¡°Oh it¡¯s this fucker again.¡± Vega shook her head and stuffed her letter back into her jacket. She felt a little glad at the circumstances, at least none of her friends were there so that she¡¯d get embarrassed and humiliated in front of them. Finally, it was one on one. She wouldn¡¯t let the Voice hurt her so easy this time.

    Ouch! You know I have feelings, right? Haha!

    ¡°I can tell-tell. What is it this time, want to make me doubt my friends? Make me think that Kaliber isn¡¯t going to help me? Well, I¡¯ve heard it all before.¡± Vega speed up her walk, shouting to the street walls around her.

    Ah, you are sour today, huh? By the way, nice job getting on the roof. My Assassin was laughing at it the entire time.

    ¡°...what? I mean-I don¡¯t care. Let her watch.¡± Vega proceeded to flip off behind her.

    That will show her!

    ¡°Why are ya doing this anyway? I know-know I fought that bad guy back on the island, but I think ya should be more concerned with him rather than me.¡±

    Vega, after she had finished, was rewarded with the Voice¡¯s silence. One that she relished. Doing a quick fist bump and a high five to Kaliba, Vega went on to think of happier things.

    The roofs of the district building extended further, with some touching together. Cracks in the street and the walls grew, along with the lack of sunlight. As the sun was less visible in the area, plantlife was replaced with water works of communal fountains and pipeworks. Gangsters camped beside the fountains, most playing games with others charging customers with that particular fountain. In a few minutes, the streets became a tad more populated as many workers went to operate the systems of pipes.

    These same workers wore heavy pads around the knees and elbows, with red copper masks on their faces. They had an unfortunate lot in their life, which Vega understood but didn¡¯t know why.

    Traveling beside a more industrial street, bursts of hot steam were common. The very pipes being powered by prayer papers glued on, which Vega recognized had similar symbols as the ones back in the mermaid sanctuary, particularly ones relating to Nymph Yukos.

    ¡°Huh. Wonder how she¡¯s doing. If there¡¯s one thing that I could do Kaliba, I¡¯d want to get new-new hair like hers. Or Florato, Skaldi¡¯s, or Sorbet¡¯s, but definitely like Yukos¡¯.¡±

    ¡°Amber.¡±

    ¡°Yes, ya did get an amber crown.¡± Vega stopped and decided to admire the workers. Leaning against a dilapidated wall, she sat down on the fragments of old brick, staring at them.

    The more that she looked, the more she felt identified with them. Beneath the slits in their masks, scars and wrinkles could be seen, and the shaggy hair was tied behind with simple string. From atop a watchtower, a feathered cap wearing boss shouted down at them to work harder. She could hardly see the man, but she could hear the unpleasant nature of his words and his voice.

    And yet those same workers pushed on, in spite of that venom. Vega did not know to feel pride or to feel pity. Should you feel proud when you merely survive? Should you feel sad for something you had no choice in who you were?

    She did not know. She hoped that Kaliber would answer.

    Don¡¯t waste your time on these fools. They¡¯re simple tools of the state, nothing more, nothing less.

    ¡°And you¡¯re just background noise. Let¡¯s keep going.¡± She rose up slowly and kept her eyes on them before turning back to the road.

    How to put this¡­ You see, your friends mistake you for a sentient thing, a thing that¡¯s got a choice. That¡¯s their problem. They see you as too much of a person¡­ not the ¡®helper¡¯ that you want to be. What you need to be.

    ¡°That¡¯s a good thing. I like being know-know as a person.¡± Vega moved faster, as if trying to move past the Voice.

    Ah, now compare that¡­ to my Assassin. You don¡¯t even know her name, and you still fear her presence.

    Vega tripped for a moment, bumping into a lady who looked at her in mild annoyance.

    ¡°Sorry-sorry.¡± She bowed swiftly before returning to her normal pace. The Assassin¡­ the scarecrow couldn¡¯t deny that she was different. Not like Runtaii who look at her in amazement, not like Sabere who was prone to anger. Not even the Voice, this intimate and constant poison in her mind, was the same as the Assassin.

    The Assassin knew her, not only in mannerism and speech, but in that mimicry, of being foul copy. How she melted and shifted into her form was something beautiful, and yet distant.

    How she too spoke of the moon, all of it stuck with her.

    See? You are too¡­ gullible? No¡­ foolish? Closer. I got it! Too sensitive. You and your friends care too much about yourselves and each other.

    ¡°Too sensitive?.¡± Vega argued back, taking a turn into a lonely alley. ¡°Being sensitive is what got me friends. They are with me. They care about me.¡±

    Oh, don¡¯t think a bunch of pretty words means that they¡¯ll stick around¡­ you are still scared that they¡¯ll leave.

    ¡°I¡¯m not¡­¡±

    Then why were you so sad yesterday night?

    ¡°Shut up¡­ I¡¯m still learning how to be proud of myself. To live for myself,¡±

    You¡¯re doing a poor job at that. You had to have your own friends to stick up for you. If it was just you alone, you would have folded against that Oligarch. You can¡¯t plan on your friends staying, and you know it.

    ¡°And what does your Assassin have? I¡¯ve stood up to everyone I¡¯ve faced. This Assassin is nothing. Look at what me-me and my friends have gotten done!¡± Vega was pushing her bravado, trying to quell that doubt in her.

    Yes.  You¡¯ve gotten into a city that¡¯s about to be invaded, while your team is starting to crumble.

    ¡°Ya must have some really selective thoughts, huh? I saved countless people and have been rewarded for it. I have gold, friends, and even a girlfriend!¡±

    Ah, but you don¡¯t have one thing. That particular thing you¡¯ve been searching for this entire journey.

    ¡°Hah! What¡¯s that?¡±

    Purpose.

    The scarecrow¡¯s laughter stopped, as her soul felt a great cold take hold.

    Always listening to others. Always being dragged around by the nearest crybaby. Always trying to be a helper. Always trying to find the next friend.

    Hoping that in that bottomless pit that you call your dreams, that the next job, the next person, the next smiling face will finally be enough for you.

    The scarecrow stifled, a tear came to her eye.

    That despite your odd circumstances, that somehow, you¡¯ll be able to get through ¡®your own way¡¯.

    Hoping that you¡¯ll find out what it means to exist.

    Hoping that you¡¯ll be enough.

    Hoping that Kaliber can explain what you are and how you can be better.

    Do you think my Assassin questions what she is?

    Do you honestly believe that finding out the truth will save you?

    She has it all figured out, because-

    ¡°What do ya think is the solution, huh?! Ya think it¡¯s easy being me? Being something that¡¯s beyond what is-is accepted? Being treated like gutter trash? Well, I¡¯m sorry that I¡¯m trying to be a good-good person! I¡¯m sorry that I want-want to help people! And I¡¯m sorry I¡¯m a ghost in a field of life!¡±

    The Voice did not return, as only the alone breezes past by.

    ¡°...I¡¯m sorry for trying to figure out what it means to be me-me. You just being an asshole to me isn¡¯t exactly helping. I¡¯m learning how to love myself and live for others and myself.¡± Her head was low and her hat hid her eyes as she wiped the tears from them.

    Right next to her, from the wind blowing thin strips of hay and pink petals, was a lone rose with thorn spikes.

    One that hadn¡¯t been there before.

    Noticing it at her foot, she picked it up and her eyes expanded wide. Tying it to her hat, Vega stood tall and proud. Not unhurt, but ready to take on the challenges of the future.

    ¡° I am something new entirely. And I¡¯m going to figure that out, no matter what. I¡¯m not celestial, and I¡¯m not completely earthy. I am chaos and unity. Life and death. I am Vega, and ya won¡¯t beat me you clod.¡±

 Chapter 56: Ghost Town

    Chapter 56: Ghost Town

    Echoing like water in a cave, the words of the Voice stayed with her.

    ¡°Almost there. The map says it-it¡¯s not too far. Just a little bit more. A little bit more.¡± Vega¡¯s voice sounded tired, as if she had walked a desert of a thousand miles and was nearing her destination. Not sounding joyful, but simply relieved.

    The buildings, if you could even call them that, descended into greater disrepair. While they were of the average size of the apartments previous, their skeletal and boney nature make them seem taller, more formidable. In this place, the people had shifted from standoffish gangsters to folk whose eyes were always to their feet.Their hair unkempt and tied in loose bands, with their trousers and shirts held up straw rope, Vega immediately understood that they were Tripolian. Tiny scars around their eyes, they keep always away from anyone that approached.

    Not even the scarecrow could draw their eyes.

    ¡°...I wonder what she¡¯ll be like. Oh, what am I saying? She¡¯ll be like me.¡± Vega tried to summon an inkling, a droplet of her previous energy. Anything that could make this something fun instead of a chore of which you could talk to no friends with.

    I mean there was Kaliba, but, come on.

    ¡°Hmm¡­ wait.¡± Vega realized upon hopping on a sidewalk, she felt a jingle in her backpack. She remembered packing her map, gold, pickaxe, badge and other trinkets, but that jingle sounded off.

    ¡°I guess I must have misplaced some-some stuff. Might need to-¡± Reaching on, Vega had felt six strings. Six strings of her guitar bristled at her touch. For some indiscernible reason, Vega couldn¡¯t quite remember when she put it in there. In fact, when she thought about it, she remembered she hadn¡¯t put it there at all.

    ¡°That¡¯s weird-weird.¡± As she pulled it out, she grazed her hands on his dark appearance. She grazed his finger tips on the strings, imagining what Florato had been doing. Imagining what Skaldi was doing. Imagining how they were all taking care without her.

    Wordlessly putting the guitar back into her backpack, Vega continued forward. Her mood relaxed a little, with the Voice¡¯s words becoming less miserable to remember.

    The closer and closer she moved to the direction of the tower, she heard the muffled talk of people, likely lounging and enjoying the cool morning before the day became hot. Despite the state of the place, people were living life as best they could, regardless of whether the ruling Oligarch aided them or not.

    She wished she had that mundane strength, to persist without the aid of others. She could feel it, that there wouldn¡¯t be a sudden showing of Skaldi or Amir to save her or any great monster to aid her. Certainly no Oligarch would.

    Vega was on her own.

    ¡°Still-still. It¡¯s not like I¡¯ll need help finding the tower!¡±

    Vega turned the corner and where the tower had been marked on the map, there was jack shit.

    ¡°Well fuck.¡±

    ¡°Fuck-fuck.¡±

    ¡°I agree with Kaliba. Fuck-fuck indeed. Where the hell is it?!¡± Vega ran up to what seemed to be district square. Here the buildings were the most maintained, as there were shops and artisans nearby and the people here seemed a bit more self confident.

    Analyzing toward the ground, Vega had discovered an interesting thing. There were faint etching on the ground, like when one marks a stone with a stick. It was hard to see, sure, but it was far better than the Jantok Sky one. Not disappearing, but it had physical scars in the ground.

    ¡°Aww¡­ it¡¯s either I ask someone what happened, or¡­ I ask someone what happened. Not really a tough-tough choice-choice.], huh?¡±

    Starting by going to the nearest shop, Vega pushed through the door hearing the metallic jingle of a bell.

    ¡°One minute!¡± A hoarse, strong man''s voice shouted. With his strong Tripolian accent, Vega imagined a comically oversized man for the store. Closet sized, baskets of various scrolls and books, all written in a manner of different languages. Most were clean and unchanged, as if they had been created that very day. The same could not be said for the walls, which had various layers of paint flaking off.

    ¡°Maybe this-this guy would know something. Seems like he¡¯s been here long enough.¡± Vega curiously reached into one of the baskets, picking out one of the few Iozian books.

    ¡°Hello hello, welcome to the Translation House! Anything written, anything read.¡± A wide man in fading blue robes raised his hands high up at Vega, having jumped down the stairs leading to his desk. Picking up a pair of cracked spectacles, he placed them on his nose that was next to his huge gray mustache. ¡°What would you- you¡¯re not what I was expecting.¡±

    ¡°Yeah, I get that a lot. Anyway, ya wouldn¡¯t happen to know about the tower outside, would ya? Tell me quick.¡± Vega spoke quickly, irritated that she was singled out again.

    ¡°Uh, tower? Aye, I see! You mean old Kaliber¡¯s tower? Aye.¡±

    ¡°What-what happened to it?¡±

    ¡°Curious, are you seeking Kaliber? That lady had been gone for a bit, same with the tower.¡± The man kept addressing Vega with his palm, as one would while pointing. This, in conjunction with his establishment, made Vega feel a bit ashamed of how she treated him as a result. He was honest, not trying to give her a hard time. Maybe don¡¯t give him one, she thought.

    ¡°Right. Was it like the one in the Gambler district, no one could get into it?¡±

    ¡°I wouldn¡¯t know. Just wasn¡¯t there anymore. Tell me, scarecrow, what is it that you seek? There is nothing here in Ghost town. Don¡¯t tell me, are you a grave robber?¡± The shopkeeper gave a hardy laugh, one that wasn¡¯t warranted from his joke.

    ¡°No-no sir. I just¡­ I don¡¯t know really.¡± Vega sat down on a bench, one that didn¡¯t match the aesthetic of the shop. ¡°I guess¡­ I guess I really want Kaliber. Is that how ya say it?¡±

    ¡°Want Kaliber? Ha! She was certainly a looker, that¡¯s for sure. Aye, I don¡¯t understand what you mean.¡±

    ¡°Heh, me neither. I-I just want to figure out who Kaliber is and if she can help me.¡±

    ¡°You place too much of your own fate on other people, I can tell that.¡± The shopkeeper stepped out from behind his desk and went to the baskets, carrying a clay blue pot. Gently brushing and lacquering them in a syrup-like liquid which looked like it would do nothing but harm the books.

    ¡°Are ya a mindreader mister? I could honestly use one. Well, one that isn¡¯t an asshole.¡±

    ¡°What?¡± The shopkeeper raised his eyebrow at her, dripping some of the syrup on the floor.

    ¡°Nevermind¡­ well¡­ thanks for helping me.¡± Vega slapped her knees and stood up to exit.

    ¡°Hold on¡­¡± He put the pot on the bench, as he took a breath. ¡°...do you really wish to know about Kaliber?¡±

    ¡°To be honest sir¡­ I want to know about myself.¡± Speaking through her heart, Vega¡¯s eyes and the rose on her hat sparkled for an instant, not a moment more. The shopkeeper gave a sigh, one that signaled that he felt her struggle before.

    ¡°Hmmm¡­ don¡¯t speak of this to the watch men. A temple, not far from here. It is in the style of Sanguian ghosts. A priest there¡­ he too is seeking Kaliber. Maybe you can find luck with him.¡±

    Unauthorized content usage: if you discover this narrative on Amazon, report the violation.

    ¡°Mister, thanks. Thank you, so much.¡± Vega¡¯s hope is restored ever so more, like dropping a little water in a thirsty plant. She bowed and rose her foot to leave. However, feeling a bit motivated to act kindly, she opened her mouth. ¡°Hey mister, what book would ya recommend for me?¡±

    Crooked and standing on a perch like a crow, the temple looked down the hill in an observation stance. This temple, unlike previous cathedrals and temples Vega had been at, sported a lack of life. Well, in the manner of where life is hard to find. This temple had no neighbors, only the husks of them if you could call them that.

    The winds from the coast struggled to reach up the temple, be it from the force of the state or that the very wind could not bear to be in such a place.

    ¡°Guess this is-is my shot. What to say¡­¡± Vega hiked up the hill, taking ample time to look to the side of her. Not that she was suspecting a bandit ambush, but she was hoping to see someone, at least a group that associated themselves with the temple. But no, there would not be any one found.

    A full iron gate with symbols of blind eyes and eagles lay half open, exposing a cobblestone walkway. As Vega moved to the temple, she saw the Sanguian columns blend into the Jantok roofing, with the points of the roof raising up towards the sky, like dragon wings.

    Much like the outside, Vega pushed the entrance open to find only the remains of a temple. What religious idolatry and objects remained were simple and cheap, seeing as looters and bandits had stolen from this place long ago. High above were glowing white orbs, which made the temple hall have a dim light.

    ¡°Hello! I heard there was a-a priest here! Someone told me ya could help me out!¡± Vega spared no time, starting to run forward at a pace that was a bit too fast for herself, managing to trip twice. Checking left and right of this hall, there were no doors. All that she could see was ahead.

    The temple gave no answer, only the soft hum of the orbs responded.

    You really ought to stop.

    ¡°God damn it, it''s this guy again.¡±

    Ah, this girl. Of all my titles, I think that one¡¯s my favorite!

    ¡°Whatever-hello! Can ya guys help me?¡± Vega continued to race about, pressing forward despite the lack of life. The vibrant orange paint on the walls was a dark brown in the dark, the shine of the idols were that of blades in light, and Vega¡¯s footsteps echoed like she were in a cave and not in a place of celestial hearts and minds. Where the hopes of the mortal reach up to the sky, this was not it.

    ¡°Damn it. Hmm, how can I find them?¡±

    Have you tried dying? It¡¯s very trendy nowadays.

    ¡°Not listening.¡± Vega focused on a solution, continuing to run about the halls and rooms. The further she went, the more this place seemed in ruin. But not that type that invites sadness, but an odd beauty. Descending down a darkened stairway, Vega stare from out of the cracks of the walls vines and bizarre plant life that shuttered away when she came close.

    Even the only living things here shifted away from the scarecrow which caused her additional frustration. Thinking that they¡¯d lead to the priest, she followed these vines and plants in this corridor. When reaching the end of the staircase, she found the cellar where all the old manuscripts and prayer paper huddled in cold dust, with the plants oddly bonding next to the prayers, like a mother cuddling to their child.

    Don¡¯t you wish you could do that?

    ¡°Have-have anyone told ya you¡¯re not funny?¡± Vega shook her head and tried to ignore the Voice. Tracing the walls with her fingers, she noticed that the vines and plants joined close next to religious symbols. These plants looked like crowns attached to the vines and were glossy white, but became a calm orange when near the symbols.

    Instead of sunlight, it seemed these plants needed the symbols to live, and desperately needed them so. Vega admired them, that even in this dark they found life. They found what they were looking for.

    Oh, the scarecrow compares herself to dull plants. How touching.

    This mental battery plagued her still, for it reminded her that she had yet to discover the priest or how to get into Kaliber¡¯s tower. The words cracked in her head like thunder, first blinding her directions and shattering her focus. Taking a few steps to recover, she pushed on and continued to follow the vines.

    The next rooms were all the same, not in form but in result. All had a great loneliness, from incense holders stacked with ash, to pews and rag like rugs having no one praying and worshiping. The very statues of Recor and other spirits failed to survive as well. If Vega wasn¡¯t such a devout person, she wouldn¡¯t have recognized their forms.

    Scared that will happen to you? To your friends?

    She searched. She searched and searched but to no avail. At the end of the vines she found herself back where she had started, back at the entrance.

    The scarecrow fell to her knees, feeling a buildup of intolerable emotion. She struggled to hold herself together.

    ¡°No¡­ I¡¯m so close. So close.¡±

    You know¡­ you could probably head back to your friends.

    ¡°Shut up¡­¡±

    Think about it. You know this won¡¯t end well. Finding out who you are isn¡¯t going to fix anything. You cannot change what you are. We are all built with a purpose. You have failed.

    Accept it.

    Standing back up she held a solemn face. She did not cry. Instead, she reached out to her back, and pulled out the guitar. Plucking one string, she tested her might.

    Now was the time to do something right.

    ¡°Saw you in a dream¡­ are you who you seem?¡± Vega sang, playing a soft and heartfull melody on the guitar.  The rose on Vega¡¯s hat glowed brightly and its thorns receded slightly.

    ¡°Was it always in the cards for me to be aimless? No direction?¡± Her eyes closed, she moved forward with her voice rising. From out the guitar came an electric sound, that of thunder taken musical form.

    ¡°Nothing pulling me down from the sky, it seems like always get too high!¡± Reaching a elegant high note, her fingers danced on the strings, filling the empty temple with a great rhythm. Rhythm coming from the scarecrow.

    ¡°Ohhhhhh, the air is cold, I don¡¯t how breathe.¡± Stopping her playing, the temple was held by the voice. The voice of Vega.

    ¡°I¡¯m begging, can you¡­ Guide. My. Way. Out. Of this place?¡±

    ¡°Certainly.¡±

    ¡°What-what?¡± Vega opened eyes and turned around, hearing an unexpected person behind her.

    ¡°Apologies, but you are the one, that asked, yes?¡± Wearing orange robes, bound round his body. A ghost monk, for where his nose and upper lip should have been, there was only burned off husks. Matigas Natao accent and form, but his eyes a boiling white.

    ¡°Uhhh¡­ yeah? Sorry if I-I might have disturbed ya sir-sir.¡± Vega quickly went to her knees and kowtowed several times to the monk.

    ¡°Haha! No worries little one, in fact, we haven¡¯t had visitors in a bit. Well, ever since Kaliber. Which reminds me, you have come here for a reason, yes?¡± Soon as the monk finished, Vega gingerly put the guitar back and walked up to him. Looking at the ground and struggling to put the right words in place, she clasped her hands together.

    ¡°Can¡­ can ya please tell me where Kaliber¡¯s tower is?¡±

    ¡°Ah, yes. It''s to your left.¡±

    ¡°...what?¡±

    ¡°Left. To your left.¡± The monk turned his head and pointed with his thumb. Vega looked and he was right. Where there wasn¡¯t a door, now there was!

    ¡°...Ya fucking kidding me right?¡±

    ¡°Language.¡±

    ¡°Sorry, but what? I searched and searched and-¡±

    ¡°You have, already searched.¡± The monk held a palm to Vega¡¯s mouth. ¡°You have been searching for a long time, haven¡¯t you? You have already found it, but one needs to realize it.¡±

    ¡°I¡­ don¡¯t understand.¡±

    ¡°There is a lot we don¡¯t understand about ourselves.¡± The monk rubbed his scared face, feeling the marks and warped muscle. ¡°And certainly, what we can be. We need others to survive.¡± His white eyes fell onto the strange plant life. Sitting beside them, he pulled out a pot and dipped his hand into it. Using a similar lacquer the shopkeep had, he painted more symbols beside, and the plants grew and glowed.

    ¡°Huh. But we also need to grow¡­ right?¡± Vega smiled as she took off her hat and stared at the rose.

    She didn¡¯t quite understand the purpose or the rose, or how it came to be. But it was there, and it was beautiful. Putting the hat back on, she walked to the side of the monk, mental preparing for the door to Kaliber to be opened.

    ¡°Could I sit here a bit-bit?

    ¡°Sure. I wouldn¡¯t mind it.¡±

 Chapter 57: Doppelganger Disaster!

    Chapter 57: Doppelganger Disaster!

    What¡¯s something we can all agree on?

    ¡°Work sucks!¡± Skaldi screamed out, after having tripped over his own feet. Silker City, where he and Valiato started walking towards, was uncomfortably hilly. Sure, the streets had more staircases than bare streets, but it ended up making the half blind elf trip and bump into more things than he normally would.

    Valiato, who was lagging behind, had to take stops to catch her breath. While Silker City was the smallest area, it was the most mazelike of the parts of Uvi Jantok. Also the most industrious sector, workshops and compounds sprawled around like yarn, with thin wisps of smoke adding to this look. Still quiet, as much of the work was either down below or the machines were powered by water and wind mills high above.

    Speaking of high, Cloud District, the nearest to the bridge and where most of the legitimate business was conducted. Most of the residents were slightly fatter there, not so much that they weren¡¯t affected by the famine, but just enough to look more proud.

    Well, also because they looked like assholes.

    Skaldi and Valiato, as one might tell, looked more tired than anything. Having to rest at an abandoned papermill, they climbed up its steps and entered its doors. Old assembly lines and the rush of water made this a comfy spot to rest, along with its ample amount of shade and windows. Sitting down on old tiles, they took some deep breaths.

    ¡°Ska, how far are we far from the cloud place?¡±

    ¡°Only two more miles.¡± Skaldi rubbed her head and put on a smile. All this walking had given him a headache, and his wounds though banaged started to hurt once more. Nevertheless, his smile comforted Valiato.

    ¡°That¡¯s good. Even if this place is weird, it''s nice.¡± Valiato laid her back on the ground, brushing pebbles and rubble underneath her.

    ¡°Really?¡± Skaldi opened his mouth and eye big.

    ¡°Yeah! It¡¯s a lot more quiet than Core or Jao, and it still has that neat look all cities have. Plus, no one is drinking.¡±

    ¡°Right¡­¡± Skaldi turned his head away, feeling a bit embarrassed. He was starting to crave some booze bad, but he knew he had to put that off for a bit. ¡°I¡¯m¡­ happy things turned out alright for us.¡±

    ¡°Huh? We¡¯re still kind of stuck here.¡±

    ¡°Yeah, yeah, but we''re still alive. And when we were all there, in the boat after hearing about Amir, that was¡­ that was pretty cool.¡±

    ¡°Really? You like hearing Ari¡¯s backstory?¡± Valiato laughed a bit, seeing Skaldi show a softer and more genuine side.

    ¡°Backstory? That¡¯s how Bolato might call it, with all those comics. But, I mean we did pretty nice there, saving all the mermaids. It was a lot better than Fort Jao.¡±

    ¡°Was it because you lost your eye in Jao and we got stuff from the nymph lady?¡± Valiato said without keeping in mind to be sensitive.

    ¡°Wow! Okay kid, you got me there. Haha!¡± Skaldi gave a few playful punches to Valiato¡¯s belly, which made her laugh again. ¡°No! No it¡¯s not about me losing an eye. Well, it really does suck and shit, but that''s not what I¡¯m talking about sweet pea.¡±

    ¡°Then what are you talking about Ska?¡±

    ¡°Well¡­ it was because you were there for the mermaids.¡± Skaldi told her with unfiltered honesty. The redhead breathed out, feeling the heat come to his face and ears.

    ¡°Really?¡±

    ¡°Kid¡­ I really got scared when you got hurt. Like, holy shit, I was so scared. Seeing you all miserable, that sucked. Sucks more than me, in both ways.¡±

    ¡°Ska!¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m joking, but you understand? I knew what I had at stake there, and the reason you¡¯re still here is because I defended you. I stopped that axe guy. I helped you.¡±

    ¡°Ska¡­¡±

    ¡°In Fort Jao¡­ I sort of messed up. When you and Amir were having your birthday, I was in a sewer fighting a Snake Skin and I could have died. No, I would have died. Except a little old scarecrow was there. She helped me.¡±

    ¡°Vega, right. I know Ska.¡± Valiato sat up and stared forward, imagining the grim image.

    ¡°Don¡¯t feel bad, it was my mistake. But before I lost my eye, Vega told me something. That''s it, hold on.¡± Skaldi breathed in and acted out the mannerisms of Vega. ¡°Ya are like an uncared for field. Weeds and pests plague ya, but I know if I¡¯m there-there, ya will be better!¡±

    ¡°Haha! Did she really say that?¡± Valiato held her belly and leaned on Skaldi¡¯s arm.

    ¡°It¡¯s fine that ya have goals, but ya shouldn¡¯t forget her while pursuing them.¡± Skaldi¡¯s made a wagging finger in front of him as Valiato finished giggling.

    ¡°Aww. That was kind of sweet?¡±

    ¡°Well I was really pissed off. Ha! Because she was right. What would it matter if I improved myself if I wasn¡¯t able to hang out with you? Life without other people is no life at all. It¡¯s like flexing your muscles without a mirror. Without it, you can¡¯t see yourself.¡± Skaldi held his chin, feeling like he said something very smart there. Again, this is how it starts, dear student. Reflective thought becomes reflective action.

    ¡°So, it¡¯s because I got hurt, you liked the boat?¡± Valiato nudged him.

    ¡°No! No, I just, how do I say it? I prefer being able to protect you and be there for you over being selfish.¡±

    ¡°Ska¡­ I really like that.¡± A small, thin tear fell from Valiato¡¯s eye.

    ¡°Oh shit, I¡¯m sorry! Shit.¡±

    ¡°It¡¯s okay, thank you for saying that. To be honest, I did kind of miss you. I mean, Vega is cool and all and I love her. But, nothing beats you.¡±

    ¡°I gotcha sweetpea.¡± Skaldi wrapped his arm around Valiato for a little bit. For a couple of moments, they sat there enjoying the quiet breeze and the shade.

    ¡°Hey Ska?¡±

    ¡°Yes?¡± Skaldi asked, with Valiato looking down, preparing her question. She raised her head up slowly.

    ¡°...do you think Vega will be okay?¡±

    ¡°...To be frank, I don¡¯t know. What¡¯s she going through, something I only have a theory on.¡±

    ¡°Just a theory?¡±

    ¡°Hush now!¡± Skaldi shook her twice, trying to focus.

    ¡°Okay.¡±

    ¡°Look, Vega and the Voice she has, and now the magic thing she did. We have no clue. There¡¯s maybe three people who might know or could figure it out. The Voice. Kaliber. And Vega.¡±

    Did you know this story is from Royal Road? Read the official version for free and support the author.

    ¡°So you have no clue?¡± Valiato spoke with a worried tone. She didn¡¯t want to see the scarecrow erupted like she did just yesterday.

    ¡°No. But I do know one thing. She has us and we have her. She¡¯s strong and got a good heart, and when she¡¯s needed to she¡¯s pulled through. It¡¯s like she said, together we are-are what we aren¡¯t alone.¡±

    ¡°Ha. I like your impression of her.¡±

    ¡°Me too.¡± Skaldi could see Valiato¡¯s eyes starting to get heavy. Gently easing her down and scooting over, he let her have more space. ¡°Well, get some rest sweet pea. We¡¯ll start moving in a bit.¡±

    The kid nodded and closed her eyes, trying to take a nap. Skaldi brushed his hair away and stood, glad to have some down time between walking around. It had been awhile since he and Valiato had been alone with each other, his heart missed it.

    Skaldi still knew that he had a responsibility and pulled out a sheet of paper. Sorbet, with the aid of Vega¡¯s map, had drawn out a basic layout of Silker City. it didn¡¯t feature any street names, only loose landmarks that would help the two navigate. Getting up, Skaldi searched for a window to see where they would have to go next. He went slow, not trying to put too much strain on himself or his wounds.

    ¡°Geez¡­ I would pay anything to get rid of this.¡± He groaned, kicking over old rotting paper that littered the floor. ¡°Still, beats having to deal with gangs. Or reading. Or whatever the hell Vega is doing.¡±

    Feeling a cool breeze in the hall he was going in, he turned a corner to see a balcony, putting the city¡¯s great beauty and venom on display. Wooden rails were there, overtaken by vines and ruined, standing above the streets below. Skaldi, taking away his sense of smell to once again enhance his sight, took in the whole view.

    Long yellow snakes and turtles formed out of the roofs, with white stone and red wood as the skin of most of the buildings. Compounds of people processed and manufactured silk in big wooden contraptions, ones that boggled Skaldi. Rivers of water carried by open air piping, connected each workshop together, like veins in a body.

    Foul smelling smoke either went into the sky, or made a toxic mist in certain parts of the streets. And in those very streets were gangsters patrolling their claimed land. Skaldi knew better, that this land was chained by Tibato. And yet, he could see more than that.

    He could see through the many windows of the homes, each individual person going about their lives just as water flows, simple and mundane. It was hard to believe, for a moment, that all of this in some forty days might come to an end. That these folks must be another people culled by the Tripolians.

    ¡°Man¡­ it¡¯s kinda hard to relax, huh? Nevermind, let¡¯s just find that Cloud District.¡± Skaldi shook his head and placed the tiny map on the railing. Clicking his tongue, he looked left to right, trying to piece out Cloud District. ¡°What part of this city says ¡®I¡¯m a rich asshole¡¯?¡±

    Just as he spoke, he saw a tower with golden statues on its roof.

    ¡°Ahah! That¡¯s the one.¡± He checked the map and it did indeed have a landmark for the statues, and them being a part of Cloud District. Quickly mapping out a path, Skaldi made the decision that going on the ground would take too long. Instead, he had quite the plan.

    ¡°Rooftops are easy! Hardly a difference!¡± There was a significant difference, but Skaldi didn¡¯t want to confront that. He¡¯d rather choose the risky option over the headache causing one, in the figurative and literal sense. After a few minutes of mapping out a route, he  ran back over to Valiato and he got her up.

    ¡°What the!¡± Valiato yelped in great surprise.

    ¡°Come on, we gotta get going.¡± Skaldi began to rush her over to the hall.

    ¡°Well, can you please put me down?¡±

    ¡°Huh?¡± Skaldi hadn¡¯t realized, but he suddenly and accidentally lifted Valiato into his arms. Both of them were quite impressed to say the least, but Skaldi¡¯s aching arms caused him to slowly drop her to the floor.

    ¡°Wow. That was¡­ kinda fun!¡±

    ¡°Y-yeah, well, don¡¯t expect it for a while. Let¡¯s go sweetpea.¡± He waved her forward, as they both reached the balcony.

    ¡°Alright. You know, I think this is gonna be al-¡±

    FAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAATOMB!

    ¡°Nevermind!¡± Valiato hid behind Skaldi, as a great shaking took the entire building. Yells outside were heard, along with more explosions. Showers of rubble and smoke clouds erupted, as the two could see from the balcony. Children ran to their mothers, gangsters readied their weapons, all of them with an uneasy look on their faces.

    Okay¡­ I might have lied about, you know, the whole stabbing and mugging part? More like¡­ having your limbs violently ripped off by black powder bombs. But hey, that¡¯s hardly a difference!

    ¡°We gotta move!¡± Skaldi saw that the ceiling split apart and was soon to fall. Without any hesitation, he grabbed Valiato under his arm and backed up before rushing and leaping off the balcony, just as the ceiling crashed behind them.

    ¡°Holy shit!¡± Having gotten more air and height than he planned, he could see how far they would plummet if they didn¡¯t land on the roof. ¡°Hold on!¡±

    Falling a long ten feet, the elf managed to slide onto the roof tiles, avoiding any major injury. Looking back, he saw the paper mill shatter apart like a ceramic pot. Feeling even more shaking and seeing the aftermath of explosions, Skaldi knew they were hardly out of it yet.

    ¡°It¡¯s a gang war! Everyone, get down and inside!¡± A senior soldier shouted out from below. In the streets, mobs of people suddenly appeared as they rushed to either get to their homes or find a safespace to hide. Gangsters in waves enter in or out of buildings, ready to defend their claims with their blades.

    ¡°Let¡¯s keep moving.¡± Saying this softly, Skaldi let go of Valiato and began to navigate the rooftops as fast he could. His wounds ached but he ignored them and kept moving. As he reached the edge of the building and started to get ready for a jump, the structure he was going to jump on blew up with fantastic destruction.

    ¡°Okay, maybe not on that one!¡± Skaldi turned to another building to his left, which too broke apart, the smoke consuming the entire street. Even from high up, he could see gangsters fighting amongst themselves. Two large groups, one of red and the other of brown scarfs, struck with barbaric energy. No mercy was spared on the other.

    Trust me, it is usually a better vacation spot during this time of year.

    ¡°Skaldi¡­¡± Valiato called out, lifting her arm at him. Blood was seeping out, as Skaldi¡¯s sudden carrying of her reopened her axe wound.

    ¡°Shit. I got you, don¡¯t worry.¡± Sliding up to her, he quickly wrapped up her arm with a bandage and carefully led her away to another side. The ground beneath was shaking as well, as the scuffles ceased in one unanimous cry, followed by a bloody mist.

    Feeling the very foundations starting to give way, Skaldi saw the pipeworks connected to the side. He hoped that they¡¯d be strong enough to support them, so after giving a testing step, he helped Valiato on as they began to climb away. Just as they did, two more great clouds of black powder smoke took the building as it collapsed in on itself. He held onto the pipes and the kid for dear life, and the pipeworks frayed and bent, but stayed stable enough for them to continue.

    ¡°This had to have been planned, this is insane.¡± Skaldi murmured to himself, staring down at the warring streets. Every step the two took, a bandit fell and bled. Every time they climbed higher to a new pipe network, another bomb went off. All of it became so deafening and ear splitting, Skaldi considered dulling his hearing in exchange for better sight. But in fear that Valiato would call out to him, he kept it and always had her in his line of view.

    ¡°Ska! Right there!¡± She pointed at an open window of a workshop, one that was made out of strong looking strong stone and materials. ¡°Maybe we can hide there!¡±

    ¡°Maybe¡­¡± He pushed himself too hard, and he could no longer ignore the pain of his body. Grunting, having to stretch hard just to even reach the lip of it, he grabbed on. Struggling to hoist himself in, he pushed on the side of the wall and managed to fall into the window. Sparing no time, he reached out and pulled Valiato in, as the two lay breathing and sweating against various industrial machines.

    They didn¡¯t care for the wood dust air, nor the shaking in the ground. Right there, the two had made it out of the disaster. Sure, it was close, but they escaped the worst of it.

    Or so they thought.

    The fizzing of a fuze was heard, as suddenly a round ball came from out the window.

    A bomb lobed up there! Skaldi lifted his head and  froze, petrified that it was so close. The fuze was nearing detonation!

    Valiato, without a second thought, grabbed her sling and flung a rock at the bomb perfectly, sending it backward and it blowing up just a few yards away. A gray cloud swallowed them, as the two rushed out of the room. Coughing and having black ash on their faces, they shoveled in air.

    ¡°That¡­ was too close!¡± Valiato shouted, laughing in shock as she did.

    ¡°Good job there¡­ what the hell was that!?¡± Skaldi gave her a light pat on the shoulder before checking the window just in case another bomb flew up. Luckily, there were no more explosions to be had.

    Rushing down in file columns, watchmen shouted at the gangsters who soon broke apart. There were some fifty left that were drunk on fighting that decided to give the watchmen the what for. Skaldi soon had to cover Valiato¡¯s eyes, for those same fifty were cut down in shivering brutality, and only to a mere seven watchmen. They soon left the scene more bloody than when the bombs went off.

    Dragged away by their comrades or looted by bold souls, these gangsters had no peace in death. Well, there were pieces of them, but that doesn¡¯t matter.

    What did matter is the cause of the explosions. As he nursed Valiato¡¯s ax wound, the girl gave him a sweet smile. One that said ¡®I¡¯m okay, go check it out¡¯. And so he did, heading back into the room that they narrowly escaped from. Most of the machines laid in split parts, as the stone maintained its original form as best it could. The moment he checked the streets below, he could see people returning to them with mild caution. Of course, they might have encountered more violence than the average Iozian, but they looked pretty shaken up. I mean, who would blame them.

    Skaldi checked all that he could, for any signs of the person who had done this. There had to have been a reason, it couldn¡¯t have been a simple gang war. There had to have been a reason the two were targeted. Deciding to poke his head out of the ruined window, he looked one last time.

    He stared down, and he couldn¡¯t believe what he saw. Well, he couldn¡¯t believe who he saw. In his brilliant sight, the person was in incredible clarity that it could not be disputed who it was.

    A simple feminine shape. Hair composed of hay. In her stitched glove hands were a steel ball with a fuze coming out. Her eyes, uneven and with a creepy smile.

    Vega smiled up and waved at him, before disappearing into an alleyway¡­

 Chapter 58: Dead End

    Chapter 58: Dead End

    My dear student, where does one go when all roads are gone? Where does one go when all homes are closed? Where does one go when all hearts and hands cease to be open?

    Nowhere. Nowhere but your own mind.

    ¡°What do ya mean ya can¡¯t open the door?!¡±

    ¡°I can¡¯t open it.¡±

    ¡°Ya telling me that ya can¡¯t open the doors?¡± The scarecrow yelled at the monk, flailing her arms around.

    ¡°I didn¡¯t say that, I-¡±

    ¡°Are ya sure you¡¯re not blind or something?¡± Vega said, all confused. The monk went over to them, gave the knobs a hard twist that made a terrible squeaking. They didn¡¯t budge.

    ¡°Ooooooooooh. That¡¯s weird. Shit.¡±

    ¡°It is indeed, shit.¡±

    ¡°Then¡­ how can help me? How can I¡­ ya know?¡± Vega stared at the ground and started to kick it in boredom. The monk shook his head and sighed.

    ¡°When Kaliber left Ghost town, she didn¡¯t leave many belongings. Ah, scraps of plans or odd trinkets, most of which Oligarch Naius confiscated. Except¡­ what I have.¡± His voice went low, showing that whatever he was speaking about he gave great reference for it.

    ¡°Then what-what is it? Is it a Soul Gem or something?¡±

    ¡°Come¡­ I¡¯ll show you, little one.¡± The monk trotted on the ground, keeping his head low, which Vega soon mimicked. Bringing her over to the indoor garden which had the most amount of plant growth and symbols of the whole temple. A great pile of living matter. Nearby on shoddy wood shelves, there were random parts and glass shards. Most of it looked scientific, and yet to Vega it seemed a bit mad. Like the person who used this had to be some sort of disturbed.

    ¡°These parts may appear disunited, but I have studied some of the papers that were unclaimed by the Oligarch. These¡­ are instruments once used by Kaliber.¡±

    Instruments. Vega obviously knew that they weren¡¯t musical, by that word gave her a greater sense of tethering. A tethering to Kaliber. They were broken but Vega tried to imagine what Kaliber would do with these things. She reached out for a glass bauble, of which the monk slapped her hand.

    ¡°No touch.¡±

    ¡°Sorry.¡± Vega bowed and rubbed the back of her head. ¡°But¡­ this belonged to her?¡±

    ¡°Kaliber was the only one in Ghost town that had any education. We ghosts weren¡¯t ¡®worthy¡¯ enough to be taught. Too broken. Too dead. Too¡­ awful. Ah¡­ Kaliber was one of a kind.¡±

    ¡°Huh. She¡­ was she good?¡±

    ¡°Good? No. She was the best.¡±

    ¡°Hmm. I like that.¡±

    ¡°Me too¡­ as you can see, Kaliber¡¯s disappearance has been tied to the towers. The one in Jantok Sky, the one in the Gambler district, and well, the one here. The only things left untouched.¡±

    ¡°How do ya know those doors lead to the second one?¡±

    ¡°Just as you saw them appear, I saw them too. After she had left. I have no doubt about it in my mind, that is the way to Kaliber.¡±

    ¡°I see.¡± She turned back to the direction of the doors. She was close, she could feel it. On the brink, on the verge of some revelation. Vega knew she¡¯d find out something.

    ¡°Before you leave¡­ I have something to give you. Rather, Kaliber has something for you.¡± The monk crouched down the plants and with one hand, parted the whole mass. Standing up, he held a piece of paper out to the scarecrow.

    ¡°For me? For me-me?!¡± Vega could hardly believe it. Something addressed to her, from Kaliber? Could it be true?

    Snatching the paper out of his hands and immediately read it. It read¡­

    ¡°To the one who searches¡­¡±

    The rest of the paper¡­ was blank!

    Anticlimactic, I know. But trust me, there is more than meets the eye on this one.

    ¡°What!? Where¡¯s the rest? Do I have to-to pay ya or something? Is this a subscription based sevice thing?¡±

    ¡°Calm yourself.¡±

    ¡°But¡­but¡­why?¡± Vega¡¯s emotions couldn¡¯t take such a tempting thing. She wanted answers bad. Her hands gripped the paper hard, desperate to see more than a sentence. Something that could quell the Voice and her curiosity.

    ¡°As I told you before, you have already searched. But what you need to do, little one, is realize it.¡± As the monk finished, Vega tilted her head. She thought of all the drawings she did, all the writing and the letters. She thought of Skaldi and how they made the song together. All of it had to be filled by her. For now, this is a blank page. But that doesn¡¯t mean it doesn¡¯t have the capacity for great love and great answers. Vega smiled at that idea.

    ¡°I think I understand-stand. This page, like me, needs to grow. With people, but needs to grow for itself.¡±

    If you come across this story on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen from Royal Road. Please report it.

    ¡°...I think you are ready, Vega.¡±

    ¡°...how the fuck-fuck do ya know my name?¡±

    ¡°The plants told me.¡±

    ¡°...fair enough.¡±

    Holding both her pickax close and the guitar at her side, the scarecrow finished preparing. This was it. She was ready to scream and shout!

    ¡°Thank ya mister! I¡¯ll tell ya everything when I get out!¡± Vega gave the monk a thumbs up, before heading through the doors.

    The two had quite a splendid time, I daresay. They smiled and laughed, discussed politics, and had a heartfelt moment or two. Well, I might be exaggerating for the sake of comedic effect, but you can¡¯t blame me!

    I mean, there wasn¡¯t anything exciting happening at the same exact time, right? And certainly nothing having to do with explosions. Oh well!

    ¡°Finally, time to see what the second tower hold-holds!¡± Vega, without a second thought, gently pushed the door open, careful not to cause any damage. She imagined herself as not an explorer, but as an observer. Patient, she told herself to be. After all, she would be the only person here, she wouldn¡¯t have any distractions or anyone to draw her attention.

    Entering in, she found herself descending down a dark staircase. She blinked a few times and kept a smile on her face. And then, she entered into the tower.

    ¡°Hmm. I quite like her.¡±

    ¡°Hey-hey mister.¡±

    A voice.

    A voice came from the entrance.

    A muffled one, sure, but there was a person outside.

    ¡°Hmm? Must be another one. I wonder what prayer they¡¯ll ask this time?¡± The monk stepped to the entrance door and pushed it open.

    What he saw confused him for a moment.

    ¡°Hi mister! Ya wouldn¡¯t mind if I enter?¡± It was Vega! More cheerful and energetic than when she left, but it was definitely her for sure.

    ¡°Oh. It¡¯s you again? Did the door lead outside or something?¡± The monk was oddly confused, checking back at the door to Kaliber¡¯s tower. As he turned back to Vega, she had already brushed past and started to look around, not sparing a careful thought.

    ¡°Ah, this must be what-what a temple looks like? Cool!¡±

    ¡°I see¡­¡± The monk knew now that something was¡­ wrong. As much as Vega looked normal, she didn¡¯t move normal. Not odd, more natural. More like¡­ a living humanoid rather than an animated scarecrow.

    ¡°Ya wouldn¡¯t mind showing me-me where the door was-was again? Sorry, just lost my path. Kinda dumb and stupid like that, mister.¡±

    ¡°Right. Left. It¡¯s to your left.¡±

    ¡°Hmm. Thank-thanks.¡± Vega had a sly smile and her eyes narrowed into pinpoints. ¡°Tell me, is-is there anything else I should know?¡±

    ¡°...no¡­¡± The monk slowly backed up to the wall, realizing that the person he was looking at is deceiving him. That the Vega he is looking at isn¡¯t true, isn¡¯t being the truth. Manipulating it, not accepting it.

    ¡°Hmm. Good. Now before I leave, there is one more question.¡± Vega held up a finger and turned her head away.

    ¡°...yes?¡±

    Her face morphed, melting and reforming like a bizarre mass. Her arms snapped and reassembled, her hair changed texture and color, and a hot and awful stench filled the temple. As the transformation was finished, a new voice spoke. That of the fifth Assassin.

    ¡°I¡¯m begging, ghost monk, can you guide my way out?¡±

    Locked inside, Vega screamed out for help.

    ¡°Help! I left my super special rock back there!¡± Keep in mind, dear student, the ghost monk was not a corpse. He was a faint smear on the ground surrounded by ash covered debris, and I know you can answer how that happened. I can say that the same smear is my favorite modern art piece in recent memory. Sort of like you look at a cloud and you imagine an image there. Except you''re doing that with a dead man¡¯s flesh parts that have been turned into paste, so¡­ not as fun.

    What was I talking about? Oh yeah, the scarecrow.

    ¡°Pretty please? I really liked that rock¡­¡± She punched the door all sad like before she heard a grinding in the walls.

    ¡°The fuck-fuck-fuck? Wow, that was a lot of stutters.¡± Vega slammed her pickax into the door a couple times, each being sent flying back. On the fourth time, she realized that there might be a reason she¡¯s stuck. Soon the grinding came to a stop and Vega turned to see what had previously been a black wall, became a strange hallway.

    Approaching it cautious and with her pickax out in front of her, she shuffled forward. A purple dark, with some of the strange plants lining the walls. As she moved, she felt her perspective to shift in a spiral. Checking her feet and the ceiling, she noticed that the very gravity had changed. The scarecrow was upside down.

    ¡°What the hell-hell-hell is going on? Again, another three?¡± Vega groaned and resumed walking normally. Afterall, Kaliber had to have this prepared. There would be no way that this would involve some type of death trap, obstacle course, or a means to test the might of the person who entered, right? That would be ridiculous! And certainly cliche enough that Kaliber would do something at least a little more clever, that would be silly.

    ¡°WELCOME construct TO THE TOWER.¡± Oh you got to be kidding with me.

    ¡°Hello! I¡¯m Ve-¡±

    ¡°SHUT THE FUCK UP.¡±

    ¡°I-I didn¡¯t even-¡±

    ¡°APPLYING HOLY WATER¡± As the tower spoke, an opening in the wall beside her blasted a heavy stream of liquid. One, as you might expect, removed all of Vega¡¯s draw on features. Because, you know, that¡¯s how holy water works.

    ¡°Mmh Mmmh Kmmh!¡± If you need the translation for what Vega said, good fucking luck because I still have no clue. The scarecrow pulled out a pencil and as she started to redraw her face, the tower began to speak again.

    ¡°THIS IS kaliber¡¯s UNDERGROUND TOWER, ONE OF WHICH SHE HAS BEEN KEEPING SECRET FOR A LONG ASS TIME. TAKE PHOTOS, THIS IS THE LAST TIME YOU¡¯LL SEE IT.¡±

    ¡°The fuck¡¯s a photo?¡± Vega said through her half drawn mouth.

    ¡°SAVE ALL QUESTIONS FOR THE END. YOU¡¯LL BE TASKED TO COMPLETE ALL THE CHALLENGES HERE, OTHERWISE THERE IS NO ESCAPE. THE ENTRANCE IS BLOCKED BY SEVERAL SOUL GEMS, SO DON¡¯T FUCKING TRY IT. IF YOU BROUGHT A SMALL CHILD IN HERE WITH YOU, THEY¡¯RE SHIT OUT OF LUCK.¡±

    ¡°Starting to feel it was a good decision to go alone¡­¡± Vega shrunk a little, disturbed by the rudeness of the tower.

    ¡°HOLY FUCKING SHIT STOP TALKING.¡±

    ¡°Sorry.¡±

    ¡°ANYWAY, IF YOU COMPLETE THE CHALLENGES, YOU¡¯LL BE ABLE TO ESCAPE ALONG WITH GETTING SOME SECOND HAND SHIT FROM kaliber.¡±

    ¡°Hmmm.¡± Vega mustered herself, readying for what was to come. Be it fire, pitchforks, or whatever horror she might face, she was going to give it her all. ¡°I do like shit.¡±

    ¡°ARE YOU READY?¡±

    ¡°...yes-yes.¡±

    Gust of wind, gears turning. A mini earthquake happens, a Vega moves her stance wider and lower to the ground.

    ¡°...Opening level one.¡± As the wall in front of her opened, a purple mist wandered out, so thick that when it got near Vega couldn¡¯t see her own hands. Undoubtedly, Vega was scared. This tower was made for her, for a construct. Kaliber, if anyone, had to know her weaknesses, what made her crack.

    What could defeat her. What could make her a mindless tool?

    ¡°Alright-right¡­let¡¯s go.¡±

 Chapter 59: Buried Alive

    Chapter 59: Buried Alive

    The fear of the past was being a slave.

    The fear of the future is to be a construct.

    Now with such a thought provoking opener, you might expect Vega¡¯s actions to be at least remotely connected to that, but no!

    Not sparing one more thought, Vega ran into the purple mist, letting out a powerful warcry.

    ¡°WEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE-¡±

    Okay, maybe not a powerful one, but you get what I mean. Vega knew she couldn¡¯t afford being defensive, having no ability to see anything. So risking it all, Vega swung wildly out in front of her, hoping to at least deal some damage to whoever might do her harm. After all, doing random shit has worked out before, why wouldn¡¯t it now?

    ¡°Opening floor.¡±

    ¡°Opening wha-¡± Underneath Vega¡¯s feet, the very ground shook once and even faster separated in half. ¡°Weeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee-¡±

    Again, she was kinda having fun.

    Plummeting down at rapid speeds, Vega held the pickax over her head and struck at the wall. Sending an explosion of rock, she managed to imbed the end of it in. Creating a long line of cracked wall, Vega pulled hard on it to slow her descent. Feeling air starting to blow underneath her, she pressed her feet against the wall as well. Finally beginning to slow down just enough, Vega stopped just fifteen feet above where the floor was.

    ¡°Woo. That was too close!¡± The scarecrow hopped off and landed in a crouch. Standing up, Vega soon noticed she wasn¡¯t the first to be here. A group of shattered bones and skeletons laid on the ground, most having a toxic green or yellow around them. Some still had hair in their scalp while others hand a few maggots on whatever tissue hadn¡¯t been eaten up yet.

    Mmh, now that¡¯s good cooking! Just me? Okay.

    Most of their gear varied in quality. Some were squalid explorers only armed with knifes and the clothes on their backs, others prepared with holy books and fetishes. There had even been one watchman, his armor cracking open like an egg. Whatever equipment they had it either rusted or rotted away, so Vega didn¡¯t take notice of it.

    A thing Vega had noticed, which would be pretty hard not to, was that the tower was no tower at all. In fact, it was a whole lush forest landscape in front of her! Tall elderwood trees, clouds in a pink sky, and grass and rivers sprawling out in front of her.

    However, not to Vega¡¯s knowledge, the sun was no sun at all. If one looked closely enough, the yellow sphere had a gem like glint to it, as if it were a piece of jewelry.

    Despite that, the scarecrow decided it would be best to make friends with the dead.

    ¡°Hello! What¡¯s ya name skull dude?¡±

    ¡­oh, there is no response. As one might expect. Another thing you might have suspected is that Vega would realize that death shit can¡¯t talk, but hey, it''s part of her charm, don¡¯t you think?

    Again¡­ I have just this weird feeling that she reminds me of a construct I made¡­ Very odd. But who cares about something like that? Back to the scarecrow fucking with bones and shit.

    ¡°Ya wouldn¡¯t happen to know where the exit, right-right? Or anywhere I¡¯m supposed to go?¡±

    Nothing.

    Not just because the bones were silent, but everything was. The rivers didn¡¯t trickle on the sandy shore, Vega¡¯s footsteps on the grass brought no crunch, where there was wind in the leaves there was no bristle. The whole environment, Vega knew, was false. It brought no life nor no death. It was rotting or living, it was a false image. A false place that had no rhythm.

    The scarecrow was alone.

    Feeling this creeping disturbance, Vega walked away from the bones and headed off, following the river.

    ¡°Again¡­ this is not right. Why is it so-so alone?¡± Vega, in effort to keep herself sane, spoke aloud. As she walked, she hoped that someone might answer. That someone would find her.

    ¡°Hmm. Guess it¡¯s just me-me again. This blows.¡± As she finished her sentence, she guessed that the Voice would join her, make some snide comment about how she¡¯s a failure. How she¡¯s missing the point. How¡¯s she getting all wrong.

    But no. For the next half hour Vega walked and walked alone. There were no birds in the sky, no fish in the river, not even worms or bugs in the dirt. She wondered during that time about an interesting thing, or more of an interesting comparison. After all, this environment had to be designed for her.

    This story is posted elsewhere by the author. Help them out by reading the authentic version.

    She wondered if this environment was how people saw her. Now it might seem initially a bit silly, of course Vega we are talking about, but she felt a bittersweet thing.

    That this forest of near unlimited trees and waters held a strange beauty, the one when someone encounters a corpse. How enchanting, in a sort of way, that this thing that once supported life has it no longer. It is absent. It is gone. I can''t live it again.

    ¡°Is that me? Is that how people see-see me?¡± Vega took a look at her hand and tried imagining Skaldi¡¯s or Florato¡¯s hand beside. They wouldn¡¯t quite match. She tried Ren, he was a bit different, but no he wouldn¡¯t fit her either.

    ¡°It¡¯d be so-so much easier if there was just someone who can show me. Show me how to be¡­ me? Wow, I think I just came up with a smart idea.¡± The scarecrow applauded herself and smiled and thought on it a bit more.

    ¡°Ena! Have you finished your studies young lady?¡± A voice echoed in the distance. Vega ducked down, hiding behind a bush and tried to search for who had said that.

    ¡°Yes Wiseman, I have. You can see.¡± Only about ten yards from her, she could sense it.

    ¡°Ena¡­ Ena! That¡¯s the-the girl that''s been writing all those letters!¡± Vega cheered quietly to herself, not trying to alert. Still, this was a huge find. Vega pieced the parts together. This isn¡¯t an environment or actually underground. It had to be a memory. Ena¡¯s, that had to be it.!

    At least, that''s what she believed.

    ¡°Memory! That is-is it. I know what I got to do. I¡¯ve realized it!

    ¡°I see. This is good work Ena. Well done.¡±

    The sudden conversation gave Vega a shock, having been alone. And as she slowly moved closer, their voices sounded off.

    Distorted, as if they were speaking underwater or speaking behind a door. Though Ena¡¯s voice wasn¡¯t too offputting, only sounding slightly muffled. The closer she crawled, she saw a great structure come into her view.

    A sizable school with strong fortification. All of it an adobe brick and etched sculptures of gods and spirits Vega didn¡¯t quite know. With tall minarets and opulent white towers, Vega had the suspicion that this was of Tripolian design.The school had a steady flow of people, both guards and students with the occasional teacher or wiseman. And in the back behind a thousand trees was a great mountain that if you squinted, it blended into the sky.

    Nearing as close as she could to Ena, she hid behind a tree and took a peek, a glimpse at her, not for an instant but for a long time.

    Ena was precious. So precious. Black hair that fell onto her blue robes, brown eyes that glowed with intelligence. A smile with a few lost teeth that made her more brave than her bookish appearance would let on. And on her back, was a guitar.

    ¡°So¡­ that¡¯s¡­ that¡¯s really her.¡± Vega didn¡¯t have a smile nor was she frowning. She did not feel envy or hate. She felt a strange familiarity. A warm one at that, but couldn¡¯t put her finger on it. Vega turned back and took out the first letter that she had found of her.

    ¡°Dear Father,

    I want you to know that I¡¯m enjoying my stay at the farm. I discovered that the Yita Mountain has a cave with flowing water. It was an interesting place, it helped me study my instrument in peace. Please write to me about how my mother is doing. I am worried for her. I know you are both good at your field but I wish that she is doing well.

    From¡­¡±

    ¡°Ena. So that¡¯s the girl-girl Kaliber cares about.¡± As she carefully folded the piece of paper back up, Vega felt a hint of pride. That somehow, she was in relation to those two. To Kaliber and Ena. That she might be cared for, not in the way of friends but of family. Vega had always wondered what it¡¯d be like to be looked after. She giggled, thinking up a fantasy of her in a crib as a little tuft of hay.

    ¡°Hehehe. That would be pretty cute.¡±

    ¡°You have a good day now, miss. Don¡¯t forget, it¡¯s the festival tomorrow.¡± THe wiseman shook his finger at her, stepping aside and let her pass.

    ¡°Yes sir.¡± Ena nodded and walked away from the wiseman.

    ¡°Oooo! Now¡¯s my chance.¡± The scarecrow checked both sides of her before proceeding to where Ena was walking. Hopping over a small wall, Ena moved atop a walkway, connecting to the second floors of the school buildings. This provided ample enough space for Vega to hide behind whenever Ena turned a corner, and allowed her to fully take in the place.

    Every building was chock full of shelves and scrolls, icons of Tripolian emperors of the past that were placed higher than gods and spirits, and students that seemed not too different from the average Iozian. Vega could sense that these folks were living life about the same as the people in Uvi Jantok, in a sort of blockade or imprisonment. The same sunken skin and thinner bodies, tired eyes and guards patrolling everywhere.

    At the same time, Vega relaxed. She still knew she was in the tower and it had to offer some challenge, but a thought occurred in her head that the obstacle would be more logical rather than spikes or arrows. Nevertheless, Vega remained vigilant, prepared for what was to come. Kaliber had to have something prepared, she thought. Soon, Vega would find what it was.

    ¡°It¡¯s okay¡­ it¡¯s okay¡­ she said she¡¯d be here. She promised.¡± Ena stopped in a dark corner of one of the buildings, taking a few deep breaths as she did. Vega peeked behind a wall, seeing all of it. ¡°Ah, please. Just¡­ please be here.¡±

    The doubt in Ena¡¯s voice, that the one who promised might not be there. That there might not be an answer that she¡¯d like.

    Inside of Vega, there was a sharp call. Not one that commanded her or controlled her, but motivated her. To do good. And Vega, shaking her head and shrugging her shoulders, stepped out from behind the wall and stepped up to Ena. Her hands were shaking, her smoothed out her hair and clothes. For some odd reason, Vega felt a bit nervous. Walking up to bandits, fighting soldiers, and all manner of dangerous stuff couldn¡¯t bring this out of her, but a meer girl is what spawned all this anxiousness. The scarecrow chuckled before tapping on Ena¡¯s shoulder.

    ¡°Hey-hey. It¡¯s okay, I¡¯m here. Ya don¡¯t need to be alone.¡±

    Nothing.

    And when I mean nothing, I mean nothing. Ena stayed there for a bit, seemingly not acknowledging Vega.

    ¡°Hey. I¡¯m right here. No need to¡­¡± Vega waved her hands in front of Ena¡¯s eyes, and came to that very realization, one that would haunt a sociable girl like her. She couldn¡¯t be seen. She couldn¡¯t be heard. Her very shadows didn¡¯t even exist. Looking at Ena¡¯s eyes, hoping there might be a bad prank going on, all she could see was the environment without.

    ¡°Ah¡­Kaliber. Dad, mom. Anyone¡­ I just want to see you again.¡± Ena steadied her breathing. Vega backed away and stared at the ground. What she hoped to talk to the one that had given her questions, all she got was silence. A death where there should be living. A corpse in a field of life.

    ¡°Oh. I understand-stand. I see. A ghost. I¡¯m a ghost. A ghost without a host.¡±

 Chapter 60: Mysterious Memories

    Chapter 60: Mysterious Memories

    In that dark corridor, that place where despair lies, we all collapse. We hide in our own thoughts, miserable and in pain. We wonder, why? Why did we succumb to such terrible events?

    But that is the wrong question. The right one, is how?

    ¡°How? How¡­ how did-did this happen?¡± Vega wasn¡¯t speaking about herself, though she had a lot to be upset about. A constant harassing chatter in her head, unfriendly Oligarchs, and an invasion on the horizon. Oh, and being away from her friends didn¡¯t help, but that was neither here nor there.

    Vega was speaking about Ena! This girl she knew loosely, through paper and ink. Through secondary means, not by talking or by seeing. The scarecrow felt unhappy at what she was seeing, this girl wanting to see their loved ones. But Vega could not help.

    She couldn¡¯t help them like the priestess and the vestal, or the snakeskin in the sewer, or the mermaids or prostitutes. Vega was helpless. And she absolutely hated that.

    ¡°I see. This is what Kal-Kaliber designed. This is the obstacle.¡± Gripping her fist tight, Vega had no doubts about it. Helping people was her main drive for most of her life, but the problem now was being unable to do it. Vega believed it, feeling a great fury in her fibers. And she was right.

    ¡°Okay, now. How do I help her? How does this place function?¡± Trying once more, she pressed her hand at Ena¡¯s shoulder. Paying close attention to both her hand and how Ena moved, she identified an off feature. Her hand barely phased through her, like how one moves through thick smoke. Her form slightly shifted as her hand moved before returning to normal.

    ¡°Right-right. The place did say-say there are Soul Gems in place, so that means magic stuff. Still, this isn¡¯t what I had in mind¡­¡± Vega was vaguely impressed, but still did not understand the purpose for this. If this was indeed a memory, why bother showing without being able to interact with it, she thought.

    What she did not know yet, that she could. But, don¡¯t let me spoil the surprise!

    ¡°Just keep going¡­ Everything is normal.¡± The distorted voice coming from Ena also added another idea to Vega. Sound and how it''s muffled. Ena was the least muffled out of everyone, so that means there had to be someone who was normal.

    ¡°That¡¯s the ticket. Just¡­ find someone.¡± Vega nodded to herself and pulled her guitar out. Sparing no embarrassment, she searched throughout all the school, playing as loudly and obnoxiously as she could. Running about through classrooms, standing on railings and strumming together whatever random nonsense she thought of on the spot, and generally trying to find anyone¡¯s attention.

    All of this, mind you, did not find any success. No matter how hard or loud she played, no one would pay attention. Even if she ran up to their very eyes and screamed in their very ears, nothing would happen. Of the voice distortion that everyone had, Vega¡¯s voice stood out like fire in rain. And yet, it too was drowned out and could not withstand.

    What she did find, was an alarming amount of soldiers and guards stationed both in and outside the school. There were fortresses of wood and stone being set up along the roads. Classrooms once packed with students were becoming packed with weapons and armor. All she went, she found no listeners. There was only the soft talk of students and the clinks of bronze armor.

    Inevitably, she returned to the side of Ena, finding her walking outside of the school and into the countryside.

    ¡°Huh. I still don¡¯t understand. Is it because we¡¯re both lonely or something?¡±

    ¡°Possibly.¡±

    ¡°Really-really?!¡±

    ¡°No.¡±

    ¡°Aw¡­ wait. Ya still don¡¯t see me do ya?¡±

    No response, as it seemed Ena was thinking about a totally different subject that didn¡¯t involve talking scarecrows going through an existential crisis. Well, I personally don¡¯t know, but I mean, come on.

    ¡°Hmm. Ya are so close and yet so distant.¡± Vega walked side by side with her, imagining how a conversation would have gone. A bit of confusion, a bit of wonder, and perhaps a bit of friendship. If every introduction with everyone was like that, she would save so much time. But no, she wouldn¡¯t even be allowed to have even the displeasure of an off meeting.

    ¡°Now that ya are so close, it is kind of hard to imagine you writing all those letters. There¡¯s gotta be more to ya than meets the eye.¡± As Vega stepped in front of her, walking backwards because she knew she¡¯d bump into no one, Vega pulled out the letters and held up to her face.

    ¡°Hello? Ena, there¡¯s a girl-girl in front of ya who has something very private! Watch out, she¡¯s about to tear it up!¡± Vega playfully held the letter against her pickax but soon realizing that not even threats would work, she put it back. ¡°Come on, there has to be something I can do. This is a challenge after all¡­¡±

    ¡°There. Home sweet home.¡± Ena looked through Vega¡¯s form, making the scarecrow turn around to see what she was talking about.

    The story has been illicitly taken; should you find it on Amazon, report the infringement.

    A blue brick cottage, cozy and small, built into a small and lonely hill. Not but a few hundred feet away was the opening to one of the massive mountains, making the hill seem pebble sized. Distant from the school and any other adjacent steads and groves, the only companion to it was the small farm that could be likened to a garden. Full of spinach, rokage and onions, it was ready to be picked, since that was the first thing Ena did after setting her books down on a flat stump.

    ¡°Hey, let me help- oh right. Shit! This fucking blows.¡± Vega kicked at the stump, feeling a slight twinge of pain in her soul. She understood it was disrespectful of Kaliber and of the tower, but she could hardly care. If she couldn¡¯t do anything or influence the situation in any way, who would mind if she kicked a stump.

    I mean, I¡¯d probably kick the stump too to be honest.

    What got her to stop was the look on Ena¡¯s face as she collected the ripened vegetables. This bookish girl was engaging herself in manual labor, the type that didn¡¯t fit a girl of her caliber (Ha!). Not only this, she had a slight smile as the sweat dripped on her face. Though if she was alone and suffering from it, she could still do her work and have fun with it.

    ¡°Ya know, it¡¯s kind of been a while since I¡¯ve done anything related to farming.¡± Vega walked towards and knelt beside her, going through the motions of picking the vegetables. Even if it was fake, it was a little fun playing pretend. After a while, Vega felt it was a bit too monotonous and stopped.

    ¡°Ha! To think I was ever-ever designed to be on a farm. Haha! Designed.¡± As the scarecrow thought of the word, she returned to one of the letters. She took care to understand its lines, for it read¡­

    ¡°-The Yita Mountain is still very beautiful. I spend most of my freetime there, since there are not too many people to talk to. Hearing and feeling out the strings is a lot easier within the caves. I think I¡¯ve come up with a few names.

    Musician¡¯s Hole

    Earth¡¯s String

    The Cave of Doom of Mountain Super Death

    Kaliber came up with the last name.

    I¡¯ve made a friend. Literally, I made a friend. Remember the farm? Perhaps that will give you an idea.¡±

    ¡°...made a friend?¡± The idea seemed a little comical. A little girl and Kaliber made a friend? Vega threw her head back and laughed, eventually falling down.

    ¡°Haha! That¡¯s silly, everyone knows that ya can¡¯t just make a friend! That¡¯s¡­ oh shit.¡± Vega came to the realization of an idea. One that interested her and disturbed her. One that she felt might answer a question, but spawn so many more¡­

    ¡°...what if I was made by her? And that¡­ I just don¡¯t remember?¡± She had to admit that the idea had sound logic. Her love of rhythm and sounds, a strange intellect and persona, tied together in an odd and magical form. Vega took off her hat and stared at the rose. She tried to imagine the rose in the garden, the place where Ena grew her crop. This memory, Ena¡¯s visualization of events, had to be leading up to something big. Something magical. Something involving a scarecrow.

    ¡°Kaliber put this here. It has to be to remind me. Remind me of¡­ birth. No¡­ creation. Of me¡­¡± Vega pressed her hand to her chest. Finally, this was it. There could be no doubts about this, this had to be the obstacle. ¡°To see how it started. To be helpless, then to realize my power. I understand now.¡±

    Ha.

    Haha.

    Hahaha! Oh shit, that has got to be the worst interpretation to this entire place I¡¯ve ever seen. I mean, let¡¯s be fair, the scarecrow is a bit out of the loop of context. But come on! All the silence, all the distorted, this is not the signs of birth and the start of life.

    Well, I personally never had a child or ever been married, so I might not be the right person on the subject. But, you¡¯d have to be some type of insane to think this place, that memory was anything involving a happy thing like birth. Haha!

    So, dear student, allow me to save you the trouble. This is not the answer to how. Vega would not find out how soon, but only another what?

    Don¡¯t worry, Vega and her adventures have yet to find their roots and ends.

    What was I saying? Oh yes, back to the scarecrow being incredibly misled.

    ¡°Alright! Finally! Some answers!¡± Vega ran through the door and stumbled a bit, not feeling the weight of the door on her body. ¡°Oh, I can phase through walls and stuff too. Cool-cool.¡±

    The cottage was aristocratic to say the least. Rugs of big animals, shelves with lined silver etchings, and sweet incense constantly burning. Thinking this was her birth home, Vega stepped carefully around, taking in it all. It was less about being careful and more about being attentive.

    ¡°Oh! I have to draw-draw this sometime. Or make a song of it. Or both-both!¡± Vega was giddy with excitement, keeping her eyes as open as she could. The cottage had a kitchen, a reading room the size of a closet, and a window peering out to the landscape, which now was dimming to a purple.

    The scarecrow tried to pick out the words, hoping to understand or to find any clues there. But, just like the school before, it was all in Tripolian. Nevertheless, Vega started doodling on whatever paper she had on the image of the cottage. If she managed to survive the next month or so, Vega had the idea that she could visit this place.

    I mean, it had to still exist, right?

    ¡°Oooh, this place is so cool. I can¡¯t wait. What will be my first word-words? I bit it would be¡­ cookie! Or bread-bread? Stick? I got it! It has to be-¡±

    ¡°Jeez, what''s taking her so long?¡±

    ¡°Well, not that but-who¡¯s there?¡± Vega had her voice. A voice from above. As she looked around, she noticed a staircase leading up. ¡°...hello?¡±

    Just as she asked, Ena burst through the door carrying two baskets. Setting them down in the kitchen, she wiped her face and washed her hand in a water bucket. Vega considered staying there, to see who was up there with Ena. However, her curiosity got the better of her and she slowly went up the stairs.

    There wasn¡¯t much up her except another room for books and pencils, and a door which Vega knew had to be the bedroom. For some reason there was an odd rhythm in there. Like someone playing a guitar for the first time. She pressed close to the wall, and she could tell it was someone playing the guitar for the first time. On every failed string she could hear a small curse.

    ¡°...is¡­ is that her?¡±

    Vega hesitated, wondering if what she thought was indeed truth. She reached out for the door but pulled back. Should she really do this? After all, the Voice keeps on speaking about how the truth might not be what she wanted. That perhaps, the truth might not set her free.

    But of course, as everyone might suspect, scarecrows don¡¯t tend to listen to voices in their heads.

    Her hands reached for the door knob, and she fell forward through it. The scarecrow entered the room.

    Her animated eyes met Kaliber.

 Chapter 61: Scarecrow Showdown!

    Chapter 61: Scarecrow Showdown!

    If you could wish it, whatever you truly wanted in the world, what would it be?

    Now of course I wouldn¡¯t be able to grant it, but it is meant to spur thought. Anything you desire, at your hands as easy and as simple as a leaf in the wind. What, and more importantly, why?

    What and why? Don¡¯t worry about how.

    Vega, in that moment upon seeing Kaliber, didn¡¯t worry how. Hell, she didn¡¯t care anymore. The person, the name, the word, all of it was right in front of her.

    Kaliber wore long drills and curls that reached her back, her skin matched the brown of Vega¡¯s patchwork, and her eyes shined like yellow in the sun.

    ¡­wait a minute¡­ nevermind.

    ¡°Kaliber?¡± Vega stood up slowly, gently tracing over Kaliber¡¯s form. Of course, as she reached out to touch her, the scarecrow understood that she too couldn¡¯t be interacted with.

    The lady in front of her was unmistakably Tripolian, her movement intelligent, seating at a slight lean and reading a book to pass the time. Her eyes held heavy bags that were tinted blue with her spectacles. Lips had cuts from some combat encounter, as there were two scars by her fingers and her nose.

    Vega peered a bit closer, still careful not to disrespect the form. The scarecrow saw her clothing, a strange combination between a toga and brass chestplate. For this reason and many others, Vega sort of saw her as a blend. Iozian and Tripolian. A unity, chaotic yet cultivated within reason. Something a bit like her.

    ¡°Ah, I can¡¯t wait to go to sleep¡­¡± Ena pushed open the door and stopped, with her eyes staring large and wide. Vega understood the significance immediately, and panicked!

    ¡°Uh, would-would ya guys like me to leave?¡±

    ¡°Kaliber?!¡± Ena squealed out, holding her hands to her tearing up face.

    ¡°Yes, that is my name.¡± Kaliber raced up to her madly and picked her up in a swoop. Swinging around, Vega went to duck and phased through Ena¡¯s shins.

    ¡°Oof! I would say ouch, but I can¡¯t feel-feel.¡±

    ¡°How long has it been? A year?!¡± Ena, muffled from burying her face into Kaliber¡¯s neck, cried out.

    ¡°Ah, it¡¯s been too long.¡± The lady let Ena down to the ground, before brushing her off.¡±

    ¡°This-this feels very awkward to be a part of. Would ya like me to leave?¡±

    ¡°NO WAY!¡± Ena shouted in excitement.

    ¡°Okie dokie!¡± Vega smiled, before realizing that she was reacting to Kaliber¡¯s gift. Which, admittedly, was a strange one for a young girl.

    Cut and reshaped into a Iozian star, it glowed in grand majesty. Ena knew what it was and carried in with her two hands cupped Vega knew as well, and hoped it might be the one thing she could interact with.

    ¡°That¡¯s¡­ that¡¯s a Soul Gem?¡±

    ¡°I hope it is! It would be weird for a gem to glow like that naturally!¡± Kaliber laughed as Ena kept her eyes open in awe. ¡°I wanted you to see this, ah, to understand why I¡¯ve been gone for so long¡­ it¡¯s always for a good reason.¡±

    ¡°I¡­ I got it.¡± Ena couldn¡¯t stop crying, so Kaliber went to her tears and wiped them away.

    ¡°Oh my god-god, just kiss already!¡± Vega screamed out. Within a few moments, she regretted her choice of words. ¡°Uh, maybe don¡¯t do-do that. I¡¯m pretty sure that¡¯s a crime.¡±

    The two reunited siblings hugged for a bit before heading back down to the living room. They talked for a while, exchanging small talk on how everything has been. Even though it was all in Tripolian, Vega decided she might as well write it down. Who knows, maybe it¡¯ll come in handy.

    When a certain subject came up, well, she knew it¡¯d be useful.

    ¡°So, I haven¡¯t heard from father¡­ or mother. Are they alright?¡± Ena spoke in a more soft tone, sensitive and not trying to prod too hard. Kaliber looked down into the table, before raising her head back at Ena.

    ¡°Ah, it¡¯s a plague going on.¡±

    ¡°Plague?¡±

    ¡°Plague-plague? A plague in Tripolia?¡± Vega realized that this event, this memory, didn''t take place too long ago. The scarecrow had learned that an awful plague, the Heortant, stormed Tripolia around seven years ago. Knowing that helped imagine a timeline. If this memory provides more info like this, she could find Kaliber, maybe even Ena. ¡°Plagues are not-not so cool, but please proceed.¡±

    Reading on this site? This novel is published elsewhere. Support the author by seeking out the original.

    ¡°That¡¯s what got them hold up. In fact, a lot of the family has got it.¡±

    ¡°Really? So that¡¯s why all the guards are here?¡±

    ¡°Ah, well no. Curatus is¡­ facing siege.¡± Kaliber said with a heavy heart.

    ¡°That¡¯s fifty miles away? Really?¡± Ena recoiled, holding the ends of her robe hard.

    ¡°Curatus, I heard that before-fore.¡± Vega wrote it down in her paper. If that was only fifty miles away, that meant she had a place. A place to search. ¡°Ooh, this just gets more interesting!¡±

    ¡°That¡¯s terrible!¡±

    ¡°Sorry-sorry, just excited to figure out who I am and who ya guys are!¡±

    ¡°I know, but don¡¯t worry. In fact, your father is on the job for it.¡± Kaliber said with a forced smile on her face.

    ¡°Ha¡­ I can only hope the Iozians run. Haha, it¡¯s funny, having Ani Arma as your dad is actually a bad thing.¡± Ena chuckled, feeling a bit relieved by the news.

    ¡°Ani Arma!?¡± Vega shot up, attempting to shake Ena a bit into order to interrogate her. ¡°Ani Arma, that fucking voice-voice in my head, is your fucking daddy?! What the fuck?!¡±

    As you can see, Vega was losing her shit. Sure, she wasn¡¯t seeing her birth, but the amount of information being revealed in this memory was amazing to say the least. Not even spies or generals could figure out that much in their entire lifetimes! And here, an animated scarecrow was being let in on more secrets than a priest.

    Man, the world is fucked!

    ¡°Holy hell-hell¡­ what¡­ What do I even do with that? That¡¯s so much¡­ and yet¡­¡± Vega slumped down, clattering her pencils and papers on her knees. She was wondering. Wondering as she looked at the two adopted siblings converse.

    Vega was an observer, and she was unhappy.

    That the two people that gave her so many questions were right in front of her, so terribly close, and yet she could not speak with them. Only separated by the memory¡¯s retelling.

    One that did not include her.

    She didn¡¯t happen here, in this event. She couldn¡¯t be seen. Was she erased?

    If no one remembers her, did she really matter?

    Vega tried to keep writing, tried to maintain focus. But all she could do was listen.

    She wondered if this was how the Voice felt most of the time. How Ani Arma felt¡­

    No, she focused on how Ena had felt. So happy to meet a loved one, and so glad they had survived what the world gave. That they didn¡¯t remind a voice from far away. In spite of destruction, there could be hope. That she could grow beyond what she was made for.

    Here, in this memory, she could not. All she could do was see, not participate.

    ¡°Ena¡­ can you keep a secret?¡± Kaliber moved closer to her, almost whispering. This caught Ena and Vega off guard, for Kaliber¡¯s voice portrayed more wisdom than warning. She didn¡¯t have any bad news to tell, but questions. Thoughtful questions.

    ¡°Sure? What, what is it?¡±

    ¡°A secret!¡±

    ¡°Ya guys have been telling secrets all the time. Can ya guys change it up-up?¡± Vega tried to lean on the table, but phased through that as well, crashing on the ground.

    ¡°You keep on telling secrets like that¡¯s a fun thing.¡± Ena shook her head, as Kaliber snickered.

    ¡°Okay, okay. When you¡¯re older, gossiping and finding out the truth becomes a lot more fun than how school does it.¡±

    ¡°Sure.¡± Ena rested her head on her forearms, half closing her eyes.

    ¡°Sure-sure.¡± Vega joined without falling to the same mistake she made.

    ¡°The¡­ look, the reason why I had to leave is secret and I do not want your

    father finding out. So¡­ promise me. That when I tell you, you will not tell a soul. And that you will not go in search of me.¡±

    ¡°In search?¡± Ena leaned back and laughed. ¡°Search for what? A lack of a husband?¡±

    ¡°Ouch kid, that actually hurt! Ha. But listen.¡± Kaliber''s eyes and voice turned serious, drawing Ena into attention.

    ¡°Yes?¡± Ena asked, ready to receive the secret. Vega put down her pencil and paper, feeling that it was more important to remember what she was going to say. Afterall, it might not be captured onto paper.

    ¡°You know, Snake Skins, correct?¡±

    ¡°Father created them, some Ari Amir helped him with the Soul Gem, right?¡±

    ¡°Yes, but that¡¯s not all. He¡¯s¡­ he¡¯s researching a way on how to save your mother.¡±

    ¡°She is sick¡­ how bad?¡± Ena pleaded, hoping for a good answer.

    ¡°...The plague has her. But, I assure you, your father is trying to find a way to save her. And¡­ I¡¯ve been trying to help him. In my own way.¡±

    ¡°Ha, I imagine you guys don¡¯t get along well. But¡­ mother is going to be alright?¡± Ena¡¯s stressed voice even put Vega off put. She¡¯d never had to deal with such a loss, the loss of a family member.¡¯

    ¡°I¡¯m figuring that out. And the secret part is that¡­ well¡­ I¡¯ve been working with an Oligarch.¡±

    ¡°No way¡­ but that¡¯s¡­ that could get you killed. What if Father finds out?¡± Worried, a bit of sweat fell onto Ena¡¯s brow.

    ¡°He won¡¯t. I won¡¯t let him. Right now¡­ I¡¯m working with Galtian elfs. They have a process for Soul Gems, a¡­ Gem harvest.¡±

    ¡°Gem Harvest! That¡¯s what¡¯s Skaldi¡¯s tribe do. That¡¯s what the Tripolians were doing in Fort Jao. Trying to sacrifice people for Soul Gems! But-but¡­ that would mean¡­¡±

    Vega didn¡¯t want to believe. She didn¡¯t want to know it. That Kaliber, the name that has driven her this entire journey, might not be what she expected. That the Voice, in all of its warnings, was right.

    That the truth might not set her free.

    The scarecrow wished it not to be true. Wished that her creator was not a killer.

    ¡°But it is-is.¡±

    A voice.

    A voice from the door.

    ¡°...who is it?¡±

    A hand phased through it. Along with a pickaxe.

    Vega stared at her own face, looking at her with violent intent.

    ¡°Shall we-we dance?¡±

 Chapter 62: Vega vs Vega?! (Part 1!)

    Chapter 62: Vega vs Vega?! (Part 1!)

    Taking all bets, taking all bets! Who will win this fight?!

    An emotional distraught farming implement or a shapeshifting assassin that carries bombs on hand?!

    The result is going to blow your mind!!! You¡¯re going to love this, trust me!

    ¡°Shall we dance-dance?¡± Vega whimpered, backing up into the wall. She had never seen her face before, and especially seeing it so fierce. As her back stretched on the wall, trying to find more space, she momentarily thought that her face didn¡¯t look so bad. In fact, Vega thought her own face was pretty pleasant looking.

    ¡°What are ya doing?¡±

    ¡°Nothing, just¡­ I look-look very pretty.¡± Vega complimented herself, hoping that it might make the Assassin laugh. Although it takes a few moments, the Assassin does and it¡¯s awful.

    Nothing like her own laugh, it''s way too natural. It¡¯s sadistic and violence, the animation of her eyes and mouth going wild and violent. And all of it, the Assassin was using a fake copy of her body. Using this chance to allow herself to stabilize her stance, Vega got ready. Whether to run or fight, she did not yet know.

    ¡°So, what is it that ya are here? Is it the nice air-air or the mountains or the-¡± Not allowing another joke, the Assassin threw a heavy knife into chest, splitting it open. A few gold coins fell out, along with a bit of her hay stuffing. Vega tried to pull the knife out, but it was firmly planted. Putting all her strength into her two arms, she tugged and tugged but stayed put.

    ¡°Come on¡­ I know-know the reason why ya are here. Because of this Tripolian gal, this fuck. The one Ani keeps talk-talking about. The one ya BOTH have been searching for.¡±

    ¡°Huh?¡± Searching for it, Vega hadn¡¯t imagined it. In fact, the idea seemed impossible to think up, until now. That the Voice, that Ani Arma had some interest in Kaliber. Remembering what Kaliber had and was still talking about, it makes sense! ¡°But why-why? Why Kaliber, isn¡¯t he ultra powerful or whatever?¡±

    ¡°Sure, but there¡¯s always more-more ya can now, and all that.¡± The Assassin came closer to Vega¡¯s face, close enough to make the scarecrow back her head away. If Vega didn¡¯t know any better, she would think the Assassin would kiss her. ¡°I thought ya would know already, but Ani can¡¯t get-get everywhere with that voice of his.¡±

    The whispering, that haunting whisper was chilling. Seeing her own face talk shit to herself was a little unnerving to say the least. Vega knew she had to get out, but she didn¡¯t know yet how. She had an idea, a chance to buy time.

    ¡°Huh, never knew that! Well, what is that-that Ani Arma is looking for here?¡± Vega tilted her head, trying to feign a friendly tone. The Assassin stared at her with disdain, knowing that Vega was attempting to play her.

    ¡°The Galtian elfs have this ritual¡­ it''s a little funny. The Oligarch ruling over them, a Raiato or something, is researching it. It¡¯s tough since most of the elfs don¡¯t know Iozian, and even fewer Tripolian¡­¡± Kaliber¡¯s mouth kept talking, the memory not taking into account the two scarecrows there.

    ¡°How¡­ how does she¡­¡± The Assassin trailed off, turning away to look at Kaliber. To observe. To listen. To understand.

    To realize.

    You might expect Vega to use this time to come up with a bizarre and silly plan to get her way out. Which she was, but the way Kaliber was talking, she knew she had to hear it. After all, what else could she do?

    ¡°When a noble elder, or even a spirit reaches the end of their lifetime, the tribe gathers together in mourning. And this collective pain, this emotion, this¡­ death makes something. Something beautiful and able to influence the world. A Soul Gem.¡± Kaliber spoke with great admiration and also a bit of sorrow. Both Vega and the Assassin could see it in her eyes, a sort of regret. The one that forms after taking something that is not yours or making a petty imitation of it.

    ¡°...what do you know about this?¡± Vega saw an opportunity. Not to escape, but to get information. Knowing that she was an Elf fairy, any clue or history she could find out would be crucial to discovering her weakness.

    ¡°What?¡±

    ¡°What do you know about what-what she''s talking about?¡± Vega shrugged, showing no ill intent behind the question. What you see is what you get, and so the Assassin gave her one singular clue

    ¡°Gem Harvest was never meant to be¡­ be a tool.¡±

    Vega¡¯s eyes opened large. A single sentence tells so much. A grief grave voice, like the Assassin had no choice. That she might not be all powerful afterall.

    ¡°A tool huh? Ha! Tell me about it-¡± Impacting with metal breaking force, the Assassin threw another knife, this time in her left arm. Hearing the steel in her arm snap a bit, she felt her shoulder come loose. Not enough to take it off, but enough to start to make her worry.

    ¡°Shut it.¡± Holding a finger up to Vega¡¯s mouth, the Assassin continued to listen to Ena and Kaliber¡¯s conversation. Here, she seemed more attentive than cruel, trying to stop up any distractions. I mean, who doesn¡¯t want to listen to those sisters talk?

    ¡°Is it sad?¡± Ena leaned forward, making Kaliber turn away for only a second.

    The narrative has been taken without permission. Report any sightings.

    ¡°Well, it involves death! So, at least a little bit.¡± Kaliber snickers a little, which eases the tension.

    ¡°What does it have to do with mother? The Snake Skins and the elfs. What about it?¡±

    ¡°...there is great power in death. Soul Gems are rare, so incredibly rare. And so incredibly powerful. Enough to change a person to be capable of incredible feats. Or enough for me to get a boyfriend.¡±

    ¡°Heh, Kaliber, please.¡± Ena flutters her eyes, grateful for the humor but wanting to know what she has planned. To save her mother.

    ¡°Sorry. Snake Skins are your father¡¯s creation, using a process to deprive the person of¡­ personhood. Incapable of making choices or actions lest they are given orders.¡±

    ¡°Orders¡­ ya sure Ani is a good boss?¡± Vega whispered, making a feeble attempt to prod at the Assassin, who didn''t respond.

    ¡°It makes a Soul Gem, albeit it weak. He has a monopoly on them, but he has yet to give them power. Death can bring power, but it must have meaning. If you make someone a slave, they cease to be a man. They cease to have power. They become a tool. They don¡¯t matter.¡±

    ¡°So the Soul Gems can¡¯t be used to heal mother¡­¡± Ena speaks dejectedly. The Assassin leaned into the knife in Vega¡¯s chest, tearing it open more.

    ¡°Who is the girl?¡±

    ¡°Ena. That¡¯s Ena.¡±

    ¡°Hmm.¡±

    ¡°What is it?¡±

    ¡°Nothing¡­ it¡¯s just Ani Arma doesn¡¯t like to talk about his family. Or at all.¡±

    The way the two move is different yet similar. Ena moves with a tired grace, like a student practicing to be a princess. Straight and swift with the occasional misstep. And Kaliber with a sense of madness and method, with fingers tapping and stroking her hair whenever she gets the chance. These two are awkward and yet beautiful in a manner that is human.

    All the while Vega repeatedly tries to pull the knives off of her, with the Assassin pushing them back in. Because the Assassin is a total fucking prick.

    ¡°However, Gem Harvest could be the key.¡±

    ¡°How so?¡± Ena¡¯s question grabbed the Assassin¡¯s attention once more, which gave Vega all the time she needed to prepare her plan. Just a minute, that¡¯s when she¡¯ll strike.

    ¡°Gem Harvest isn¡¯t like how your father does it. Mourning, pain, hope, all are at an all time high during, which increases the chances of producing a Soul Gem. And of that Soul Gem mattering. Of that person mattering. And-¡±

    ¡°Ani Arma has to die.¡± Ena said.

    Everything else in the room blackened, like the world was consumed by the night and all the stars died. The Assassin and Vega remained, but at a severe dullness. Their colors blurred and their forms disfigured. They didn¡¯t feel any great pains or torments. But they felt exactly what Ena was feeling at that moment. And hollowing in their stomach, like oceans of acid boiling within her.

    Ena had realized what Kaliber¡¯s secret was.

    At that moment, everything went back to normal! Nothing to worry about, all quiet on the homefront, and all that shit!

    ¡°What the fuck just happened?¡± The Assassin let go of Vega and looked around at the room, which suddenly turned back to normal. She was out of the loop.

    The scarecrow understood what it was.

    ¡°Kaliber. Failure. I miss Kaliber and Ani Arma must die! Yippee!¡± Vega understood what had happened. All of these words, these events were Vega heard a distinct sound, all of them were Ena¡¯s own words!

    ¡°By the gods, ya are annoying!¡±

    ¡°Hey, I¡¯m not the one who pinned me to the wall.¡± Vega looked at her own face and gave the most contemptuous expression in all of existence. ¡°Well, guess I did, technically.

    ¡°Ena, what are you-¡±

    ¡°No. I get it. Ani Arma isn¡¯t a good man. He¡¯s a cheat. He¡¯s a slaver. And he doesn¡¯t deserve anything more.¡± The little girl spoke the truth, as horrible as it was. Her own sister was planning, in secret, to murder her father.

    ¡°...wow¡­ you are smarter than I give you credit for¡­¡± Kaliber couldn¡¯t help but to rub the back of her head. I mean, it is a little embarrassing, to be fair. It¡¯s not everyday you get caught planning a regicide. ¡°Ena¡­ do you want to say anything?¡±

    ¡°...Ani¡­ father means something to me. I can¡¯t deny that. But, everything you come back to, you send me letters and gifts¡­ and all of this love¡­ I''m starting to understand the puzzle. More pieces come into place. That my father, the person who made me, isn¡¯t the man who I thought he once was.¡±

    Vega felt unified with Ena, as a tear came to both of their eyes. Pinned, stuck, unable to act. As the one who has created you and might be able to give you the answers you have so much wanted, isn¡¯t able to be there. That who they are is not what you believed them to be.

    That the one they search for might not set them free.

    ¡°Kaliber¡­ it hurts to say this but, you are a second mother to me.¡± The little girl¡¯s voice croaked. ¡°What you say, that father is trying to save my mom, but hasn¡¯t even bothered to tell me what¡¯s going on. With the plague, or the war, or nothing. I have been let out of his life. But you, you have let me into yours.¡±

    ¡°Ena¡­ I¡¯m sorry.¡±

    ¡°Hey Kaliber. Don¡¯t worry, your secret is safe with me.¡± Ena says this in a way that shows she doesn¡¯t quite understand the reasoning of working with an Oligarch. Kaliber detects and grabs Ena¡¯s hands firmly, as if trying to transmit her very feeling through touch.

    ¡°Ena¡­ you know what I am. A¡­ ghost lady, that¡¯s what the Iozians call me. A lady that should be dead but is still alive. And I don¡¯t want you to lose anyone, lose your mother, lose Ani, or anyone. It¡¯s dangerous, but it''s necessary. If I could wish it on the most powerful genie, I¡¯d wish no one would have to go through what I did ever again. Especially for my little sister.¡±

    Kaliber is smiling, trying to make Ena believe she¡¯s doing the right thing. That whatever plan she has contained in her mind, in that soft circuitry of thought, is the correct course. Ena, in Vega¡¯s eyes, is trying to believe. But that doesn¡¯t matter.

    It isn¡¯t the truth.

    ¡°Ha¡­ you¡¯ve only been here an hour and you¡¯ve already made me feel more love than I have in the past year.¡±

    ¡°Well, that¡¯s Kaliber Scherezade for you¡­ we can talk more about it later. Do you want to play a game?¡± Suddenly, Kaliber''s mood picks up and she jumps up, as if she hadn¡¯t spilled her guts just now. Ena hardly gets a chance to respond before Kaliber sweeps her off her feet and runs outside.

    Vega reaches out for Kaliber as she leaves but stops herself. Afterall, it¡¯s only a memory. A memory. A life. A life she was never a part of.

    ¡°OH MY GOD, that was so fucking boring.¡± The Assassin announced, turning back to see Vega not pinned on the wall. In fact, she felt a hand on her food. Looking down, she not only saw a hand, but a strange growth. From out of Vega¡¯s hand came roses and thorny vines wrapping around her.

    The Assassin realized it all too late!

    The Scarecrow was using magic, pulling her down through the floor, holding her guitar in hand.

    ¡°I don¡¯t want-want to dance, I want to party!¡±

 Chapter 62: Vega vs Vega?! (Part 2!)

    Chapter 62: Vega vs Vega?! (Part 2!)

    ¡°I¡¯m gonna give ya the haymaker! Get it!?¡± Vega, swinging the vines wrapped around her copycat, flung her through the building and out in the garden. Phasing the wall like a total badass, she stared at her hand, as those vines seemed familiar.

    ¡°What the hell?¡± The Assassin locked eyes with her opponent, having underestimated her and her abilities. She could sense something was off between them, but this made her sure of what it was.

    The scarecrow had latent powers that are yet to be known. Power yet unleashed. Belief unbound.

    ¡°Ya want to try me? Well then come on!¡± Vega raced up to the Assassin, playing her guitar as she did. When reaching certain beats, the vines grew around her hands.

    Rising up and throwing Vega behind her, the Assassin turned and tried to understand how she was doing it. She hadn¡¯t been able to do it before, why now?

    ¡°Ha. Don¡¯t get cocky.¡±

    ¡°I don¡¯t have a cock.¡± Vega responded.

    ¡°...how hasn¡¯t Ani Arma haven¡¯t killed ya yet?¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m very-very stubborn.¡±

    Seeing the vines retract and disappear back in her body, the Assassin rushed at Vega, pulling out a battle ax from her form. Vega swapped to her pickaxe and ran at her as well, expecting a clash you¡¯d see in theater battles. However, when Vega went to strike, the Assassin jumped over her and changed her from back to her elf body, smiling at Vega as she did. Landing on her feet, the Assassin cleaved into Vega¡¯s metal arm.

    Not giving any time to recover, the Assassin kept swinging and swinging and swinging. She wasn¡¯t trying to kill, she was trying to weaken. Each strike calculated to ruin Vega¡¯s dominant arm. Barely able to block the attacks, Vega tried to summon the vines once more, but to no avail.

    ¡°Come on, I thought you wanted to party?¡±

    ¡°Can we-we have a timeout?¡± Vega ducked one of the strikes, allowing her to sweep the Assassin off her feet. Just as soon as she fell, the Assassin used her fist to slide behind Vega and slash at her back, slipping more of her hay and belongings on the ground.

    Vega tried to hold her body together long enough to stitch it back together, but the Assassin kept up the pressure, never giving Vega the time to get away. As she managed to deflect one of her strikes, Vega realized how the vines came about. Like in the temple, it needs music. It needs rhythm.

    ¡°You know, you aren¡¯t that strong when you¡¯re alone. I could have killed you back at the boat, but I didn¡¯t. You know why?¡± The Assassin hooked the beard of her ax around Vega¡¯s neck and flung her to the ground. Her pickaxe fell far away, but the guitar only a few feet.

    ¡°Actually, no. Haha¡­ uh, I kinda would like to know to be honest.¡± Vega shrugged as best as she could, with the Assassin¡¯s foot on her and her arm hanging on by a few threads, she knew she had to make an opening.

    ¡°Whatever trick you have, it isn¡¯t going to work.¡±

    ¡°Whatever threat ya have, it won¡¯t work on me.¡±

    The Assassin lowered her eyes as she held the ax to Vega¡¯s neck once more. It wasn¡¯t the expression of hate, but more of disappointment. How, how does she have friends, she thought.

    ¡°Look, if ya wanted to kill me, ya would have done it already. That Ani guy is talking to me and ya have me on the ground. There¡­ is a reason that ya won¡¯t hurt me.¡± Vega believed, but she could not help being fearful. This was an Assassin, she had to have something to make her hurt.

    Wasting no time, the Assassin embedded the ax at the center of Vega, so squarely and strong that she could hardly bend up to look at her. As she pushed herself up, the Assassin had turned away, kicking the garden and wobbled as her foot phased through.

    ¡°Hehehe. You are a lot smarter than Ani gives you credit for. Yeah, there is a reason why you¡¯re alive.¡±

    ¡°...and that is?¡± Vega reached out for the guitar, but the Assassin¡¯s eyes darted at her, giving a freezing like effect. Vega stopped and played it off as she resting her head on her hands.

    ¡°He¡­ needs you.¡±

    ¡°Hold on, I¡¯m pretty sure I¡¯m underage.¡±

    ¡°Not like that, he has a different taste in ladies. Well, I don¡¯t personally know. Hehehe. No. He finds you useful.¡±

    ¡°Like a tool-tool?¡± Vega didn¡¯t like the word anymore, and it sounded heavy as she spoke the word. A tool. Just a tool. ¡°Just like Kaliber?¡±

    ¡°Yes. Something like that. He hasn¡¯t bothered me with the details.¡± The Assassin felt comfortable, keeping full attention on Vega. The scarecrow knew she had to break her sense of ease, to make her turn around for a bit.

    She got an idea.

    ¡°Hey ms?¡±

    ¡°What, ya going to appeal to my ¡®sense of humanity¡¯? News flash, I don¡¯t have one. Literally.¡±

    ¡°No, I wasn¡¯t going to ask that-that. I just wanted to know, since I¡¯m already captured¡­ What''s ya name?¡±

    ¡°...¡±

    The Assassin didn¡¯t like that. Her eyebrows curled sadly, along with her lips. The scar on her face beamed a terrible blue like toxic rain. Crossing her arms, as if to maintain some sense of strength, the Assassin turned away. One of her hands reached for sharp ears, to comfort herself.

    Waiting a second to see if the Assassin was playing her. She wasn¡¯t.

    ¡°You¡­ no one has asked that of me yet.¡±

    Love this novel? Read it on Royal Road to ensure the author gets credit.

    ¡°R-really?¡± Vega reached for the guitar, having to stretch out her torn parts. More and more of her body spilled out, and her arm nearly split in to.

    ¡°Yeah. Not even Ani¡­ how long¡­ how long has it been?¡± The Assassin put a finger to her teeth, tracing each ruined and harmed part of her scar. For some reason, Vega understood she linked that scar with her sense of time. How long had it been since she was hurt like that? Vega didn¡¯t want to know.

    ¡°Hey.¡±

    ¡°Yes?¡±

    ¡°... I don¡¯t know what-what happened to ya, but I¡¯m sorry.¡±

    ¡°...¡±

    ¡°... ya know, I want to find out what happened, with me. But I know it can be-be something unpleasant. That what happened wasn¡¯t good. But it doesn¡¯t have to define ya.¡±

    ¡°...¡±

    ¡°...what is ya name?¡±

    ¡°Krimm. Krimm the Fairy, the elves used to call me.¡± Krimm turned around, with a tear at her eye. What she saw was less than what she wanted.

    ¡°That¡¯s a nice name.¡±

    The scarecrow stood next to her, not holding her pickaxe and not her guitar. All she held was a hand. An open one.

    ¡°Ha. Haha!¡± Krimm laughed in her face, insulted by the gesture. ¡°You seriously think that would make me- what are you, an idiot?¡± Krimm punched the scarecrow in the face, sending her flying back, against her guitar. Vega only had a few moments, but managed to string together a melody just as Krimm lunged at her face.

    Using the vines growing on her arm, Vega latched them onto her and launched her into the sky.

    ¡°So long!¡± Vega yelled at her, barely able to keep her body together. She knew she didn¡¯t have long to hatch a plan. If Kaliber¡¯s words were important, she had to observe their conversation before she could be captured. Tying the vines around her tears, small roses grew from the vines. ¡°Gotta to see them. Gotta to figure it out!¡±

    Hopping and dashing around the garden, Vega searched for where Kaliber and Ena had gone. Seeing an nearby grove with some tracks, Vega ran into it. Falling shade and leaves from the trees came as a great gust of wind passed.

    Almost hurricane like, Vega had to hold onto a tree to avoid being flung into the air.

    ¡°This-this shouldn¡¯t be happening! This is a memory!¡± As the wind calmed, she saw Krimm at the end of the grove, with Kaliber and Ena just behind her, playing ball like nothing was happening. ¡°How are ya doing this?¡±

    Krimm, although only a fairy, had to have influence over perception, powerful enough to affect the perception of memory, that¡¯s what Vega knew.

    ¡°Stop fighting, you know you can¡¯t win.¡±

    ¡°Sure, but I know I can try!¡± Vega ran at her, playing a more intense song. This growing noise made the thorns even stronger and sharper, that like metal spikes. Vega threw out the vines with whip like speed, but not affecting the enivorment like Krimm did.

    Laughing as she flipped around Vega¡¯s vines, Krimm could not help but find the situation silly. Moreover, how her life had developed! She was fighting a scarecrow underground while two sisters played ball, she could hardly take it seriously. Much less her supposed opponent.

    ¡°Haha! Are you even trying to hit me?¡±

    Her animated eyes narrowed, as Vega grew ever more frustrated. Krimm didn¡¯t hold her axe to block her attacks, she was simply dodging them. It gotten so bad that Krimm had taken to dancing. She had to throw Krimm off, but how? Vega noticed her song was intense, her fingers strumming hard on the guitar strings, what if she played more calm?

    ¡°Okay, we can dance.¡± Vega stopped just ten feet from Krimm, holding her stance tall and proud. Krimm rolled her eyes, snickering that Vega was going to try another big swing again.

    In contrast, the scarecrow actually started to dance. More specifically, a moonwalk.

    ¡°Hah! Let¡¯s see what you got, kid.¡± Krimm put her weapon on the ground and shuffled forward, holding her hands on her hips. Vega closed her eyes and imagined lyrics on the spot. If this was to be her last song as a free lady, it would have to be a killer one.

    ¡°When, I was young. If I just closed my eyes, then I could go anywhere.¡± Hitting soft notes, the guitar took on an echoing sound, like that of a harp. Krimm leaned back, surprised that Vega was even capable of something sounding so graceful.

    ¡°Hmm, where are you going with this?¡±

    ¡°Dream of any place, Imagination sets the pace and my heart was happy there.¡± As Vega spoke, the environment shifted once more, but not in the same stunning darkness. The sun turned an iron white, and the very tree leaves fell with autumn colors. Krimm looked all around, and felt a strange serenity.

    ¡°What a shame that ya came round and told me. Said my dreams can¡¯t come true.¡± Vega spun and twisted, but not with the same wild and energy style she used to. But with the elegance of still water and the charm of a chirping bird. Krimm copied that style, dancing right behind her.

    ¡°Don¡¯t be foolish. Give up your wish, big things aren¡¯t for you.¡± Vega made a faint impression of the Voice, of Ani Arma. As Krimm danced with her, she heard more sound. Not coming from Vega, but from behind.

    Kaliber and Ena were clapping along.

    ¡°And how you¡¯d scold and chide me. Forever criticize me.¡± Another thing, Krimm¡¯s serenity turned from that of self doubt. She wasn¡¯t listening to the song, not only that. But she was feeling the lyrics, the strings, all of it with the same power Vega was. Every fiber, every step, even her very body falling apart. Krimm tried to slow down, but she couldn¡¯t let this scarecrow win. That would be terrible!

    ¡°But now I think I know the truth!¡± Vega opened her eyes as they glowed a majestic blonde. As she sung, a thousand voices joined with her, and send Krimm flying back. Picking herself up from the dust, she looked to where Vega was. Around her, there were tufts of hay swirling around her, and a fierce smile on her face.

    ¡°You! Were the one! Who held me down and told me I was heading nowhere.¡± Vega pointed to the sky, as it cracked open. The memory changed under Vega¡¯s own influence. The sound of her guitar turned electric, as she dashed at Krimm. As the Assassin swung, Vega disappeared only leaving the hay afterimage. Appearing just behind her, Vega dropkicked Krimm forward.

    ¡°You should know your place. Accept your fate and show good face. And be thankful that you¡¯re there!¡±

    ¡°Shut it!¡± Krimm knew it, Vega was giving her the treatment she had given her. Depriving her time to recover, getting in her face. Even more, the scarecrow was swaggin on her with a song.

    ¡°That was so long ago when you owned me. I believed it was true.¡± Vega¡¯s dance did not give up, as her attacks used kicks. And those kicks struck hard, the metal making tiny bruises on Krimm¡¯s skin. Whenever Krimm attacked, Vega would disappear into hay and reappear as soon as she left.

    ¡°Bend me, shape me. Build me, break me. Why was I your fool?¡± Vega cried out once more, the very fabric of the memory cracking apart like an earthquake. Krimm stood her ground, barely able to stay on one knee.

    ¡°And now I¡¯m so much stronger. I¡¯m not yours any longer. I¡¯ve got a message here for you!¡± Kaliber and Ena sung with Vega, as she yelled up into the sky.

    ¡°Time for you to learn, it¡¯s my turn!¡±

    ¡°OBSTACLE ONE COMPLETE. AND holy shit, KEEP THE NOISE DOWN.¡±

    ¡°What?¡± Krimm said.

    ¡°What-what?¡± Vega said.

    ¡°TAKING constructs TO OBSTACLE TWO.¡±

 Chapter 63: Human Hazards (Part 1!)

    Chapter 63: Human Hazards (Part 1!)

    In the tower, caution and safety precautions were thrown to the wind. Both because of budgetary constraints but also that the Soul Gems had a strange¡­ disruptive quality.

    What kind, how could Soul Gems possibly be volatile? After all, a soul¡¯s literal and physical death surely doesn¡¯t bring any hostile consequences like transfiguration, time dilation, multiple mental and bodily diseases, and possible dismemberment and death.

    Well, MOST Soul Gems don¡¯t. However, the room Vega and Krimm were being transported to, there was a lot of¡­ all of the shit I just mentioned¡­ maybe even a bit more.

    But that¡¯s neither here nor there dear student, all you need to worry about is this simple question.

    ¡°WHY THE FUCK-FUCK DOES KALIBER HAVE SO MANY SOUL GEMS!?!¡± Vega cried out, being blown through a tornado of wind. Hearing anything beyond the screeching and pounding waves of air was a little difficult to say the least. What was even harder was keeping herself together.

    Well, in the literal sense. Vega¡¯s very seams frayed and split apart by the wind. It had only been a minute since she was fighting Krimm, this sudden change in atmosphere was incredibly jarring.

    Not only because having a fucking tornado underground is impossible with ordinary circumstances, but because HOW the fuck did a tornado get underground?

    Soul Gems is the easy and the true solution. Not a very pleasant one, no, but the answer nonetheless.

    Krimm was not far behind Vega, managing to fly into and proceed to pin her against what seemed to be a wall.

    ¡°Die, die, die! Your music sucks and you¡¯re a bitch!¡± Krimm was unbelievably furious that a scarecrow managed to put her on the backfoot. She was an Assassin, a Galtin elf fairy, this was totally humiliating. She didn¡¯t lose of course, but the idea that Vega could pose a threat was something she could not handle, let alone entertain.

    ¡°WHAT?¡± Apparently, at least to Krimm¡¯s knowledge, the scarecrow had no clue of the anguish going on with Krimm, as wind had only grown even more intense. All she could do was put on a smile, which made her even more mad.

    ¡°I hate your ¡®I¡¯m such a gullible idiot¡¯ personality, I hate the fact people like you over me, and I fucking hate your speech impediment!¡± Krimm tried to grind Vega¡¯s face against the wall, but the wind ended up just making Krimm use her as a surfboard.

    ¡°WHAT?!¡±

    ¡°Your speech impediment is one of the dumbest things in all of existence!¡± Krimm, sparing no expense, shape shifted into a copy of Vega. ¡°Haha, look at me, I repeated a word-word twice. I¡¯m so quirky. Shut up! Shut your mouth!¡± Krimm screeched at the top of her lungs, returning to her base form. In fact, that wasn¡¯t even enough for her. Summoning up a celestial energy, and dulling her sense of touch and smell, she built up a great thunder in her voice.

    ¡°...wha-¡±

    ¡°I HATE YOU BECAUSE SOMEHOW YOU HAVE FRIENDS!¡±

    ¡°...¡± Vega only gave a sly smile. A smile which told Krimm that Vega could hear her the whole time. Sure it sounded very muffled, but she could hear her frustration easily. Krimm¡¯s face was a volcano, burning hot like magma ready to explode outward.

    ¡°...you know what¡­ you win¡­¡± Krimm took a breath and turned away from Vega. If the scarecrow was going to annoy her at every turn, she wasn¡¯t going to give her anything. It would make the job a lot more boring, not being able to shit talk.

    But compared to the cost of being played by a farming implement, that was hardly anything.

    ¡°ALRIGHT constructs. OBSTACLE TWO HAS FINISHED RENDERING.¡± The tower voice spoke again. The two tried to find where it was coming from, but eventually settled on staring forward.

    ¡°Ya have any clue what rendering means?¡±

    ¡°...¡±

    ¡°Yeah, me-me neither.¡±

    ¡°ACCORDING TO PROTOCOL, if there are more than one persons, THERE MUST BE A TEST TO DETERMINE WHICH IS REAL AND WHICH IS A SMALL CHILD THAT MUST BE SACRIFICED.¡±

    There was a very uncomfortable silence for a bit.

    ¡°HOLY SHIT, I¡¯M MAKING A JOKE. CHILDREN WOULDN¡¯T HAVE LIVED THIS LONG. STARTING TEST.¡±

    The wind died down rapidly, sending the two flying down a deep dark chasm. In only five seconds, they went from overwhelming noise to sinister silence. All Vega could think about was how this tower was set up. Elaborate in detail and scale, she wondered about how long it took to make. She then wondered how long it would take to win the obstacle.

    ¡°Well good thing I¡¯m the actual con-contruct. It would have been bad if¡­¡± Vega saw Krimm shapeshift into a scarecrow before her eyes, who gave her a head shake. Like, the most disappointed head shake in all of existence.

    From the walls, protruded two specters that floated alongside them, glowing enough so that they could see again. With a quick red flash at them, they left and Krimm returned to her base form.

    ¡°Ah¡­ well that sucks.¡±

    ¡°Yeah. This sucks a lot.¡± Krimm put a hand on her chin and started to kick her legs in the air because she was very bored. She knew she could probably try to take down Vega here, but a fight in the air wasn''t really exciting. After what Vega did, she didn¡¯t really have it in her to try to gain any enjoyment out of this.

    This book was originally published on Royal Road. Check it out there for the real experience.

    Surprisingly, Vega could detect this out of her. Her uneven eyelashes batted slowly, as Krimm poked at her ruined face. This fight between them might have been what Krimm had been looking forward to for a long time. Afterall, the Assassin did give her a brutal treatment, so in a weird way that could only make sense to her, Vega knew that she mattered to Krimm.

    If for only a couple moments, Vega felt a sympathy rise for the Assassin again, but not before another thing would hit her.

    ¡°Hey, do ya think it will take a long time-¡± The ground decided to interrupt, since Vega directly impacted it with full force. Like glass being broken was the sound that came from her crash.

    ¡°OBSTACLE TWO IS NOW LOADED.¡±

    A few pale lights shuttered open, all in sequence. They came from where they fell, which Vega turned on her back to look up at. A massive chasm that seemed to go on forever, unending and unceasing. If this place was a memory, this had to be a dream of some sort, Vega thought.

    Where she landed seemed unprepared in a sense. Chunks of rock, stalactites and dripping water in big pools of cave water. Moss grew around the opening, with grass just underneath Vega.

    Despite this, it had a strange quality to it. Like everything here was out of focus, like looking through muddy glass or foggy eyes. Where there should be curves, there were edges. The water had a stuttering moment, like it was taking steps instead of falling normally. But this could not be blamed on her perception, since everything in Obstacle 1 was perfectly fine up until the end. Something was wrong here, like the very world she was in could hardly hold her.

    ¡°Are you alright?¡± Krimm stood over Vega, her arms crossed and staring down with a faint disdain. Feeling a chance to help Krimm get back into an excited groove, Vega jumped up and pulled out a guitar.

    ¡°Ya ready to party!¡± Vega pointed out to Krimm, naively believing that a song might put her in the right mind. Krimm, as you might expect, was not impressed.

    ¡°Right¡­ Well, let¡¯s get this over with.¡± Krimm started marching up to her with her ax in hand. She was going fast, but not with the same burning hatred as before. Vega had genuinely worn her down.

    ¡°Alright!¡± Vega continued, trying to come up with a song on the spot. Starting to play a soft melody, one that fit this unceasing place, it went slow and tender. And just when she expected her hay magics to appear¡­

    Nothing.

    Not even a tuft of hair, or a string of vines.

    ¡°Uh¡­ hold on! I think I¡¯m having a magic malfunction.¡± Vega held out a palm to Krimm, who stared in amazement.

    ¡°Wait, you can¡¯t do magic anymore? But you were just styling on me just¡­ two minutes ago!¡±

    ¡°Sorry? This is my first time-time and-¡±

    ¡°Do not fucking make a sexual innuendo or else I will burn you alive.¡±

    ¡°HOLY SHIT BOTH OF YOU STOP TALKING.¡± The tower spoke again, echoing loud into the ears and the environment. Vega tried to cover her non-existent ears while Krimm plugged her actual ones. ¡°TURNS OUT after multiple years of disrepair, THE MAGIC FROM THE SOUL GEMS CONTAINMAINTED OBSTACLE ONE. SO IF YOU HAVE TROUBLE WITH MAGIC SHIT, THAT¡¯S PROBABLY THE REASON.¡±

    ¡°Was this-this guy like that with ya when ya entered?¡±

    ¡°He was actually nicer.¡±

    ¡°SHUT UP. ANYWAY, SINCE THERE ARE TWO CONSTRUCTS, one OF YOU MOTHERFUCKERS HAVE TO DIE OR BE SEVERELY MAIMED IN ORDER TO CONTINUE.¡±

    ¡°...why?¡± Vega asked with the fiercest confusion possible.

    ¡°Yeah can¡¯t we just-¡± Krimm tried walking forward a couple feet before bumping into a wall. An invisible wall.

    ¡°What the hell?¡± Vega patted her hands where Krimm suddenly bumped into, feeling a smooth, marble like surface. Punching it once, her fist stopped hard. The wall around them was solid and it certainly was going to break just for them.

    ¡°KALIBER DIDN¡¯T MAKE THIS for the other one, BUT FOR THE ONE THAT IS SEARCHING.¡±

    ¡°...other one-one?¡±

    Oh shit. That¡¯s¡­ huh¡­ I think I¡¯m starting to understand this¡­ situation I¡¯m in. But if there¡¯s two that means¡­

    What was I talking about? Oh yeah, the tower being a huge asshole.

    ¡°SO, IN ORDER FOR SOMEONE TO CONTINUE, KILL YOURSELF OR EACHOTHER. I DON¡¯T REALLY CARE BECAUSE I CAN¡¯T verify WHO IS THE REAL ONE.¡±

    The scarecrow and the Assassin gave each other looks of despair. Vega knew without the magic she could produce, she was basically dead. And Krimm really didn¡¯t want to kill Vega, since she was her whole target and everything.

    Then the Assassin came up with an idea.

    ¡°The tower said¡­ maim right?¡±

    ¡°Yeah-yeah?¡±

    ¡°YEAH, MAIM. KALIBER DIDN¡¯T HAVE MONEY TO HAVE THE OBSTACLE CONTAIN two people walking AROUND AT THE SAME TIME. IN FACT, THAT¡¯S THE WHOLE REASON WHY THE WORLD SPLIT APART IN OBSTACLE ONE.¡±

    ¡°It¡¯s not that there are two sentient beings here, but the fact we¡¯re walking?¡± Krimm held out her arms in staunch protest. There had to be a more sophisticated reason than that.

    ¡°YEAH.¡±

    ¡°Not because of the magic-magic stuff breaking or whatever?¡± Vega proposed as well, but the tower was not having it.

    ¡°NO YOU FUCKERS. IT¡¯S WALKING. TURNS OUT HAVE AN ARTIFICIAL SETTING THAT BE CAN BE WALKED ON is fucking EXPENSIVE AND DIFFICULT. GO FIGURE.¡±

    ¡°...Kaliber kinda sucks.¡± Krimm put a hand on her forehead, pinching the bridge of her nose.

    ¡°TELL ME ABOUT.¡±

    ¡°Oh, so that¡¯s the reason for maiming! Yippee!¡± Vega hadn¡¯t cheered like this for a long time. Finally some good news.

    ¡°What is it now?¡± Krimm didn¡¯t even care to stare at Vega.

    ¡°Ya don¡¯t have to kill-kill me, just cut off my legs!¡±

    ¡°...ah! You¡¯re right. Because that will mean there is only one person not walking.¡±

    ¡°Yeah! ¡­wait, hold on!¡± Vega put up her arms in protest, but it was a feeble defense against the Assassin¡¯s axe.

    The scarecrow was cleaved in two. But this time, at least it wasn¡¯t the result of a black powder bomb. I mean, if I was going to bisected twice in a lifetime, I would like to be different on each occasion.

    If I could give an opinion, getting cut in half has to be in my top ten ways to die. At least top five.

    What was I doing? Right, back to the gore.

    Vega finally had the wonderful opportunity of seeing her lower half being detached from her torso. All the string, the hay, and many of her belongings in there splatted outward like guts and flesh. Except this was family friendly.

    ¡°Uh¡­ ya could have just cut my legs off.¡±

    ¡°Yeah. I could have.¡± A sadistic smile rose on Krimm¡¯s face, only slightly. This job would suck, but at least she could now reclaim her dignity.

    ¡°Oh. Oh this-this isn¡¯t so okie dokie.¡±

 Chapter 63: Human Hazards (Part 2!)

    Chapter 63: Human Hazards (Part 2!)

    ¡°Hey Krimm.¡±

    ¡°...¡±

    ¡°Hey Krimm.¡±

    ¡°...¡±

    ¡°Hey-hey Kri-¡±

    ¡°The only reason you¡¯re still alive is because for some reason you¡¯re fucking important.¡±

    ¡°...¡±

    ¡°Can ya stop for a second, my foot¡¯s in my chest again.¡±

    ¡°Again?!¡± Krimm had taken the luxury of not only chopping Vega in half, but tearing her up so fiercely the only parts that remained unscathed were her head and the metal replacements for her limbs.

    Right now, Vega had about twenty percent control of her body. Which meant her eyes, her mouth, and her left hand. The rest were tied together along with all of her belongings. Her chest became a mangled bin of the gold and the trinkets Vega had collected. The sight was unsettling to Vega, but also very interesting.

    In her mind, it was both fun and educational to be ripped to shreds.

    The pickaxe and the guitar she managed to convince Krimm not to break by agreeing not to play any songs or to betray her.

    I mean, it would be pretty hard to betray someone when you have control of one arm, but hey, can¡¯t be too paranoid.

    And Krimm had much reason to be, since the environment was absolutely pants shitting terrifying.

    As soon as Vega was tied onto Krimm¡¯s back, the invisible wall fell and the environment became a lot more stable. None of the same stutters in movement or detail. They were left with no direction aside than the cave surrounding them. Giving it some thought, Krimm decided to search for an exit. The dark. A cruel dark. Dark like no other. An exit, Krimm could not wait for.

    ¡°Can it wait, Vega? Kinda trying to get us out of here?¡± Krimm had shifted her eyesight into dark vision, seeing in shades of gray, which only made it marginally easier to see. But she had to dull her sense of smell, taste, touch, and even hearing a bit. Krimm was focused, and she needed Vega to, in short, shut up.

    The dark wasn¡¯t the only thing that made the Assassin offput. Echoes of voices came and went. Voices she could not understand. Not because of them being in a different language, no. But because of the overwhelming emotion behind them. Like the cave was in a state of emotional explosions.

    ¡°How long will it take-take?¡± Vega asked, giving a light scratch to her head. Not being able to move most of your body was a little boring after a while.

    ¡°Dude¡­ do you not have any idea?¡±

    ¡°No! Right now my head is on your back and foot on ya buttcheek! I can¡¯t see anything!¡±

    ¡°Will you be quiet?¡± Krimm calmly responded.

    Krimm had been privy to emotions. All fairies had to be, it was an unsaid but very important part of the job. Sure, she was a Fliction fairy and served all elf peoples, but she had an identity with the Galtian tribe. One not too unlike Skaldi¡¯s.

    She was a messenger. Kinda like a messenger.

    Acting once as the one translating the talks between gods and mortals, Krimm had always been a middle man. The modem of which beings far above would communicate through.

    In some ways this job was the same. In other ways, it was way different. Regardless of how fun it was to kill people, she understood why she took it originally.

    The scar on her face was a memory. A memory of when the Oligarchy claimed a people. A memory of a people¡¯s end. A memory of when she wasn¡¯t a ghost.

    But reminiscing on memory would have to wait, as she still had to navigate the overwhelming dark. She had plenty of equipment on her, but most of it was for combat. When she tried igniting a flash stick, it was swiftly quashed in the darkness. The difference was comparable to splinters, so she stuck to dark vision.

    The sound wasn¡¯t pleasant, as those echoes reminded her of souls perishing. A sort of quiet humming and the howling of walking became loud. It made her more sensitive. If she could have her way, she would have liked Vega talking. It makes it less alone, less terrible to be alone.

    Every crack in the walls, every droplet threw the Assassin off.

    But to Vega, it was a nice change. She wasn¡¯t in a desert, dehydrated from noise. There was a life here, if faintly. There could be a memory here, if they searched for it properly.

    The scarecrow was searching. The Assassin was running away.

    ¡°I¡¯m.. uh¡­ sorry-sorry.¡±

    ¡°...¡± Krimm really tried not to care right then. She had to focus, had to find a way out. But on the other hand, she wanted to know, why she was sorry.¡±

    ¡°..sorry for what?¡±

    ¡°I kinda went-went overboard with annoying ya. I can tell ya are hurt and all.¡±

    ¡°It¡¯s whatever. Don¡¯t do it again.¡±

    ¡°... aren¡¯t ya gonna say sorry?¡± Vega looked down, laying her hand on the rocky ground. Hoping that her apology would be a bridge of some kind, between these two. Vega thought about it, and they weren¡¯t all that different.

    Well, in the emotional sense, definitely not the physical sense.

    ¡°Sorry for what? For stabbing you a million times?¡±

    ¡°I counted twenty eight.¡± Vega corrected, raising her finger wagging it. Krimm couldn¡¯t see it but could tell it was there by Vega¡¯s ¡®um actually¡¯ voice.

    ¡°You really are stupid, aren¡¯t you? I do it for fun! Why can¡¯t anyone get that?¡±

    ¡°Fun? Hurting people for fun?¡± Vega had a vague chill take her. Not lying, Krimm was. That Assassin was an awful person. But it couldn¡¯t be as simple as that, Vega knew. There was too much sadism, too much anger, too much pain on that face of her¡¯s. And there was a history of people burned in that scar of her¡¯s.

    ¡°Yep. There¡¯s a lot more than just pain there.¡± Krimm suddenly announced.

    ¡°What, did ya just read my mind?¡±

    ¡°Yeah, turns out I¡¯m a psychic.¡± Krimm dryly responded, now treading into an underground river, covering Vega in sour smelling water.

    ¡°REALLY?!¡± Again, Vega was quite excited to hear such a thing, especially relating to a celestial being like Krimm.

    ¡°No? What, I¡¯m not actua-¡±

    ¡°What am I think-thinking right now? No no, what is my favorite food?!¡±

    ¡°...do you even eat?¡± The Assassin stopped in her tracks, gently scanning the river, carefully not to step in deep.

    ¡°Ah, ya got me there.¡±

    ¡°By-look, I¡¯m not a psychic. I just¡­ have good intuition.¡±

    ¡°Oh. So ya have a good idea of-of how to predict certain actions with people, par-particularly relating to what they''re thinking and what they will say?¡±

    ¡°...yeah. That¡¯s actually better than what I could say. What the f-did you just completely and accurately break down my- what the fuck?¡± Leaving her nearly speechless, Krimm shook her head as she walked out of the river. If she could, she would have drowned Vega for her mind scratching understanding of her, but unfortunately for her but luckily for Vega, scarecrows can¡¯t drown.

    A case of content theft: this narrative is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation.

    At least that¡¯s what I¡¯m told. Cannot confirm nor deny.

    ¡°Sorry, it¡¯s just that I-I have good intuition.¡±

    ¡°Stop trying to be cute. What do you want to ask?¡± Krimm shook herself off the water in her outfit and kept moving. She did not know when those echoes would return, so she wished to hear Vega¡¯s voice again.

    ¡°Do ya-¡°

    ¡°Before you continue, you only get three.¡±

    ¡°Come on! We¡¯re gonna-gonna be here a while, might as well get to know each other?¡± Vega tried to put her hands together in a sly fashion but only managed to get one hand.

    ¡°No.¡±

    ¡°Okay¡­ where do ya come from?¡± Vega didn¡¯t want to make it easy for Krimm to sneak away from the questions, so she put her strong foot forward.

    Well, what remained of her strong foot.

    ¡°I come from a lot of places.¡±

    ¡°Dude!¡±

    ¡°No, I¡¯m not fucking with you, that¡¯s how I was literally born. How to say¡­ Iozian spirits, nymphs or whatever you guys worship are born from saints or other spirits¡­ right?¡± Krimm wasn¡¯t privy to explaining her origins to people, so it came with a bit of awkwardness. That very awkwardness made Vega feel more comfortable, that Krimm could be relatable in some way.

    ¡°Kinda sorta.¡± Vega snapped her fingers at her.

    ¡°I was assembled. Fairies are sorta creations. Where others are made by love, others like me are made by purpose.¡±

    ¡°Like a tool? And by the way, that doesn¡¯t count-count as a question.¡±

    ¡°Whatever-but no. Not a tool, more¡­ art? We¡¯re put together with the strength of mountains, the longevity of wind, the energy of fire, and¡­ the heart of the elvish peoples. From all over the continent, I was made.¡±

    ¡°Huh.¡±

    ¡°What, going to make a joke?¡± Krimm prepared for anything Vega could come up, ready to deliver an insult.

    ¡°Nah, it sounds pretty nice.¡±

    ¡°Oh.¡±

    ¡°... I feel something.¡± The scarecrow said, sensing an approaching force. Krimm turned around, feeling what could only be described as a whirlwind of emotion. Anger, love, hope, fear, all compacted in a wind of echoes.

    Ducking behind a boulder, Krimm waited for it to pass. Droplets of sweat and pain formed all over her, as she rejected the sudden emotional shock. Hot and cold at the same time. Burning and freezing. The echo passed them, but they believed they had far more to go. The Assassin wanted out.

    A couple hours had passed, but it felt like a couple days to both of them. Of course in all that darkness, they had no sense of time.

    Every water droplet, every cavern they ventured into, it all meant the same thing. They were lost, and it wasn¡¯t the path they were trying to find, but the fact that there wasn¡¯t a path.

    A wear and tear on their emotions, a cosmic exhaustion. Like a thousand pounds were placed on their heads.

    After she passed by another echo, Krimm was forced by her body to fall forward. Her legs gave out. She stopped.

    ¡°...Krimm?¡±

    ¡°... I hate this.¡±

    ¡°Yeah, I getcha.¡± Vega laid on her back, trying to stretch out her arm in a vague act to relax. It worked a little bit, but not enough.

    ¡°To be honest, I don¡¯t think we¡¯re getting out of here.¡± The Assassin closed her eyes and let out a tired laugh.

    ¡°Is that a bad-bad thing? It¡¯s not like anything good is happening out there?¡± Vega sarcastically replied, imagining everything the party is doing. Working hard to defend Uvi Jantok, preparing and working with the Oligarchs. Being heroes and stuff. While here she was stuck in a big fucking hole.

    ¡°Yeah. I could be getting wasted. Or stalking people. Or killing them.¡±

    ¡°Ya are really unhealthy, aren¡¯t ya?¡±

    ¡°I try to be.¡± Krimm laughed some more, her eyes closing. She let go of her sense¡¯s powers, allowing herself to be unfocused. As all of her senses returned to normal, everything has a weak bliss to it. The air was cool and breezy, and the ground was cold. She could sense that those echoes were far off, so Krimm let go and tried to sleep, but her body was too stressed already. Too wound up.

    ¡°Ya are too wound up to go to sleep.¡± Vega said, trying to see in all the darkness. ¡°Mind if I asked ya those last two questions?¡±

    ¡°Normally, I might say no, but I am way too bored. Go right ahead. I don¡¯t care.¡±

    ¡°Hmmm¡­ do ya like anyone?¡±

    ¡°Wha-what? Like anyone, what are we, children?¡± Krimm, surprised by the topic, felt Vega stare down at her realizing she was meaning in general. ¡°Oh! I got it.¡±

    ¡°Yeah, anyone ya like? What about that Runtaii guy, don¡¯t ya work for him too?¡±

    ¡°Not really, I mean for the working part. All Assassins bow down to Ani, he essentially owns us. What am I saying, he justs owns us.¡± She thought that she¡¯d be revealing too much information right then, but she could hardly care. If they got out, Vega couldn¡¯t run away. If they even got out.

    ¡°Still not-not answering the question.¡± Vega twisted a bit to poke Krimm¡¯s head.

    ¡°Fine-Runtaii is kinda cool. Compared to the other Patriarchs he¡¯s alright. Most either sit on their asses or are way too damn proud. Runtaii is¡­ human? Like, he¡¯s genuine about what he wants and he plans on it. He¡¯s not gonna stab you in the back, he¡¯s too busy stabbing you in the front.¡±

    ¡°Cool-cool, but he¡¯s more-more like a co-worker.¡±

    ¡°If that¡¯s what you call a warmonger that¡¯s planning to invade an entire city, then yes.¡±

    ¡°Yeah, but anyone else?¡± Vega turned back, allowing Krimm a few moments to think.

    ¡°Let¡¯s see¡­ Sabere was okay?¡±

    ¡°Who-who?¡±

    ¡°That guy you killed with a pickaxe?¡± Krimm tried to remind her, but Vega could vaguely remember.

    ¡°That doesn¡¯t really narrow it down. Oh, that guy at that island port, he was a dick-dickwad.¡±

    ¡°Yeah, but he was smart. A little.¡± Krimm started to feel a bit sad. Most of the people she had relations with were either brutal bastards or dead bastards. Her work didn¡¯t leave much time to find genuine friendships. But still, she could not suppress her annoyance with Vega''s social life.

    ¡°Come on, there¡¯s got to be someone!¡±

    ¡°...Ani. Ani is¡­ the closest thing.¡± The Assassin wasn¡¯t lying. She wasn¡¯t using subterfuge, playing any tricks, nothing. Her feelings were laid true on the dark ground.

    ¡°Hey, I got it. Ya don¡¯t need to elaborate.¡±

    ¡°...Thanks.¡± She wasn¡¯t being sarcastic. She appreciated this break in questioning. For a couple moments, Krimm wondered if she should ask Vega some questions as well. But she could tell that those questions would make her feel terrible about her life as well.

    A scarecrow was living a better life than her.

    ¡°Ya know¡­ I think I figured it out.¡±

    ¡°Figured what out?¡±

    ¡°These places. They¡¯re supposed to represent memories or whatever. But they¡¯re obviously distorted somehow.¡±

    ¡°I guess so. Memories are not perfect. They¡¯re influenced by perspective and reflection. Point being?¡± Krimm understood what Vega was trying to say, but not what it was leading to.

    ¡°These memories aren¡¯t ours, but we forced our way out in the first place.¡± Vega argued, tracing the brim of her hat.

    ¡°Yeah, because of the Soul Gems disturbing the environment, not because of anything we did.¡±

    ¡°No, ya got it the wrong way. Soul Gems didn¡¯t break it, we did!¡± Vega cheered, finally showing the point she was getting at.

    To change a memory¡¯s purpose. A memory¡¯s format. A memory¡¯s way out.

    ¡°Holy shit, that might actually be the fucking answer. Now, how the fuck do we break this?¡±

    ¡°We¡¯re in a cave-cave, right?¡±

    ¡°Yeah?¡±

    ¡°And what do people do in caves?¡± Vega asked, trying to spur Krimm¡¯s creativity.

    ¡°Uhh, go in them?¡±

    ¡°Now, ya dig! And what do ya dig with?¡±

    ¡°A shovel?¡± Krimm slowly stepped up and turned to Vega, hoping that she was right.

    The scarecrow looked at the Assassin with so much disappointment before handing her the pickaxe.

    ¡°Oh! I see. Well shit let¡¯s try it.¡± Krimm grabbed onto the pickaxe and was immediately pulled back to the ground. ¡°Holy shit, this weighs a ton!¡±

    ¡°Does it? I thought it weighed a couple pounds.¡±

    ¡°No, this is so fucking heavy? What is this made out of?!¡± Krimm strained to give the pickaxe back to Vega who received it with grace.

    ¡°Huh, I guess I never gave the pickaxe to anyone. Neat.¡± Vega felt a minor pride that she was able to wield such a heavy object.

    ¡°Can you do the swinging while I do the looking for a wall?¡±

    ¡°Sure-sure.¡± Vega held the pickaxe as best as she could. Of course, using it with one hand was going to be uncomfortable, but all she wanted to do was to make a way out.

    Running fast and with remaining energy, Krimm rushed forward before she rammed head first into a wall.

    ¡°Found it.¡± She gave a weak thumbs up before getting and turning around. With enough space between her and the wall, Vega started swinging hard and fast. Chunks of rock scattered and fell, and she could immediately feel there was a hollowness to it.

    ¡°Oh yeah, I was right!¡±

    ¡°Uhh¡­ something¡¯s not right.¡±

    ¡°What¡¯s not¡­ oh shit-shit.¡± Both of them could sense it. Another echo, more powerful than all they had passed. Like a whimpering cry, one that accompanies a great despair.

    ¡°Can you go a little faster?¡± Krimm backed away slightly.

    ¡°Try-trying to!¡± Vega swung more desperately, feeling that echo come closer and closer still, feeling the tendrils of its despair on the back of her head.

    For a second, it felt futile. This echo of memory would consume her. It would take all of what she could be and reduced to a single event of pain. That she, ultimately, wouldn¡¯t mattered.

    In the next second, she sang something.

    ¡°Guide¡­ my¡­ way¡­ out¡­ OF¡­ THIS¡­ PLACE¡­¡±

    With one last strike, the cave walls broke open and they were both set free.

    Pulled into a shining tunnel by a heavy but tender wind, the two floated along. Barely able to escape but glad they were able to nonetheless.

    ¡°HOLY SHIT THAT TOOK WAY TOO FUCKING LONG. OBSTACLE TWO COMPLETE. TAKING constructs to OBSTACLE THREE.¡±

    The voice of the tower was refreshing, showing that they were safe in an odd way. They had no clue how much longer they would stay in the tower, or how many more obstacles they would face, but that didn¡¯t matter then. They managed to succeed despite that dark.

    A faint hope grew inside. Inside of Krimm, her memory of her people could be more than just pain. That it could be more than what she saw it as.

    Vega had an identical feeling, more that inspired a vague sisterhood between the two.

    That she could be more than what was inflicted onto her.

 Chapter 64: Neo Rem Day (Part 1!)

    Chapter 64: Neo Rem Day (Part 1!)

    For Vega, it was only a couple hours since she entered Kaliber''s tower.

    For Skaldi, it had been a day.

    The team had a mood of anxiety in all of them. This was not according to plan and definitely not something like had a plan B for.

    Sure, they appreciated the vague sense of extra room in the tower, that the air flowed a tad better without the scarecrow. Finally, the last throes of winter ended and a wind of warmth started to take Uvi Jantok. If it was a little stronger, it could almost fill her absence. It could perhaps fill the place that would be inhabited by her smile.

    The question was hanging in the air, suspended by the threads of trusting in Vega. Could she do it? That she¡¯d find her way? In her own way?

    Skaldi, trying to put off the task of looking for Vega, had been playing cards with Valiato, sipping the tea Amir had brought that morning. Florato, Amir, and Bolato were talking about their next plan of action, looking over the tasks they needed to complete. Sorbet decided to watch over the elf and the kid, being the calmest out of all of them.

    ¡°Is this what people do when they¡¯re bored?¡±

    ¡°Not always. We would use money to bet, but Ska doesn¡¯t want me to.¡± Valiato said annoyed, unhappy without the excitement of cash on the line.

    ¡°Cool looking pebbles are a good replacement. Besides, this is the one thing me and Amir actually agree. You won¡¯t be gambling.¡±

    ¡°Tibato loves to gamble, in fact, aside from all that gross stuff he does in the chambers, that''s what he usually does.¡± Sorbet told, stretching out and laying on her back.

    ¡°Really didn¡¯t need to know that.¡± Skaldi shook his head, taking another sip of tea.

    ¡°S-sorry, just don¡¯t have many topics of conversation that don''t involve the guy. What should I talk about?¡±

    ¡°Talk about what you like, I guess?¡± Valiato shrugged, winning the pebbles for this round. They were really cool pebbles.

    ¡°Huh¡­ I like Vega. She¡¯s cool.¡± Sorbet said comfortably, making the room go silent for a moment. She didn¡¯t realize it until a couple seconds after the fact. ¡°Oh, I really suck at this whole talking thing.¡±

    ¡°Sorbet, it¡¯s not your fault.¡± Florato wiped her forehead of sweat, speaking in a sympathetic tone. ¡°It¡¯s just we¡¯re a little worried, that¡¯s all.¡±

    ¡°She doesn¡¯t really go on her own for this long. At most it¡¯s half a day like last time, but a whole day is a lot.¡± Putting a hand on his chin, Bolato spoke while staring down at where Kaliber¡¯s second tower should have been.

    ¡°Last time were those mermaids Skaldi talked about?¡± Sorbet asked, still a bit out of the loop on the team¡¯s history.

    ¡°Yeah¡­ she doesn¡¯t like to be alone for long.¡± Skaldi scratched his head, feeling embarrassed. He knew what the option was. But they said they wanted Vega to do this on her own. His words echoed in his mind. Can you do that for us Vega? Can you do that for yourself? ¡°She doesn¡¯t like to be alone, not after that Voice started talking more often.¡±

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    ¡°We can wait one more day. After that, we go after her and find out what happened.¡± Bolato ordered, speaking as the team''s compass. There was no disagreement with the idea of looking for her, but if there was a reason to look, beyond being uneasy.

    ¡°It doesn¡¯t have to be a bad thing. I don¡¯t think anything has happened. Maybe getting in is difficult or something.¡± The actress crossed her arms, wanting everything with Vega to be okay.

    ¡°Florato, you already saw how Skaldi and Valiato came back. The literal smoke and rubble on them. We can¡¯t take chances on this, the Assassin might be after her.¡±

    ¡°Bolato¡­¡± Florato tried to plead, for a sense of calm. A false one.

    ¡°Skaldi said the Assassin is big business, that she¡¯s dangerous.¡±

    ¡°Sure¡­ but she wouldn¡¯t do anything to Vega. Even if she did, she has no way out, there are no ships coming in.¡± Florato looked down, holding her shoulders. The actress understood the risks well, she only wanted them all to stay calm.

    ¡°We can¡¯t risk waiting too long. After tomorrow, we¡¯ll go after her.¡± Bolato waved her off, dismissing any attempt to feign normality. He went back to work, with Florato reluctantly following, drawing lines and notes on the map.

    Skaldi hadn¡¯t mentioned a key part of their trip to Silker City, the part including Vega¡¯s supposed appearance. There was a disturbing doubt, piled on by Vega¡¯s magical outburst and the increased chatter by the Voice. One that he understood was the cause of worry and had no real claim to be reality.

    He knew, with all his heart, that it was the Assassin who took on Vega¡¯s appearance. Who tried to assassinate Valiato and him. But he could not quell the idea that somehow, it was that the real Vega was becoming dangerous.

    In his rational mind, he understood that it was impossible for Vega to suddenly appear in Silker City, along with having an assortment of black powder bombs. It wasn¡¯t that he worried that Vega tried to murder him, but that Vega might become who the Assassin was that day.

    That if left alone for too long, the Voice might take over. That the Voice might possibly turn his friend into a killer. Into something less than what she wanted to be.

    ¡°Ehh¡­ it will work out. It always has.¡± Skaldi muttered, starting another round of cards.

    ¡°I¡¯m not so sure about that, but hey, I can¡¯t gamble money so maybe my opinion doesn¡¯t matter.¡± Valiato said half jokingly, rolling her eyes as she did.

    Skaldi wanted to do the wedding ring plan for today, but without Vega being there, it would be kinda lonely. Sure, he and Bolato did do a mock marriage in a ruined cathedral, but that hardly counted. Back then there was a cute moment between the two. This wedding ring was meant to be shared.

    What had also had to be shared was the responsibility for the plan. He and Valiato decided that after the destruction they would head home early, so they didn¡¯t have the time to scout out the Lai family.

    Being nearly blown up doesn¡¯t necessarily lead to someone being ready for work most of the time.

    Despite this, Skaldi understood he had to do something. Bolato had been making good progress on his side of the plan, getting to know the local gangs. But the elf could tell there was growing frustration in his voice.

    ¡°We still have no black powder. That Oligarch fucker on the wall has a choke hold on all miltary goods. And worst thing about it, he doesn¡¯t give a fucking damn about the people he rules over.¡±

    ¡°Hey, we¡¯ll figure it out. We got time.¡± Florato put a hand on Bolato¡¯s shoulder, which he accepted. Skaldi wanted to assure him that they needed to not worry, that they had all the time in the world. But really, Skaldi felt it, felt all that was at stake. If they weren¡¯t going to go after Vega, he could at least make some progress on some of the other tasks.

    Getting up with a swift movement, he finished the game and started walking over to the cart. Putting on all of his combat gear, his bandolier of throwing knives, and his fabulous bag of handing, Skaldi prepared to head out.

    ¡°Where are you going Ska?¡± Valiato asked, stuffing the very cool pebbles into her pocket, next to the rock bullets for her sling.

    ¡°I¡¯m going to check out the Cloud District. And no, you aren¡¯t coming.¡±

    ¡°Why not?¡± She got up, trying to goad him into letting her come. Skaldi saw this and immediately refused.

    ¡°Because we nearly died and you haven¡¯t recovered fully. Plus, I¡¯ll be fine on my own.¡± Skaldi crossed his arms and bowed downward to Valiato¡¯s height. She responded by also crossing her arms and pouting.

    Skaldi wondered, wondering if he should really go alone. He was just one person. Perhaps he might make a mistake as well, perhaps the mistake that Vega is making. But he could not imagine if Vega had truly done something wrong.

    Her only crime was existing. Well, a couple other things, but mostly existing.

    As he walked towards the door, he found a mildly encouraging idea, if you could call it that.

    No doubt a lot of people you know and love are going to fucking die if you don¡¯t act. Better to move than to hesitate.

    Better to stumble on your path than to never walk it at all.

    ¡°Hold on Skaldi, I want to join!¡±

    Fuck! I was working on a cliffhanger there!

 Chapter 64: Neo Rem Day (Part 2!)

    Chapter 64: Neo Rem Day (Part 2!)

    Turns out Sorbet followed Skaldi as he was planning to head out. Not only him, but Amir too.

    At least Skaldi won¡¯t have to walk alone. Hell, the other two might be nice to have. Nothing like a huge Tripolian and an ice cream lady as company when you¡¯re doing a stealth mission!

    ¡°Wait, what?¡± Skaldi turned his head only, seeing Amir and Sorbet behind him. What was surprising is that Sorbet had swapped her clothing and was now wearing an oversized armor set that looked like it would fit Bolato better. ¡°What the fuck are you wearing?¡±

    ¡°Uhh¡­ armor?¡±

    ¡°Yeah, I can see that. But you¡¯re wearing-look, I¡¯ll just buy something your size.¡±

    ¡°Oh, cool!¡± Sorbet, surprisingly with little effort, tossed the chest plate over her head and towards Florato, who barely caught it.

    ¡°Geez, what are you guys doing? You going to head out?¡± Florato asked, gently setting the chest plate down. Bolato didn¡¯t turn to listen, and continued work on the map, which made Skaldi slightly uneasy.

    ¡°I¡¯m gonna finish checking out the Cloud District and see if we can get anything on the Lai family. If we¡¯re going to wait for Vega, we might as well get shit done.¡±

    ¡°Alright, you guys be careful. Also, take this!¡± Florato grabbed a ball from the table and tossed it to Skaldi. He reached out to grab it, but it was Amir that snatched it just before his face.

    ¡°What¡¯s this? Please tell me it''s black powder!¡± Sorbet excitedly stared at the ball, which also made Skaldi a bit more nervous.

    ¡°No, but it¡¯s sort of similar. I saw Skaldi had that book, was it alchemy or something? Whatever it was, I think you could probably learn how to make one of those. It¡¯s a smoke bomb.¡±

    ¡°Smoke bomb huh? It¡¯s not make up or face oil, but it will have to do. Bolato stole this, right?¡± Skaldi looked at its thin metal surface and the tiny button on it, before looking at Bolato for confirmation.

    ¡°You know it sweetie.¡± Bolato replied with a thumbs up.

    ¡°Cool! Thanks Florato.¡± Sorbet gave a sweet smile which made Florato feel all the more warm. Skaldi rolled his eye but found that Amir was staring at him. He wasn¡¯t sure if it was his eye or his eyepatch.

    ¡°...what is it Amir?¡± Skaldi turned slightly and tilted his head at them both. Amir responded by holding a piece of paper out towards Skaldi¡¯s face. It read¡­

    I¡¯m really bored and tired and we aren¡¯t doing anything. Time waits for no one. Also the green haired one wants to help and repay Vega.

    Translated by Valiato. Have fun Ska!

    ¡°Huh. Alright, fine. Nothing says ¡®we are trustworthy¡¯ to watchmen like having a Tripolian next to you. Fuck it! Why not?¡± The redhead threw his hands in the air and kicked open the door. Sorbet joined in raising her hands and smiled, happy to finally be helping out. Amir¡­ well¡­ he just didn¡¯t say anything and followed them out.

    What they saw outside was less than what they expected and perhaps more than what they needed.

    Troops marched in lockstep, their spears and helmets decorated with garlands and flowers, as the people stood around from the streets, their windows, and even the rooftops. The people threw down ripped sheets of multi-colored paper, also with similar flowers. Cheering was to be heard and alongside the soldiers were bands of musicians, playing loud and bombastic tunes.

    ¡°Holy shit!¡± Skaldi had to cover his ears, with Amir doing the same. Sorbet stepped out in front of them and held her mouth open with awe. ¡°I didn¡¯t even hear the band while we were inside!¡±

    ¡°It''s a celebration! Or a festival! Or both?¡± Sorbet announced, hardly able to keep her eyes on one thing. Amir shook his head as he shut the door behind them. As the soldiers and musicians continued to march by, the music died down enough so that they didn¡¯t have to yell to hear each other.

    ¡°Yeah. Whatever it is, it just might be the perfect cover for checking out the Lai family. Hell, we could maybe get a lot more done today. Let¡¯s go.¡± Skaldi waved them forward as he began wading through crowds. Sorbet, making the decision for both of them, held onto Amir¡¯s back as he walked, in order to not get lost.

    ¡°Let¡¯s do this big guy.¡±

    ¡°~Whatever you¡¯re saying, it sounds nice.~¡± The three started passing through the crowds, moving in the direction of Silker City. Although their movement was slowed by the many people inhabiting the streets, Amir¡¯s intimidating appearance made those people step aside easily and with no question.

    Jarring, the amount of joy that was in front of them. Smiles, people feasting and drinking cider together, and this collective cheer that inhabited their path. And yet, Skaldi sensed, there was something wrong.

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    A wave of anxiety that was just as present, likely due to the recent bombings yesterday. This frantic movement in the eyes, how people ate and drank so much and yet still seemed so thin and hungry. That this celebration was a feigned effort to conceal the very real dangers that were approaching. That they might all be dead soon.

    But who fucking cares about that? The partying seemed to drown this notion. Regardless, it was a little funny to Skaldi. The streets once so quiet and bare and empty were now so packed with noise till bursting. If anything, he was a little grateful.

    ¡°Sorbet, you got the map?¡±

    ¡°Yep, we¡¯re only a couple more miles from the location.¡± She checked out the tiny sheet of paper, looking up and down from it to check if they were passing the right landmarks, which they were.

    ¡°Cool, because I got a shitty idea. Well, it will be shitty if someone decides to fuck with us, but its a pretty good idea.¡± Skaldi motioned with his hand like it was so-so.

    ¡°I don¡¯t like shit, but I¡¯ll listen.¡± Sorbet replied. Skaldi looked for a few seconds before finding a tall enough building. He opened the door and found a few folks hanging out, likely too interested in partying to give them any trouble. Guiding them upwards, Skaldi brought them to the rooftop.

    ¡°~Oh, I see. The boy wants us to jump, saving time. If I die from falling, I¡¯ll kill him.~¡±

    ¡°Whatever you¡¯re saying, it sounds funny.¡± Sorbet said, approaching the edge of the roof. Even though they were just thirty feet above, the view was awful.

    I mean, it was full of awe-nevermind.

    It appeared that it wasn¡¯t only Gambler City but the entirety of Uvi Jantok was in celebration. Everywhere there were columns of soldiers and people following them. To Skaldi, there was a clear destination for them all. That extension from the black wall that stood far above and seemed to be the only connection from Jantok Sky and Rock. For the elf, all of it felt too much, like a flood of festivities.

    ¡°~Bah! Iozians. Celebrate when they should be reflecting on themselves.~¡± Amir threw his hand out, annoyed that this is the city he got stuck in. Skaldi could see this and shook his head.

    ¡°Nothing we can do about it. All we can do is get to Silker City. Come on.¡±

    Two hours had passed, and for the three it felt like days. Jumping from rooftop to rooftop wasn¡¯t an easy feat, much less sustainable. Skaldi could keep up the pace, but Sorbet and Amir took longer than he did. Through a combination of not wanting to fall to your death, being asthmatic, and  getting really fucking tired, they were far more cautious.

    Regardless, the three managed to reach the paper mill, or what was left of it.

    ¡°You said that this part of the district was bombed, right?¡± Sorbet asked, as the three walked up to the steps of it. Head sized debris littered the stairs and the doors were in splitters. If there was one similarity before it got destroyed, water kept rushing in streams, falling out of the pipes and making puddles on the ground.

    ¡°Yep. Didn¡¯t get a good look while we were running away. Not that we could.¡± They entered, seeing most of the assembly lines turned to rubble, either blackened or ashened. Faint clouds of dust lingered, which made all three sneeze as they looked around. Surprisingly, the old tiles still remained and Sorbet decided to take a seat.

    ¡°Shoot. All this destruction and for what? Do you think the Assassin was trying to kill you?¡± The ice cream lady brushed her thumb along some of the ruins, picking off a streak of ash.

    ¡°Probably, but that couldn¡¯t have been it. Sure, she threw a bomb at us, but she didn¡¯t finish the job. I think she wants us to be scared¡­ for some reason.¡±

    ¡°So it¡¯s either she wanted you dead or wanted you scared? People are very confusing.¡±

    ¡°Tell me about it.¡± Skaldi shrugged, checking out the staircase that led to the balcony. Most of it was intact but not enough for all three to go on before it broke. And Skaldi didn¡¯t not want to pull someone up or be pulled up.

    As he thought about the rest of the trip to the Cloud District, Amir stepped in front of him. He could only see that sliver of face between his nose and forehead, coated in that green makeup. Amir¡¯s eyes were strong and wanted to tell himself, but Skaldi wondered what it was.

    ¡°~...Thank you¡­~¡± The Tripolian spoke, putting a hand on the elf¡¯s shoulder before turning away. He didn¡¯t know the words, but he understood the feeling. Skaldi had protected Valiato, had defended her and she defended him.

    He knew that it was Valiato that told a probably highly embellished story about Skaldi¡¯s heroic deeds, how he was so cool, yadda yadda. But the small gesture Amir gave was strangely calming. Even if he had faced death yesterday, someone had appreciated his effort.

    If anything, Amir displayed a glimmer of vulnerability, one that Skaldi was rarely shown. That made it all worth it. Not gold, not titles, not anything material. A simple thank you helped remind him to believe. That they can make a path forward. Be it alone or together.

    That there is a future to behold.

    ¡°Amir, do you like ice cream?¡± Sorbet suddenly asked, making the elf and Tripolian slowly turn their heads towards her.

    ¡°What?¡± Skaldi squinted at her, dumbfounded that she interrupted an intimate moment.

    ¡°Because Vega said ice cream tastes good, and I kinda want to go get some. You guys wouldn¡¯t mind if we do that?¡±

    ¡°...¡±

    With very heavy stomps, Amir began walking towards Sorbet. Skaldi, feeling properly spooked, got in front of and started to push him back. Which only lasted a second before Amir kept moving to Sorbet.

    ¡°Hold on! Do not do anything violent! She¡¯s just dumb!¡±

    ¡°~Move aside.~¡± Amir, lifting him like a cat, placed Skaldi behind him before standing two feet away from Sorbet.

    ¡°...bleh!¡± She stuck out her tongue, hoping that Amir would laugh at the gesture. He didn¡¯t.

    And what happened next, shocked Skaldi so much, he thought he hallucinated.

    ¡°Gay.¡± Amir spoke his first word of Iozian and pointed at Sorbet.

    ¡°...no, gay is kinda of a different thing. But close! Gay is that guy!¡± Sorbet pointed at Skaldi, who would had his jaw on the floor.

    ¡°...haha¡­ Haha. Haha!¡± Amir bent backward, putting both hands on his mouth. Sorbet joined in with laughing, while Amir put his arm around her shoulder. ¡°Haha! HAHAH! GAY!¡±

    Skaldi crossed his arms and snickered. Sure, they might be different and fools in all types of ways, but he wouldn¡¯t trade them for anything. The elf joined in with the laughter, with each person pointing at each other and calling the other gay.

    If Amir trusted him, he could trust himself to act. And he could believe, nay, know that Vega would find her way.

    He knows he can walk the path alone, but he knows that walking it with others makes it far more bearable.

 1 Year Anniversary!

    One year ago, August 5th, 2023, there was a lonely Century Robot.

    On that day, began something new. Something greater. Something involving a scarecrow.

    On that day, Century Robot started the writing for Vega of the Wastes.

    Now away with this silly intro, I would like to thank every person that has taken the time and read my fiction. It is really a dream to have people read my stuff and I am so glad that I can make you smile... most of the time.

    If you discover this narrative on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the violation.

    Thank you for leaving comments, thank you for viewing, and thank you to those that send letters to me. No matter what you do, I appreciate it.

    Over this year, I have grown a lot as a person and a writer. There was a lot of struggle, a lot of laziness, a lot of cursing and non descript violence. And there was a lot of happiness. And I couldn''t have done it without you, my readers.

    Every chapter, every page, every paragraph, and every word, and every letter is a piece of me, and to see that some ninety people follow and some twenty favorite it is wild!

    I''m so glad to have written something interesting enough to have captured your attention.

    Anyways, aside from all that sentimental shit, I have a gift for you!

    Thank you for reading Vega of the Wastes!

    There will be more chapters coming soon, so stay tuned!

    Remember, the best is yet to come!

 Chapter 65: Field of Endless Futures

    Chapter 65: Field of Endless Futures

    Now, as the three fuckers on the surface were calling each other gay, you¡¯d might be expecting Vega and Krimm to be, I don¡¯t know, doing something important with their lives.

    But as you might also expect, trying to do something important while being carried through a tunnel of air is a little hard. So please, don¡¯t blame them.

    As they flew through the tunnel, the scarecrow took to reading. The book that she had gotten from the Tripolian shopkeeper wasn¡¯t relevant to this particular situation. Well, there aren¡¯t too many books about being sliced to pieces and being held hostage by an elf fairy, so let¡¯s be fair. But the book was related to Kaliber.

    The book, binded in a cheap animal skin, was a sort of abridged history on Tripolian studies of philosophy and science, where Kaliber was included as a footnote right next to Ani Arma¡¯s gigantic chapter about ¡®How One Should Rule¡¯. Yes it included a lot of genocide, yes multiple crimes against sentience. And multiple recipes on candy delights. Take that as you will.

    But there had to be more, it couldn¡¯t have been a simple book. Searching any information about Kaliber she could, Vega wouldn¡¯t leave any stone unturned, especially since she had nothing better to do.

    ¡°Ya heard any good-good stories?¡±

    ¡°Dude¡­ no? What- I don¡¯t get you.¡± Krimm didn¡¯t bother to turn to speak, only blankly staring down the tunnel they were flying through.

    ¡°I think that¡¯s the reason why ya like ya job. Don¡¯t need-need to get people. Just kill!¡±

    ¡°IF YOU FUCKERS KEEP TALKING, THE ONLY things THAT ARE GOING TO GET KILLED ARE YOU.¡± The tower¡¯s voice thundered, making Krimm cover her ears. ¡°ALSO GOOD NEWS FUCKERS, NEXT OBSTACLE IS AS MESSED UP. THE RENDERING ISN¡¯T A problem ANYMORE.¡±

    The two, not waiting to bait out the tower¡¯s wrath, kept quiet. Vega felt that this announcement still didn¡¯t matter since she no longer had function of most of her body.

    ¡°HOLY SHIT YOU GUYS ARE ASSHOLES. SO NOW YOU GUYS CAN WALK AROUND. HOWEVER, I THINK YOU ARE REACHING THE END. WHICH MEANS THE BUDGET EXPENDED FOR THIS PLACE IS JUST ABOUT DONE. SO good luck.¡±

    ¡°...can¡­ can we talk now-¡± Krimm slowly started speaking again before a blaring horn-like noise flooded their ears. Like a herd of elephants all trumpeted at the same time, and the sound kept reflecting off each other, never growing quieter.

    As the horns blared, the tunnel darkened and the wind grew heavy and more powerful. If she wasn¡¯t tied to Krimm¡¯s black, Vega might have split apart and flew into a hundred million directions. A hurricane of night wind, and it felt like it would last an eternity. That she would not survive.

    But the tower wouldn¡¯t let her break apart. Not when she was so close to finding out what Kaliber had left for her.

    In the darkness, Vega came upon a strange sensation. One that held a familiarity. Was it anger? Was it fear? Perhaps it was a combination of emotional distress, or even relief. Whatever it is, there arrived a bonding in her soul. Alike with when she had managed to use magic back in the first obstacle.

    No one could have seen it. But however it happened, Vega was able to recover. Because of that, she felt grateful for having emotions.

    Her body felt heavy yet comfortable, resting on some plush soft matter. There were jabs of spikes into her, likely a plant. As she opened her eyes, Vega found herself surrounded by a field unlike any other. All around, to the horizon, the scarecrow was in a field of endless roses.

    Another thing, she was no longer ripped apart. Where there were tears and broken limbs, her body was fixed, as if she had never been harmed by Krimm at all.

    ¡°WOOOOOOO! I¡¯m not broke-broken! Alright!¡±

    ¡°Whu¡­ where am I?¡± Vega heard Krimm¡¯s voice behind her. Sparing little effort, she ran up to the Assassin and hoisted her up.

    ¡°Look, I¡¯m normal again! And at no cost of the environment!¡±

    ¡°SHUT UP. THERE IS ALSO A PROBLEM WITH THIS OBSTACLE TOO.¡± The tower interrupted, its voice far less powerful, to the point of sounding muffled and underground. ¡°THERE¡¯S A SPECIFIC SOUL GEM HERE THAT¡¯S REALLY messed up BUT I DON¡¯T KNOW HOW. OR WHERE IT IS. SO GOOD FUCKING LUCK, YOU GUYS ARE GOING TO NEED IT.¡±

    ¡°Oh¡­ well at least I¡¯m fixed. That¡¯s good, right?¡± Vega tried to kickstart a sense of relief in Krimm, putting her arm over her shoulder. But she appeared to be occupied. Her eyes were wide open, taking in this beautiful field. But the look on her face wasn¡¯t that of awe or wonder.

    Her emotions were that of shock.

    ¡°What¡­ no. This can¡¯t be it. Can it?¡± Krimm walked forward before meeting the stump of a tree. She stepped onto it and her head turned from left to right, as if trying to take in all of what she was seeing. Vega didn¡¯t know what, but felt that this place was either a strange reminder or a straight out memory of a particular place that Krimm recognized.

    Fearful that Krimm might break her apart just for the fun of it, Vega tested out her guitar, playing it low so that Krimm might not hear it. She strummed the strings, giving off a faint buzz sound. But no vines or hay grew on or around her.

    ¡°Aw dang it. Well, Krimm. Do ya want to get this over with or-¡± The Assassin threw off a knife which Vega was barely able to catch. Well, I say catch but it was more like stabbed into her hand instead of her face. Vega readied herself for combat but Krimm did not move from the stump.

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    After waiting for the fight that never came, Vega understood what Krimm was doing. She wasn¡¯t looking, she was listening. Attempting to hear, be a voice, a conversation, perhaps her name.

    Sitting down and taking the rose from her head, Vega decided to compare the rose to the flowers. And it didn¡¯t take long for Vega to find similarities for her rose and another in the field. If this field was related to Krimm, Vega imagined herself a tad closer to her.

    And because of that relation, Vega wondered what the right words were, to tell Krimm. Krimm isn¡¯t a good person. She¡¯s a bitter killer that finds fun in hurting others.

    But the look on her face made her think that despite her being a fairy, a literal celestial being, she had been trying to figure things out. That she was just a young girl, just like herself.

    Vega looked up at Krimm and wondered about her fate, if Krimm¡¯s life is to be her own. To be a tool for some evil man.

    ¡°...Hey Krimm-Krimm.¡±

    ¡°...¡±

    ¡°It¡¯s going to be okay¡­¡±

    ¡°...Let¡¯s keep going.¡±

    Walking in a random direction, the scarecrow and the Assassin searched for the Soul Gem the tower mentioned. The environment was not too dissimilar to the first obstacle. Lonely winds blew past them, hills and sometimes trees dotted the landscape. Sometimes the two misinterpreted the wind for a voice. Maybe they both knew but they simply got their hopes up. Being alone is heart aching.

    ¡°It can¡¯t be true¡­¡± Vega thought out loud. Krimm heard her but believed she didn¡¯t want any more conversation. All that needed to be done was to escape and get on with her life. Krimm didn¡¯t even want to question how Vega had gotten repaired. She wanted out.

    But this out never came in the hours that roamed by. An endless wilderness that put memories Krimm repressed back into focus. A landscape of memory kept her there. If she wanted something else besides an exit, was how Kaliber mattered to this place. This once full of life and now barren.

    This place used to have someone she loved.

    ¡°You know¡­ I had a girlfriend once.¡± Krimm let it out. She was afraid, out of a lifetime of being rejected, that Vega would make that part of her a joke. She had every reason to, after ripping her apart and insulting her. But she hoped, if only for an instant, that Vega might respond positively. That she might be received, and accepted.

    ¡°...Neat! Does she look nice?¡± Squishing her face into Krimm¡¯s own, Vega stared down the Assassin, ready to hear more.

    ¡°¡­that was not the reaction I was expecting.¡± Krimm turned her head slightly, trying to look at where she was going instead of Vega.

    ¡°Lady-lady, I have made friends with just about everything. Cities, abstract conceptions, even a snake skin guy. He died! That was pretty cool. A girl liking a girl is hardly anything to me.¡± Vega walked in front of Krimm and illustrated with her hands all the things she¡¯s met on her journey. Her mild manners made the Assassin feel a little more talkative, and even a little more safe.

    ¡°That¡¯s¡­ mildly comforting. And incredibly disappointing that it''s coming from a scarecrow and not actual people.¡±

    ¡°Sorry. Oh, another thing-thing, you also wouldn¡¯t happen to like boys too, would ya?¡± Vega had a hunch.

    ¡°Yeah. Yeah, kinda sorta.¡±

    ¡°Huh, we are more alike than different.¡± Vega¡¯s hunch was correct.

    ¡°Shut up, what the hell does that even mean?¡± Krimm shoved her aside and continued searching for a path, a sign, anything that led to something.

    ¡°Oh, ya wouldn¡¯t happen to have any prejudiced over-over ghosts, would ya? Because those watchmen, wow! They absolutely hate ghosts.¡± Vega followed closely behind, holding her head high. She was glad she could talk with her, especially after being stuck in the dark for so long.

    ¡°The fucks a ghost? Is that what the Iozians keep referring to, that vague minority that the people in power say are super evil, super weak, and yet pervasive in all society? An analogy for any oppressed people or whatever?¡± Using her left hand, Krimm made a circular motion while she talked, as if trying to encircle the vague concept.

    Also, she seemed to be talking to a vague audience. That¡¯s weird.

    ¡°Yeah. And the-the way ya talked about that sounded like ya were trying to make a social commentary on something?¡± Vega raised a brow at Krimm, who recoiled at the implication.

    ¡°No! Well, no I don¡¯t hate ghosts, but no to¡­ social commentary?! That¡¯s unthinkable! In our current year? Ha!¡±

    ¡°Aww, I was kinda hoping for that.¡± Vega hung low, disappointed.

    ¡°Stop hoping for anything and half of your life¡¯s problems will be fixed. Trust me.¡±

    ¡°But to get back on track-track, how was your girlfriend like?¡±

    ¡°She was¡­ mortal.¡±

    ¡°Really? I never knew elf spirits could get together with mortys.¡±

    ¡°Mortys? Hah, you¡¯re stupid and funny. But yes¡­ no one knew about it.¡± Krimm smiled, but not one of gruesome brutality or sadistic joy. A content smile, one that was full and enough to show she liked thinking about it.

    ¡°What is-is her name?¡±

    ¡°Was.¡± Krimm corrected.

    ¡°...I¡¯m sorry.¡±

    ¡°No need. She was Kalio. She was perfect¡­ she was mine¡­ and I was her¡­¡± Krimm¡¯s smile weakened as she stopped before a stream, flowing through the flowers. Her reflection, though faint, made her wonder how did her life end up like this? Why did it have to be like this?

    Was she really happy? Or was she lying to herself?

    Was it a lie that she believed it was true?

    Krimm didn¡¯t want to find out. She didn¡¯t want a way out.

    ¡°Over dramatic gasp.¡±

    ¡°Why the fuck did you say ¡®overdramatic gasp¡¯?¡± Krimm stared at Vega, who had stopped in her place. Lifting her pickaxe out in front of both of them, Krimm looked to what she was pointing at.

    ¡°Look¡­¡±

    Out in front of them, was a community. A community that Vega had never seen, but Krimm had seen so many times before. A grove of short trees, nestled between a set of hills, with ponds just outside. Small smoke came from it, and the sounds of battle were not too distant.

    Stepping forward, Krimm approached this settlement, this memory of a place long past. There was no doubt about it. This is what Kaliber was working on. This was it.

    ¡°Krimm¡­¡± Vega reached out for the Assassin¡¯s shoulder, but Krimm¡¯s violent and powerful eyes skewered that attempt, telling all Vega needed. This place, whatever it was, mattered to the conversation Kaliber and Ena had before. If this truly was a memory that Kaliber had placed for her, there had to be some information she wanted to keep hidden.

    The two walked forward, stepping closer to this grove of trees, with the flowers splitting on a dirt path ahead.

    They walked towards a memory of people. A memory of the Galtian elves

 Chapter 66: Celebration Catastrophe! (Part 1!)

    Chapter 66: Celebration Catastrophe! (Part 1!)

    No one ever expects festivals and parties to be the site of unhappy events, and much less a place where you are reminded of your own mortality.

    But one must realize that just because you¡¯re having fun doesn¡¯t make you invincible. You¡¯d think Iozians and Tripolians would have realized that by now, but no!

    At least Skaldi realized that, at least.

    Amir and Sorbet waited for the elf in the dark shadows of an alleyway. Sorbet had, as you might guess, enjoyed her first scoop of ice cream. Sitting against the wall, Sorbet tested out the new food and it was pretty delightful. Amir, right beside her, kept looking out in case any guards or watchmen were approaching. The festivals and the marching troops had died down a bit, but there was yet an end to the partying. Next time when they got back, Amir planned to ask Valiato what day it was.

    For now, Amir was contemplating on how Skaldi was leading them. He had really started to take charge and seemed to be maturing. A couple months ago he wouldn''t trust Skaldi with doing anything himself, constantly laughing at his failures.. And look at him now, a smart and well composed man.

    ¡°Hey fuckers, I got a plan.¡± Well, sort of. Skaldi ran into the darkness, looking over his back before continuing towards them both.

    ¡°What is it? Also, do you want a slice?¡± Sorbet offered her ice cream cone to Skaldi.

    ¡°Slice? Slice of what?¡±

    ¡°Slice of ice cream. Like a slice of bread, you know?¡± Sorbet didn¡¯t understand what was wrong with what she had said.

    ¡°No-look, I got a pretty damn good idea of how to bust into the Cloud District. All we need is a couple dresses, a few fruits, and a lack of dignity.¡±

    ¡°The fucks a dignity?¡± Sorbet asked, standing up.

    ¡°The thing you lose when you lose self respect.¡± Skaldi answered.

    ¡°The fucks a self respect?¡± She asked again.

    ¡°...you didn¡¯t have many friends in Jantok Sky did you?¡±

    ¡°No, not really.¡± Sorbet said, all sad like.

    ¡°Sucks to suck. Anyway, let me explain.¡± The redhead brushed his hair with his thumb and pulled the two out of the alleyway ever so slightly as to not catch the eye of anyone watching.

    What they saw were the walls for the Cloud District, only a bit taller than the buildings. The homes behind these walls were immaculate and well maintained in comparison to the rest of Uvi Jantok. Based on what he saw in Jantok Sky, Cloud District was the closest anyone could get to luxury homes and no crime.

    Those walls had a gatehouse, with ten guards on top and five guards on bottom, most of them leaning on their weapons or lazing about. The rest of them were likely inside Cloud District, and it would be a fight to try to break in and impossible to climb the walls. They needed another way in.

    ¡°You see those guards? Pretty tired looking right? I doubt they¡¯ll be too attentive to appearances on any papers we¡¯re carrying.¡± Skaldi pointed out to them, just as a small group of rich folk headed to the gate.

    ¡°I see! We¡¯re going to sell them dresses and fruit, and pose as merchants!¡± Sorbet, although excited, misunderstood the idea.

    ¡°Close¡­ we¡¯re going to be posing alright. Look there!¡± Skaldi swung out his arm, and Amir and Sorbet stuck their heads out. Many of the rich folk were girls, attended to by also pretty looking servants. Not only this, those servants were really similar to the pretty servants inside Jantok Sky. The guards greeted them well and hardly checked their papers and persons.

    ¡°Ohhh. OH. That¡¯s actually smart!¡± Sorbet announced, which Skaldi nodded, appreciating the compliment.

    ¡°I try to be.¡±

    ¡°So, dressed as girls. Oh, that¡¯s pretty damn good. One problem. What about the big guy?¡± Sorbet pointed to Amir, who was obviously out of the loop of what was being discussed. Skaldi smiled sinisterly, ready to test out his fashion skills on the big Tripolian.

    In just under an hour, the three got their materials and¡­ equipment ready. Skaldi wasn¡¯t looking too different, trading out his chest plate for a much more in style dress with plenty of floral patterns. And for his eye patch, he simply put on a pink rose to sell the look.

    Sorbet didn¡¯t have much trouble either, deciding to be the one that did the most talking, since she was the one who knew the most about Uvi Jantok. For her outfit, it was a loud and colorful gown that was similar to the Kai Ren fashion. She was happy with it.

    Amir¡­ wasn¡¯t so happy with the idea. Changing his entire look entirely, Skaldi and Sorbet made him dress like a sultaness, complete with vests interwoven with frills and aristocratic amount of fabric which helped mask his stature. You could barely see his eyes but I can assure you he was quite angry. The one good part of the outfit, and just about the only part Amir agreed with, was the dagger proudly displayed on his belt.

    Now here comes the part you all been waiting for, how did they design their boobs?

    Skaldi chose a modest option and simply put half an apple in his dress. He would have done something bigger, but he really didn¡¯t want to jinx their chances.

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    Amir, on the other hand, opted for two bags of limes to present the idea of a large and fearsome Tripolian lady. He still didn¡¯t like it, but Sorbet couldn¡¯t understand him and Skaldi couldn¡¯t fucking care.

    As for Sorbet, she had the ingenious idea of just making a bra. Not only because it made her look pretty damn good, but it was really pleasant to wear. Like a pillow on your chest, but no back pain, sweat, or minor blemishes to speak of!

    I only wish I had such a thing. So to sum it up, Sorbet was very happy with her titties.

    ¡°Can I just wear this boobie thing, all the time? It actually feels really comfy.¡± Sorbet massaged the last bits of stuff she put on, checking if there were anything that might fall.

    ¡°Just remember to wash it. Oh don¡¯t, I don¡¯t know how girls deal with that stuff.¡± Skaldi stretched out, ready for the plan to commence.

    ¡°I can tell.¡± Sorbet, in the same vain as Florato, sneaked in a gentle insult.

    ¡°Shut the fuck up and let¡¯s do this.¡± Skaldi rolled his eyes and pulled Amir out of the alleyway. The three didn¡¯t stand out, as the streets still had small mobs of partying locals. If anything was off about them, was the lack of skin they were showing off or the lack of mania in them.

    What they weren¡¯t lacking was the amount of times they bumped into someone. Skaldi you might already suspect, but Amir struggled with the outfit, being forced to rely on Sorbet guiding him, which also went about as you suspected.

    No matter the obstacles, the three got to the gate, hopeful that this effort would yield something. Well, something beyond wearing cute dresses.

    ¡°Halt, who are you and what business do you have in the Cloud District?¡± A senior officer, holding his head high, approached the three. A mixed raced man, a sort of combination between a lizard and a colorful feathered bird, complete with horns and a beak.

    ¡°Oh, we¡¯re the three entertainers for the party at¡­ the Lai Manor.¡± Skaldi came up with, gently juggling some of the extra fruit they had on hand. He wasn¡¯t sure if the bluff was going to work, seeing the senior officer¡¯s suspicious eyes.

    The other guards were too busy gambling what little money they had or talking with some of the pretty ladies they were processing. Also they were very horny.

    ¡°Come on boss, is it really all that weird that the Lai family wants more girls at their house? Let them through!¡± One of the guards leaned on Amir, gesturing back to the officer.

    ¡°But that one is clearly a Tripolian woman!¡± The officer disagreed loudly.

    ¡°You know their head has exotic tastes.¡± As the guard argued back, Skaldi and Sorbet felt an uncomfortable tension on their necks. Skaldi understood at this moment how Florato is treated. He felt quite a bit sorry, and even more sorry for Amir, but he couldn¡¯t help but to laugh a little.

    ¡°Yes, yes. That¡¯s w-why he requested us.¡± Skaldi added on, feeling a little nervous.

    ¡°...Aye. You tarangs keep out of trouble.¡± The officer finished and turned away, whistling up at the men on the wall. Within a minute, the gate was open and various people flowed in and out.

    Strangely, as Skaldi looked at them and walked past, many of the pretty folk that entered didn''t seem right. Like they were statues instead of statuesque. That their movements weren¡¯t filled with the same type of life that normally inhabits people.

    Surely this thing won¡¯t come up later, right?

    ¡°One more thing ladies, in an hour our Oligarch is going to the final part of Neo Rem Day, so don¡¯t miss it. Or, don¡¯t miss me.¡± The guard waved and winked off. Finally, after that creepy exchange, the three gratefully entered into the Cloud District.

    Unlike the squalid and dense nature of Silk City, the district was a clean and fine tuned home. Homes and apartments stood tall and further away from each other, allowing the sun and wind space to pass by. The streets, although strewn with trash from the celebration, were wide and gleaming and sometimes you could see your reflection in them.

    Amir stood in mild interest, as if impressed by it. But that impression ended when he saw so many people eating a disgusting amount of food, especially greasy meats.

    Open air restaurants and carts were on every street corner, and dense smoke erupted out of them. Sweat and salt also were common around them, along with the shouts of cooks and servers. Sorbet would have liked to try one of them, but seeing so many mosquitoes soured her appetite.

    Besides, they had a job to do.

    ¡°Alright fellas, we need to get to the Lai Manor. See if we can work out a deal with them, if not, steal their shit. Hell, maybe we can find out about the Lai Bank or something.¡± The thought of endless gold and jewels was lovely in Skaldi¡¯s mind, but he knew that they¡¯d have to live first.

    ¡°I think the big house on the top might be it.¡± Sorbet pointed it out. A low but long rectangular manor surrounded by trees in the shape of buttresses laid on the highest hill, resting against the Black Wall.

    ¡°That just might be it. Let¡¯s check it out.¡± Skaldi ordered, and the three went on. They passed by many scenes of stupidity, as apparently in the Cloud District alcohol was allowed. People doing dares that risked and often resulted in bodily injury, taking off clothes, commiting crimes.

    You know, fun for the whole family.

    Alcohol wasn¡¯t even allowed in Jantok Rock, but Skaldi imagined it as the one good part of this place. Or maybe it was a downside, remembering himself doing dumb stuff while drunk.

    Aside from being clean and not being a pain to walk around, the Cloud District was barely any better than Jantok Rock. Perhaps that¡¯s why it was so coveted by the people outside it, because they can¡¯t get in. Or maybe it was a way out.

    Either way, the three kept together and pushed on to the outskirts of the Lai Manor.

    Yellow metal bars formed a fence enclosing the manor, with guards patrolling it at all times. The main structure itself is split in three parts, having two floors on each. The windows were various stained orange and blues, atop the red wooden frame of all of it. All of it put together, it might have been the most elegant thing they had seen in months.

    But that was all ruined by the fact a fucking concert was happening on the front lawn. Barrels of beer were placed together like columns, bands of musicians played on platforms that¡¯d break if one more person stood on them, and so many red faced people singing along in off key and voice breaking tones.

    And no was watching the main gate, so anyone could enter at anytime, even three fuckers that wanted to steal shit perhaps.

    Ah, truly the height of Iozian society.

    ¡°...you sure that this is the Lai Manor?¡± Skaldi hesitantly backed away.

    ¡°Well, the family liked to party when they were in Jantok Sky, so yeah. Probably.¡± Sorbet tilted her head, trying to convince herself that this was the right place. She looked at the other manors and none of them rivaled this place. If the Lai family lived anywhere, it was here.

    ¡°~Please see me through this torture. And please let us survive.~¡± Amir said aloud, hoping that whatever entity that governed the world would grant them his wish. Skaldi patted his shoulder and held onto Sorbet¡¯s. It would certainly suck, but at least they¡¯re together.

    ¡°Whatever he said, I agree.¡±

 Chapter 66: Celebration Catastrophe! (Part 2!)

    Chapter 66: Celebration Catastrophe! (Part 2!)

    If you put together a bunch of rich people, get them stupid drunk, what do you get?

    A problem, that¡¯s what.

    Getting past the initial crowd of people was the easiest and the second most uncomfortable part. Brushing against the foul smelling party goers, who were by no means quiet or kind, was¡­ not preferable. But also standing around while doing nothing was worse so Amir, Sorbet, and Skaldi pushed through.

    ¡°Gah! Someone stepped on my foot again!¡± Sorbet cried out, being squeezed and practically crushed in the crowd.

    ¡°Just hold on, almost there. When we get out of this, we¡¯re all going for a bath!¡± Skaldi told, holding onto Amir and Sorbet tight. He would have asked, or pantomined more like it, to sit on Amir¡¯s shoulders. However he knew that would risk meshing up their outfits so he kept it to himself.

    ¡°This sucks. This is way worse than the palace, and people wanted to kill me there.¡± The ice cream lady kept her eyes and voice low, trying not to draw any attention.

    Everyone emitted hideous volume, from their mouths that hadn¡¯t been cleaned in days, stained by unhealthy foods and generous helpings of booze.

    ¡°Honey, look! It¡¯s a fat Tripolian gal. A-and an elf holding a big ice cream cone!¡± A woman dressed in ten tons of makeup pulled a boy that was definitely not of drinking age towards the three, sipping wine and leering at them.

    ¡°Please don¡¯t lick me.¡±

    ¡°If we move fast, they probably won¡¯t.¡± Skaldi whispered, gently guiding them through.

    The amount of alcohol present was astounding. Servants were carrying the pitchers, refilling the cups and glasses people brought with them. They were free. They were easy. And they looked delicious.

    ¡°...no. I¡¯m not doing that.¡± The elf could not deny that it would make the situation a lot easier. Well, easier as in more comfortable.

    ¡°Free drinks! Drinks for all, drinks for you and me.¡± Standing atop a stool, a servant passed out drinks only a few feet near him. He let his grip on Sorbet a little loose, as if preparing to grab a cup.

    It would have been nice. It would be easy.

    A tiny voice in his mind reminded him of how much he had been facing. Barely surviving crumbling buildings yesterday, a friend missing. And all combined with a place that made him feel sick. Not because of what was happening, but what it represented.

    People ignoring what was to come. Coping in the worst ways possible. Instead of confronting what was ahead and preparing, they turned their faces and closed their hearts and hands.

    He could wait. He could wait for the invasion, drink till he¡¯s blind. He nearly let his hand go.

    ¡°...No. We keep going.¡±

    Skaldi nearly reached out for one,but a thought came to his mind. An image. The image of Vega walking forward to unknown territory. If Vega was discovering her past on her own, he could at least handle some drunk folks. The thought of Vega pushing on made him rethink. He held on tight and led the others forward.

    ¡°Skaldi, what does beer taste like?¡± Sorbet asked, staring at the cups in mild curiosity.

    ¡°Lady, it tastes like crap and smells like piss.¡± Skaldi chuckled, glad that he could properly dissuade her from the wrong path.

    ¡°What¡¯s a piss?¡±

    ¡°...do¡­ do you not pee?¡±

    ¡°What¡¯s a pee?¡±

    ¡°Nevermind, just keep going.¡±

    All of it was a shame, Skaldi thought. These rich folks were acting so gross. I mean, it wasn¡¯t too different from the rich people he had met before and recently. But his effort to make cute outfits for everyone made him have a greater appreciation for fashion. Their once fine and up to date clothing were stained by sour beers, but the partygoers could hardly care and drank to their heart¡¯s content.

    And also to their stomachs.

    ¡°Ugh. I don¡¯t feel so pheasant.¡± A voice coughed out, as people backed away.

    ¡°Sire, don¡¯t you mean pleasant?¡± Holding up this man, a much tiny servant barely prevented him from falling.

    ¡°~Holy hell. Is that one going to-~¡± Amir was cut off by the retching of a white haired man. Built like a ball and gray as steel, he looked terribly sick. Well, sick to his stomach. This was the worst part of it.

    Now here is the part where I give you, my student, a brief mercy in this situation. I will not describe what followed in deep detail, nor in vague detail, or in any fucking detail at all.

    So, we¡¯re just going to skip that negatively life impacting event and are just going to skip over that!

    ¡°No way¡­ how is that fucker still drinking?¡± Skaldi said.

    ¡°Please make this stop¡­¡± Sorbet begged.

    ¡°~That was so much! Is that an book? Out of him- nope. Nope! Keep going!~¡± Amir pushed them ahead, finally passing the outlying crowd.

    Drink responsibly kids!

    Stolen from its original source, this story is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.

    Desperate not to think about the event that will not be named or mentioned, he thought of Valiato and of tea and of anything that had nothing to do with the present moment.

    Luckily, there would be no more alcohol related disasters ahead of them, as it appeared many of the inner crowd took to dancing to the music. On a big open lawn pairs or circles formed, each dancing in a variety of styles. I assure you, all of it was miserable to anyone sober.

    So it was just miserable for the three.

    ¡°Alright, the way has cleared up a bit. The Lai¡¯s will probably be in the big house.¡± Skaldi pointed out to the stairways up to the manor itself. The people there were sparse along with any guards.

    ¡°Good, now we just-¡±

    ¡°Thank you everyone for being such a great audience. In just a few moments, we¡¯ll be taking this party to the inside for its final conclusion!¡± One of the musicians yelled out on the platform, causing a frenzy in the crowd. Walking like some mad army, the people shambled towards the stairs.

    ¡°Oh shit.¡± Sorbet felt scared.

    ¡°~Oh fuck~.¡± Amir felt terrified, coughing a fit.

    ¡°Oh come on! Let¡¯s get up there before anyone starts asking questions about us.¡± The redhead knew they had to get there, lest they be the victims of this party.

    Each of the three took to the stairs, pulling up their dresses to run better. Most of the party were far behind, their cheers similar to the moans of something evil spirit. Luckily no one bothered to confront them because they either didn¡¯t care or were blasted out of their minds.

    ¡°Ha! Those three birds are racing each other.¡± One drunk man did comment though, spilling his drink on the ground.

    ¡°Is that an insult or a compliment Sorbet?¡± Skaldi asked as they raced by.

    ¡°I¡¯m pretty sure he mistaked us for actual birds¡­¡±

    ¡°Huh, that¡¯s a nice change of pace.¡± Finally reaching the top of the stairs, Skaldi waved them forward. As the two rushed beside him his face dropped in horror. Not because of the horde of drunkards, though they were scary as they trampled and fell over one another.

    ¡°Skaldi, you stopped? Come on, we¡¯re almost there.¡±

    There was something in the distance. Far yet disturbingly close.

    ¡°Skaldi?¡±

    Not in the city. On the horizon¡­

    ¡°Skaldi!¡±

    ¡°Hmm, what Sorbet?¡± Skaldi spun around, all unbalanced from what he had seen.

    ¡°Come on you idiot! They¡¯re getting closer!¡± Grabbing him by the collar, Sorbet pulled Skaldi off his feet and into the manor.

    Looking through the stained glass, the three saw the hands of the crowd crawling toward them, sounds of slurring words and ugly laughter. And they were coming right for them!

    ¡°Block the door! Do not let them inside! They¡¯ll eat us alive!¡± Skaldi cried, immediately pushing over a dinner table and shoving it to the door.

    Barring the door like they were facing some undead entity, the three hurled shelfs, wardrobes, and whatever furniture they could find. Building up a sufficient enough barricade, the three heaved and held themselves up on their knees. Hearing the banging and the drunken complaints of the crowd, they breathed all the air they needed and more.

    ¡°If anyone asks, tell them it was the drunk guys¡­ okay?¡± Skaldi pushed himself up and stretched out, searching around. A small dining hall, complete with pots people would vomit into, along with incense that would normally be covering up any bad smells, that being potential vomit. Most of it hadn¡¯t been touched, aside the corner the three tore up while blocking the door.

    ¡°Sure¡­ by the way, did we over react there?¡± Sorbet asked, dusting herself off and feeling a tiny bit bad for the crowd.

    ¡°Pffh! No? Well, they probably wouldn¡¯t have eaten us, but come on.¡±

    ¡°~I¡¯m taking this thing off.~¡± Amir, wanting to be humiliated no longer, tore off the dress. Tossing aside the garments, Sorbet and Skaldi pouted at all the hard work they had done putting into his outfit. The one good note was that he handed over the limes to Sorbet gently.

    ¡°Thanks big guy. I wonder if this would work better than my bra?¡±

    ¡°I doubt it. Either way, I¡¯m keeping this thing on. Looks nice.¡± Giving his dress one final brush over, Skaldi began his entry into the manor, with Amir and Sorbet close behind.

    Cool air blew through the windows and patios, making the tabesties depicting the family¡¯s history wobble ever so slightly. Inside petals fell from the inner garden of flowers and trees and sunlight from the sun roofs, glowing dim oranges and reds on the leaves.

    ¡°I¡¯ve never seen anything like this. Well, besides the mermaids.¡±

    ¡°~Hmm. Yellow flower trees.~¡±

    ¡°That there is a Dok Koon, a pretty nice looking one at that. Only the Oligarchs are allowed to have those. And the Lai family. Grab a petal, it¡¯ll give you good luck.¡± Sorbet knelt down and picked up a pile in her arms.

    ¡°Kinda don¡¯t have time for th-¡± The elf stopped seeing Sorbet smile sweetly, which made sighed in defeat. Skaldi grabbed a handful and gave half to Amir who then stuffed it into his bag of handing.

    ¡°Shame it¡¯s all gonna-¡±

    ¡°YAH!¡±

    Not too from the garden, the doors to the house barged open by a group of more party goers, exploding off the hinges. The door, along with all the stained glass, broke into the splinters.

    ¡°WOOOOOOO! Neo Rem Day is the beeeesst day!¡± A tough and muscled up teen cheered, with many of his supposed friends not far behind.

    ¡°Quick, up the staircase.¡± Skaldi whispered, with them all heading up without being noticed. Finding themselves looking down at the crowd now piling in, they knew they didn¡¯t have much time before more complications arose.

    ¡°Geez. Do we have any idea of what the family even looks like?¡±

    ¡°Probably like assholes. Rich assholes. Oh, tall rich assholes.

    ¡°What makes you sure of that?¡±

    ¡°I just got a hunch, alright?¡± The sounds of glass and wood shattering below them didn¡¯t give them any solace and they scrambled to look for wherever the family might be. Skaldi kept on stopping every minute to look at the window, to look at what he saw. It was coming closer.

    But no matter, the manor¡¯s great and lengthy halls grew tiresome to explore and they didn¡¯t want to find themselves in the middle of a sandwich of wasted people. Their search halted as they stopped in a small library, carpeted and furnished with animal skins.

    ¡°Upstairs kitchen, bath, and bed rooms have no one in them. Sorbet, please tell me you got at least a clue of where they have been?¡±

    ¡°Nope. Unless the amount of gold statues they have is a clue. Twenty seven is the answer, it is very odd.¡± Sorbet scratched her chin before Skaldi grabbed her by the shoulders.

    ¡°Focus. There has to be a secret room. Something that is off. Something that the family would know and we¡­¡±

    ¡°Why¡¯d did you st-¡±

    ¡°Shh. Listen.¡± Putting a finger in the air, the both of them got quiet. Sorbet tried looking with her eyes, tracking the shelves and bookcases around them.

    Using his senses, Skaldi dulled his eyesight and closed his eyes, enhancing his hearing. Not in the rooms or halls around them, nor of the ruckus from the floor below. It was below, a little underneath them. Returning his eyesight, Skaldi tapped the floor, feeling around for anything bumps or holes.

    Faint and thin, there was an uneven feeling on the carpet. Taking out one of his daggers, Skaldi cut into the carpet and threw the sheet over. He revealed that there was a slick trapdoor.

    ¡°Woah.¡± The ice cream girl said, lowering down to it.

    ¡°Back up.¡± Skaldi waved Amir and Sorbet away as he held onto the door. Pulling out a dagger of his own, Amir nodded that he was ready for combat.

    ¡°On three¡­ one¡­ two-¡±

    ¡°Lai, shut the fuck up!¡± Slamming the door up, it immediately impacted into Skaldi¡¯s nose, and was starting to bleed and blue. Falling back, he held onto it in much pain and growing confusion.

    ¡°Ouch, what the hell?¡± His eyes didn¡¯t betray what he was seeing. Rather, who he was seeing.

    ¡°Skaldi?¡± A tired voice spoke. The man was bandit-like, his skin was a red orange and his eyes dark black. He was well protected, armored in bronze and spoke behind a mask and helmet.

    ¡°...is that you Chakrit?¡±

    ¡°Amber, what is taking you so long¡­¡± Appearing out of the hole beside her comrade, was a familiar and tall and sour bandit. Specifically, one who had a knack for falcons.

    Noble, but with roughened hands and attire. Her eyes were burning suns and black eyeshadow made her fierce. Dust and tears were all over her armor and skin and this lady displayed them proudly. In a grand show of bravery. Or a sign of absolute immaturity.

    ¡°Shit. Lai, is that you?¡± Wiping his nose, Skaldi slowly got up. It was her alright.

 Chapter 67: Built for Destruction!

    Chapter 67: Built for Destruction!

    What is your greatest regret? What is the choice you once made or failed to make that haunts you today? Is it that you forfeited a future that was yours? Was it mistaking a traitor for a friend?

    I have two. I never got to say hello. And I never got to say goodbye.

    Vega, as she and Krimm entered into the grove of trees, got into thinking about regrets. How regrets had affected not herself, but her friends.

    Amir¡¯s regret with Ani Arma, delivering him all those years of dedication.

    How Skaldi regretted being so cruel to himself.

    And how Kaliber regretted her knowledge about the Galtian elves ceremonies, and how she used them. But for now, she would have to figure out where that broken Soul Gem was. If there was a problem with this obstacle, it would need to be fixed first. Then she could pursue her past. Her present. And perhaps even her future.

    ¡°How many years ago was this? Seven? Five.¡± Krimm wandered past Vega as she was reflecting, going up to the structures of the elves. The Assassin was lost in a trance, like she was visiting a place from her childhood. In a way she was, returning to a world that she did not belong to. Dragging her fingers across the walls and trees, she took it all.

    Simple yet sophisticated their architecture was. No nails or metals to be found, as all of it had been done with precise wooden carves that stuck together like pieces of a puzzle. One thing was wrong about all the houses. They were all empty.

    All of them were empty, and yet you could hear voices from them. Krimm approached a door and heard the giggling of children playing. She flung the door open and the giggling became clear.

    The two children were mimicking the clashing of spears and shields, as one was playing a conquering Iozian and the other a noble elf hero. It would almost spur a smile from anyone around. But it wouldn¡¯t because all that Krimm could see of the two children were their figures on the ground, now old and covered in dust.

    ¡°Do you hear this too?¡±

    ¡°Yeah¡­ I do.¡± Vega joined her, gently stepping over the figures and walking through the home. The house was built into one of the trees, melding into it elegantly. One could hardly tell the difference but if you looked closely enough, there were thin layers of dust on the surfaces.

    ¡°Qagir, are you almost done?¡± A strong warrior voice called from the hall. Krimm checked it, seeing it was an armory, full of elvish gear and weapons. Orange rust and brown flakes littered on all the equipment. No one was there.

    ¡°Yes, yes. Just¡­ come back for me and the little ones. I want my fighter to come back to me. Not a hero in a coffin.¡± Soft and worrisome, a lady spoke near Krimm. She turned and saw nothing of the woman. ¡°Your charm is here. May Savelita be with you. ¡±

    ¡°Thank you. I promise that I will return. And I¡¯ll show those Iozians what we¡¯re made of.¡± The warrior lingered on his words, as if he gave a loving look to his wife. His voice disappeared, but Krimm and Vega could hear the children cheer for their father. Everything here was abandoned. No life. Not even the specks of death. Hollow. Gone.

    All of it, uneven. Unequal. Like a place split in time. The only parts that had any unity, any life existing, was the wilderness outside, unchanged.

    The Assassin squeezed her fist in an iron hard ball. This place reminded her of a person she used to be. Powerless. Unseen. Unknown. Uncared. No longer loved.

    The scarecrow saw this, saw this pain she was going through. Lashing out, laughing at cruelty, and doleing it down on anyone she could hurt. Is this the person she¡¯d become, if she listened to the Voice? If she gave up on herself and her friends?

    For a moment, not an instant longer, the scarecrow reached out for her hand. To hold. To care. To love.

    But she pulled back. She didn¡¯t know why. Maybe all those harsh and toxic insults finally got to her. Or maybe she understood Krimm couldn¡¯t be fixed by mere kind gestures. Whatever made Krimm this way, it had to be dealt with. Face to face. Heart to heart. Spirit to spirit.

    ¡°Krimm, this place matters to you. I know it, I sense it.¡± Vega put her hand on her chest, trying to signal that she carries an emotional organ, a weight that holds Krimm. ¡°This place is significant. Not only to ya, but to Kaliber. To me. And if-¡±

    ¡°Not everything has to be about you¡­ you damn fool.¡± Krimm shouted, to silence any idea, any effort to join forces. Vega backed up slightly, feeling more hurt than before. Not even being ripped apart hurts. But this, being pushed away, rejected, that burned terribly in Vega¡¯s heart.

    That made her angry.

    ¡°Well excuuuuse me princess! I¡¯m sorry if I¡¯m acting a little selfish, I¡¯ve only been trapped here for what, who knows how long!¡± Forcibly turning Krimm around, she wasn¡¯t letting her hurt her and get away with it. The Assassin want to move but Vega held onto her pigtails and forced her to stay. ¡°Krimm, the only way we¡¯re getting out of here is we work-work together. That¡¯s how we got out of the last-last one.¡±

    ¡°Yeah. Sure.¡± Krimm looked away from Vega¡¯s face, not trying to look into her eyes. Something about them, the energy and power they carried. That they were more than attached to a fool, but that there was genuine pain in them.

    ¡°Listen! Stop trying to-to force me to be some enemy ya can just kill!¡± Vega let go, allowing Krimm a chance to respond. She knew that she might strike at her, or just cut her in half again. But she wasn¡¯t going to be insulted or hurt anymore. She would fight back with words or with metal, and Krimm could see that.

    Krimm briefly thought on how to retaliate. She wished to escape, but not to confront a world that she was in. A world that existed no longer. A world that she didn¡¯t belong to.

    This content has been misappropriated from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.

    ¡°I¡¯m an Assassin. This is who I am.¡± She placed her fingers on her scar, resting one on her exposed teeth. She hated the scar. She hated all that it made her. A repulsive person, a Ghost of dead people.

    ¡°You¡¯re not. Ya are a living being. Stop trying to think that walking away and making me into some object will-will make anything easier for you.¡± Vega grabbed Krimm¡¯s hand and pointed to all of her own wounds.

    Her arms that were once wood now replaced with steel, the stitches on her face and body. The scarecrow survived and so had the elf. Krimm¡¯s eyebrows bent and her mouth went to an angry frown.

    ¡°And stop-stop thinking you¡¯re the only one going through something!¡±

    ¡°Why you-¡±

    ¡°Shut up!¡± The scarecrow slapped the Assassin.

    Now you might expect this to be a comedic moment where all go ha ha, but no. Sadly not. Krimm¡¯s ears rang and as she recovered, she saw Vega''s face. Though she was not a shapeshifter like herself, she saw herself. Like staring into a mirror. A person, a face that matched her own. And that face was stronger than her¡¯s.

    ¡°I have given you kindness even when you¡¯ve stabbed and broken me apart. I have tried listening to you, talking to you, and being patient. Remember what you said, that I¡¯m the first one that asked ya your name?¡±

    Kaliber''s eyes widened and her hand unclenched. She stared down for a moment, in a moment of emotion. A moment of realization. That Vega was right. So very precise and right. That this very scarecrow was more generous of heart than anyone she had known in a while. Is this why she is important, Krimm thought. That this being made of hay and string, could manifest such truth?

    ¡°We both have to realize something here. This path forward, it can¡¯t be-be done alone. If we are to grow as people, we need each other. We are what we aren''t alone.¡±

    ¡°...I¡¯m sorry. I shouldn¡¯t have been like that to you.¡± Krimm brushed where Vega had slapped her.

    Admittedly, it was more of the shock of the slap rather than the pain of it. I mean, being slapped by what is essentially a glove with a little metal inside doesn¡¯t pack much punch.

    Though she brushed it nonetheless. Krimm felt that had snapped a part out of her, whatever that part was. Perhaps a nihilism, maybe a lack of care. Krimm saw Vega¡¯s face flare up in worry and she suddenly pulled a bandage from her chest.

    ¡°Ya alright? Sorry-sorry, here.¡± She placed the bandage on her cheek.

    ¡°Haha! What are you doing?¡± Krimm backed away, surprised by Vega¡¯s act. It was very sweet, no doubt, but Krimm felt she didn¡¯t deserve it. ¡°After all that I have done, wha- I don¡¯t get you.¡±

    ¡°Well, I don¡¯t like hurting people. I like helping them.¡± Vega rubbed the back of her head, which made Krimm reflect again. Vega too was young and learning. She must be smarter than what she was given credit for, but Vega has a strong moral code in a way.

    She wondered if things had gone better, perhaps she might have become like her instead of an Assassin. Could she still, Krimm thought.

    ¡°I¡¯m sorry-sorry too. I was kind of¡­ over dramatic? Melodramatic? Really-really-really emotional there? I don¡¯t know¡­ I just got really angry.¡±

    ¡°I get it. Being chopped in half doesn¡¯t put anyone in a good mood. Or having to deal with me.¡±

    ¡°Well¡­ it¡¯s easier now.¡±

    ¡°Ha, never thought I¡¯d hear that. But¡­ I hear you. If Ani Arma thinks you¡¯re important, and this Kaliber is important, then all of this ties us together. We are together.¡± Krimm looked at all around them. This memory of a place out of time. Of voices long past. Here, Vega was with her.

    ¡°Now-now more than ever.¡±

    ¡°You matter. Not like a tool.¡± Krimm turned, only slightly and crossed her arms. She wasn¡¯t going to give up loyalty to Ani Arma. But she had a lot to think about after they got out of here.

    ¡°Thank ya. That means a lot. Sister.¡± Bumping her hip into Krimm¡¯s, Vega got back into her playful spirit once again. The pain ceased and her focus returned.

    ¡°Sister? Why sister, we¡¯re not even both constructs.¡± Krimm questioned, lowering one eye in confusion.

    ¡°Well, we¡¯re similar in that we¡¯re tied to this memory. We both are tied to Ani Arma. And we¡¯re both celestial, in some capacity. Ya and me Krimm, are a lot stronger than we real-realize.¡± Vega shrugged, smiling and giggling. Krimm began to walk towards the other structures in the grove before lifting two fingers.

    ¡°Sure. But here¡¯s two things. You have friends. And you¡¯re a good person.¡± Krimm walked away as Vega looked down, hoping that Krimm could make the choice Skaldi did. To improve on himself while still engaging with others. ¡°One more thing, you¡¯re actually not a bad musician.¡±

    ¡°One more thing¡­ we¡¯re both Ghosts.¡±

    The rest of the houses were the same as the first one they checked. Layers of dust and decay, voices of elfs living their lives as mundane as normal. Like the sounds of eating food, children playing, or people snoring in their beds. Outside of their homes, spears and shields lay on the ground, also abandoned. This day was important. The day of a battle.

    At the far end of the grove, the two discovered a mass grave of sorts. Hundreds of weapons on the grass and flowers, thousands of arrows embedded in the hills ahead. Crouching down beside one arrow, Krimm could hear the faint but dying breathing of a man. She recognized this place clearly.

    ¡°We can stop-stop if ya need to.¡±

    ¡°No. We keep going.¡±

    Slowly, they scoured all of it. Not a person, not a soul. Not even their bones. Only the hollow wind was the only rhythm there.

    Nobody was there, except a faint gray figure, alone on the hill.

    ¡°Krimm, do ya see that?¡± Vega pointed up to it, almost excited there was a living being. They both ran up the figure, getting clearly the closer they came. Only a few yards from it, they stopped. They saw a statue, not one to glory a hero or ruler. In contrast, the statue was remarkably human, full of wrinkles and scars.

    The statue was of Kaliber and had a long inscription, one long enough that Vega thought it might answer some of her questions. It read¡­

    ¡°To the one who searches¡­

    I wish only that I could have met you. But now that you have arrived, I must tell you this. There is a secret, one that may save you, and maybe those you love.

    Of instructions to craft a Soul Gem. Only a construct can make it. I have made sure of that.

    But only one construct can play it.

    There is so much I wish to tell you, but I can no longer. Not here.

    I am Kaliber. But I am not your creator.

    You are learning, and will face much struggle. But you are not a failure.

    I know, you might miss Kaliber, might miss this sense of normality. Of being whole.

    And you are hoping that I can somehow fix it. But I can¡¯t.

    I am not the person I wished to be. And I am not the person people needed me to be.

    Not what Ena needed me to be.

    You already know what to do. All you need to do is to realize it.

    You are art given life. A death given power.

    Do good.

    Get to the next tower. The other construct is waiting for you there.

    Remember Ena¡¯s words.

    Ani Arma must die.¡±

 Chapter 68: Face the Music

    Chapter 68: Face the Music

    Now while Vega and Krimm were having a heartfelt moment, you might be expecting the other three to be also experiencing an event of such emotional significance. It certainly was emotional, I¡¯ll give it that.

    Lady Lai, the bandit Skaldi and the party had last seen months ago back in Core Civitus, was standing right in front of him. Sure, he was bleeding from the nose, so he was a little disoriented. However, he could not deny the full size and scope of Lai and Chakrit''s sudden appearance. No amount of confusion could make that unclear.

    ¡°Lai¡­¡±

    ¡°Skaldi¡­¡± She put her hands on her hips and bent forward, staring down at the shorter elf. Skaldi did the same, taking a deep breath and looking furious.

    ¡°You son of a bit-¡±

    ¡°~No choreograph slaps please.~¡± Amir groaned, putting his dagger back and pinching the bridge of his nose.¡±

    ¡°Quiet you!¡± Skaldi and Lady Lai ordered at the same time. ¡°Finally, we meet agai-¡±

    ¡°Who are they? I¡¯m still kinda new here.¡± Sorbet asked, bending down to Chakrit.

    ¡°They¡¯re the Falconers. So called bandits that are made up of Amber Chakrit, a guy who is exhausted, and smart at making shit or whatever. And Lai over here is dumb and tall.¡± Skaldi dryly listed off traits on his fingers.

    ¡°Not an inaccurate description, but could be better.¡± Chakrit had no complaints, adjusting to this sudden appearance of Skaldi quite well. Lady Lai however seemed to be taking in all that was happening, particularly relating to Skaldi.

    ¡°What-what the fuck, what is this crap? What¡¯s with your outfit? Are you wearing makeup?!¡± Lady Lai launched out of the trapdoor and landed in front of the redhead.

    ¡°Yes bitch.¡± Skaldi snapped his fingers at her.

    ¡°Also he¡¯s wearing fruits to fake having boobs.¡± Chakrit pointed out, like a totally fucking nerd.

    ¡°And I look damn good.¡± Skaldi added. He wanted to continue to bicker and annoy Lai, but he sobered up from the surprise, he knew he had a job to do. ¡°Anyway, what are you doing here?¡±

    ¡°Stealing stuff.¡±

    ¡°Fair enough. But it''s not very clear.¡±

    ¡°Hold on, I¡¯m still not getting who they are?¡± Sorbet raised her hand, out of the loop on their relationship and history.

    ¡°Really? Failed to talk about me and Chakirt, huh Skaldi? About how we helped you with the Concert of Combat? Is that giving you any reminders?!¡± Lady Lai¡¯s face went fierce red, burning like hot coals.

    ¡°Concert of Combat? Is it just alliteration for some event?¡± Sorbet shrugged, which made the ones who could understand her look at her like an alien.

    ¡°No worries, it¡¯s only the most popular and dangerous arena match in Iozia¡¯s history!¡± Chakrit screamed at her, upset that she couldn¡¯t even begin to imagine how important it was.

    ¡°Calm down! You might give away our position. Now, please take a breath.¡± Skaldi held out her hands in a friendly fashion. Lai calmed down only slightly, while Chakrit composed himself enough.

    ¡°We¡¯re going to need to catch you up on some things.¡± He said to Sorbet, groaning in disappointment.

    ¡°We¡¯ll do that later. Chakrit, can you explain in more detail? What you both are doing. Please?¡± Skaldi offered a hand to him, which Chakrit took as he climbed out.

    ¡°Okay¡­ where to begin¡­ Ah. At the beginning! It all started when I was born-¡±

    ¡°Not like that! I mean, what are you guys doing in the manor?¡±

    ¡°Oh, we¡¯re trying to steal from the bank.¡± Chakrit shrugged.

    ¡°Isn¡¯t the bank inside Jantok Sky?¡± Sorbet questioned, which led to Lady Lai turning from an angry red to an embarrassed red.

    ¡°Yeah¡­ sure¡­ I totally knew that¡­¡±

    She totally didn¡¯t fucking know that.

    ¡°Hey guys! Want to see me chug this pot of absolute gaarrbage?¡± A voice yelled down the hall, followed by several voices chanting yes following by a gross chugging.

    ¡°Move, get into the floor!¡± Lady Lai pushed all three down into the trapdoor, followed by Chakrit closing it as he entered.

    In the dark wooden floor, sprays of sawdust and cramped space made the whole thing quite tight, especially with how big Amir and Lai were.

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    ¡°Who were they? Are the watchmen here?¡± Lai asked, worrying that her family had found her out.

    ¡°No. It''s just the party outside coming inside to celebrate¡­ uhh, Neo Rem Day was it?¡± Skaldi corrected, trying to remember what day it was.

    ¡°Neo Rem Day? How long have we been underground?¡± Chakrit wondered, wiping a sweat on his brow. The pounding of steps from above them came, and they all went quiet. A small group was standing above the trapdoor and likely were doing what you might be expecting them to do.

    ¡°Look, we¡¯re trying to find your family to go talk to them. Can you just show us the way and we don¡¯t have to talk anymore.¡±

    ¡°Shit, that easy? Sure!¡± Lady Lai, wanting to spend no more time with Skaldi, struck the wooden boards they were all crouching on.

    ¡°Wait, what are you doing?¡±

    ¡°Making a way!¡±With a firm fist, she punched and a large crack formed. Followed by another. And another.

    The floor split apart and they all fell down, landing atop on convenient plush carpet and rugs. Dust and wood splinters were the worst they had to deal with, with Amir coughing especially.

    ¡°~Nevermind. Skaldi, kick her ass when you get the chance.~¡±

    Getting up from atop each other, they felt a slight relief from the landing.

    ¡°See, I told you those petals were lucky.¡± Sorbet happily rose up and scanned the room, before stopping at the corner.

    ¡°Ouch¡­ my everything. Where are¡­¡± Skaldi laid face down on the floor. He pushed himself up and stopped as well, seeing the entire Lai family in his view.

    Well, I shouldn¡¯t say family because it isn¡¯t quite accurate. A more apt word would be¡­ clan.

    Roughly about a hundred fifty two people, including thirty eight children or so. All of them were eating dinner, sharing a great long table decked out with whole roasted animals galore. Servants pouring wine and water, incense burning. There were even some priests as well. And all of them had their mouths open, open because five people just busted through their ceiling.

    It¡¯s roughly the second most unexpected thing that had happened to them that day. The first was what Skaldi saw on the horizon.

    Using Skaldi¡¯s head as a footstool, Lady Lai stood up and waved at the whole room, as if nothing was the matter.

    ¡°Hi ma! I¡¯m back after vacation!¡±

    Within a matter of minutes, everyone was locked underneath the manor. So much for being sneaky and using subterfuge.

    Though the accommodations were spacious and the bars were made up of wood, they were stripped of pretty much all equipment. Well, asides than Sorbet boobie thingy. Everyone sat on one side either on a bench on the hard ground.

    Lai were forced to the other side alone as a group voted punishment for getting them all locked up.

    Five watchmen, decked out in garb specifically designed to reflect the Lai family¡¯s fashion senses, eyed the whole group. Their weapons and armor stacked on a shelf, with their other trinkets there.

    Except for Skaldi¡¯s bag of handing and smoke bomb, which he had managed to successfully hid in his dress. And if the watchmen had noticed, what were they going to do? Ask to see his tits? What fucking creeps.

    Not to say that he could use them, seeing as they were all trapped. No way out, aside from waiting. Sorbet, shivering on the ground, was taking this the worst. Skaldi, who was simply waiting for another person to throw his plan off the rails, was taking it the best.

    ¡°Hey Lai?¡± Skaldi asked, resting his head on his knee.

    ¡°...yeah?¡±

    ¡°...that was really d-¡±

    ¡°You shut up or I will turn you into a crime scene.¡± Lai pointed only a finger back at him.

    ¡°Yeah, great talk.¡±

    ¡°Not gonna lie, not our finest moment.¡± Chakrit stood, walking over to the bars. Though he could tell the watchmen were tracking him, he couldn¡¯t see their eyes, which made it all the more nerve wracking.

    ¡°Not¡­ not like this.¡± Sorbet''s voice quivered with worry.

    ¡°Hey, we¡¯ll be okay. Ain¡¯t nothing wrong. We¡¯ll get out of this.¡± Skaldi crouched down beside her, laying his arm around her.

    ¡°I know¡­ I know. I just¡­ I don¡¯t like being trapped. I want to be free.¡± Sorbet brushed over her multi-colored skin. Looking over it with a vague sense of imprisonment. She was disturbed by something, a faint tear coming to her eye and she quickly brushed it away.

    Skaldi wondered what had happened to her in Jantok Sky. If there was something sinister in there. Despite that, he knew that would wait. He had to assure her they would survive this.

    ¡°We will be free. Just give us some time. To figure something out.¡± As Skaldi finished, Amir rose from his seat and sat beside Sorbet.

    ¡°~...calm down little one. All will be right.~¡± Amir offered a hand to Sorbet, which she slightly recoiled at.

    ¡°Heh, does the big guy think I¡¯m a kid or something?¡± She giggled a little, still frightened but in a better mood. She gave a small half five to Amir. It was very cool.

    ¡°It¡¯s nice you guys are all supportive and shit, but we need to come up with something. Amber, Skaldi, get over here.¡± Lai motioned the two to her. Chakrit wetn without second guessing, but Skaldi didn¡¯t. He wanted to stay with his team and work with them. But there wasn¡¯t much they could do, so he decided to head over to the Falconers.

    ¡°Gotcha. Any ideas on getting out?¡± Skaldi asked, looking back on Sorbet as he spoke.

    ¡°Well my family is rich, so the floor breaking open and stuff shouldn¡¯t be a problem. However, I doubt whatever you guys were doing is going to go through well since we¡¯ve broken their trust.¡±

    ¡°I doubt we¡¯ll get killed. But imprisoned for a couple years, likely.¡± Chakrit grabbed onto the bars, resting his head against them.

    ¡°Fuck. We can¡¯t stay for anymore than a month.¡± Skaldi spoke quietly, not wanting to raise alarm in an already bad situation.

    If what he saw on the horizon, only a couple minutes ago, was real, then they were in really big trouble.

    ¡°By the way, what were you guys doing here?¡± Lai asked, crossing her arms at Skaldi. He wondered if he should tell her all the details, seeing that there were watchmen nearby. But knowing that a violent and forceful escape wasn¡¯t going to happen, he let caution go to the wind.

    ¡°The team and I are working for three Oligarchs, and they want to recruit your family.¡± Skaldi kept it quick and easy to digest. Both of them tilted their heads in mild surprise.

    ¡°An elf working for Oligarchs? Have things really gotten that bad for you?¡± Chakrit teased.

    ¡°Yeah, and why do you keep on wearing that flower thing on your eye, isn¡¯t that uncomfortable?¡± Lai questioned, also not knowing what had happened to Skaldi. The redhead brushed his hair away and took off his eyepatch.

    ¡°Not bad for me, but bad for¡­ like¡­ all of Iozia?¡±

    ¡°You lost an eye? YOU LOST AN EYE?¡±

    ¡°Yeah yeah, shit happens. Fell down a sewer, snake skin cleaved my face with an axe, Vega saved me, big whoop.¡±

    Lai made sure to take full advantage of Skaldi¡¯s disability, by standing out of his line of sight and flipping him off.

    ¡°Again, very confused. Why are some Oligarchs trying to hire Sun¡¯s family?¡± Chakrit raised a brow.

    ¡°My name is Lady Lai, not Sun.¡±

    ¡°Yeah, and I get paid a decent wage.¡±

    ¡°The fucks a wage?¡± Lai said, confused by the concept.

    ¡°Listen!¡± Skaldi grabbed both of their shoulders. ¡°You don¡¯t know have bad things have gotten. Not with me, but something happening soon. The Tripolians are going to-¡°

    A great crash silenced the room, the doors to the prison opened. The five watchmen turned and got down on one knee.

    Two figures approached the bars of their cell, with the same staggering stature of Lai and a fierce yet calm look on their faces.

    ¡°Ma, Dad?¡±

    ¡°Silence Sun Lai. We¡¯ll have much to discuss with you later. Now¡­ for buiness¡­¡±

 Chapter 69: On the Horizonâ€¦

    Chapter 69: On the Horizon¡­

    When backed into a corner, when heaven rejects, what should one do? You can join arms with devils, sure, but what is the future that lies before you?

    Do you deny it or accept it?

    Skaldi wondered, if a magical miracle could occur, that might be able to find a path into a future that made sure everyone could survive. Seeing the horizon made him sure that the sun was setting soon, both literally and metaphorically.

    He needed to do his part, to build a way forward. And he wasn¡¯t going to do it alone.

    And he certainly wasn¡¯t going to do it fearlessly, that''s for sure.

    ¡°You, the elf. Who, are you?¡±

    The lady, dressed in a steel blue color, like wearing fake armor, pointed a large finger at Skaldi¡¯s face. His eyes widened and held out his arms in a friendly fashion, trying to put on a kind image. But the intimating look on them both made that impossible.

    ¡°Holy shit they¡¯re huge.¡± Skaldi backed up, very much spooked.

    ¡°T-they¡¯re actually smaller than I expected.¡± Sorbet shrugged, a tad disappointed. Still, she too was scared.

    ¡°Shut it.¡± Chakrit whispered down to her.

    ¡°All three of you, it seems. The Tripolian, the elf, and the servant. What are you doing here? How did you break in?¡± The father, with a booming voice, demanded with a clenched fist.

    ¡°Actually, the door was open and no one stopped us. Whole party thing and all?¡± Lai stepped in front of the group, looking back only on Chakrit. She seemed ready to take the blame. ¡°Dad, can I please explai-¡±

    ¡°Sun. You will not interrupt or interfere again. Your mother already said we¡¯ll speak to you later. Is that clear?¡± With a stern voice, the father instructed Lai. Bowing her head down and nodding slowly, she stepped away from them. Now, the three were unprotected from the parent¡¯s interrogation.

    ¡°...U-uh, I¡¯m Skaldi¡­ I¡¯m a guy and uh, that there is Amir.¡± He started to regain a little confidence, remembering that his teammates were there with him. ¡°And over there is Sorbet. She¡¯s new around here.¡±

    ¡°...understood. Skaldi, why are you here, dressed like¡­ this?¡± The mother walked with her hand on her chin, gently rubbing it.

    ¡°Well, you see, that¡¯s a very complicated question.¡± Skaldi shrugged, looking away from the mother¡¯s burning gaze.

    ¡°Enlighten me.¡± She said quickly.

    ¡°Right¡­¡± The redhead thought of how he was going to get out of this. How he was going to get everyone out. Should he lie, maybe he could tell them that they just wanted to party and to hang out? Perhaps that they wanted to meet them and flatter them with some gifts he could pull out?

    No, that wouldn¡¯t work. Not because it was obvious, because even if they did get out, all of Uvi Jantok would be doomed. No more support, no knowledge on what¡¯s in the Lai Bank. And more personal, he would be lying to himself about what he was doing. Doing good in his own way.

    He wasn¡¯t going to feign some persona, some false unhappy identity to appease those that lord over him. He was going to fight.

    ¡°Fine. I decided that dressing me and my team as girls would be the best way to get into your home in order to make a deal with you about the future of Iozia.¡± He spoke clearly, strutted up towards the parents, and looked them directly into their eyes. His heart beated fast and he felt the sweat build up on his skin like acid. But he knew that he couldn¡¯t erase that fear, he could only work with it.

    Everyone stared at him, their mouths agape. Even the watchmen were impressed by his boldness.

    ¡°...You¡¯re right. That is very complicated.¡± The father briefly turned away, also putting his hand on his chin. The parents mirrored each other, almost standing in the same height and position.

    ¡°Y-yeah that¡¯s kind of the gist of it.¡± Sorbet stood next to Skaldi, hiding behind him.

    ¡°~I have no clue what is happening, but the boy is doing something right.~¡± Amir talked to himself, swaying his head to the people in the cell.

    ¡°Is that a good sign Lai? Lai?¡± Skaldi asked again, but she wasn¡¯t in the mood to add on. She seemed hurt, which Skaldi believed to be the first time the big lady showed any type of weakness. If he wasn¡¯t in this situation because of her, he might have seen a little bit of himself in her.

    ¡°Yes, could you please go on? Not with the dressing up, but with the deal? What is this, this deal?¡± The mother asked in a tone less fierce and more concerned. The type concerned not of death, but of a merchant worrying about their money. Less empathic yet captivated.

    ¡°How to put this¡­¡±

    ¡°W-we¡¯re getting invaded by Tripolians in a month or so.¡± Sorbet blurted out, not sparing a thought for anyone¡¯s reactions. She relaxed after saying it, like lava cooling after erupting. Everyone else, not so much.

    ¡°Really?¡± The parents staggered, falling against each other.

    ¡°Really?!¡± Chakrit and Lai grabbed her by the shoulders and held her up in the air, her legs swinging to touch the ground.

    ¡°Fuck. What?¡± One of the watchmen cursed out, as the five stumbled and struggled to stand. Their facade of strength and calm was broken by such news.

    ¡°Oh this is really bad.¡± The senior most watchmen trotted up to the parents, barely able to keep composure.

    ¡°And really complicated!¡± The father gripped the sides of his head, shaking himself.

    ¡°Hold on! That¡¯s not the whole story.¡± Skaldi held out his arms to the ones in and outside the cell. Chakrit and Lai put Sorbet down slowly, waiting for Skaldi to elaborate.

    ¡°Where the hell was this news two weeks ago? Would have been nice to know this before getting stuck here!¡± Lai grabbed Skaldi¡¯s arm hard, making a bluish bruise immediately.

    ¡°Okay¡­ first Sorbet, please let me explain this before we continue, okay?¡± He turned to look at her, and she nodded. ¡°Second, Lai, could you not do that?¡±

    ¡°Just explain.¡± She let go, and focused intently.

    ¡°Alright¡­ here in this bag contains a few copies of the notes me and my team captured while out on the sea. It came from a Tripolian war camp, set on the Isle of Blight Elves, not too far from here.¡± Stalling for a moment to calm himself, he pulled the bag of handing and dug into it. Pulling out two scrolls, he held them out through the prison bars.

    ¡°I-I wrote it down if it helps. And Amir! He was the one who translated for us.¡± Sorbet pointed back at him, trying to better qualify their backstory.

    The parents gestured to the watchmen to come to them and started to show them the scrolls containing the plans for the invasion. Details like Operation Stomach Breaker, troubled them severally.

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    ¡°Goals. Burn Iozian fields of food crops to feed themselves. Destroy enough Silphium to cause a population crisis within the Oligarchy, leading to mass famine. No supplies, no food. Destroying Silphium¡­ oh no.¡± The head watchmen read out just loud enough so that Lai and Chakrit heard.

    ¡°What!? That¡¯s impossible. If they wanted to do that, they¡¯d have to burn all of Uvi Jantok¡­ they want to burn all of Uvi Jantok.¡± The realization in Lai¡¯s voice was cold. There a great worry appeared on her face. This problem couldn¡¯t be put on hold. It was coming, whether she liked it or not.

    ¡°So¡­ big surprise! We¡¯re fucked, that¡¯s what we are.¡± Chakrit shook his head, not even attempting to come up with a solution.

    Outside, they could all hear the partying of people in the Cloud District. Drunk, energetic, and ignorant. While on the inside of the manor, in this single room, the truth had been revealed. A despairing one.

    The father stopped analyzing the scroll for a moment and put on his fierce face once more. He unlocked the doors to the cell.

    ¡°Skaldi. This is¡­ fascinating information. You and your team. Come, we¡¯ll take you to our safe room.¡± He snapped his fingers and the watchmen escorted the three down the halls.

    ¡°Wait! I haven¡¯t told you about what I saw on the horizon yet! We still can-¡±

    ¡°Silence! An armada, an invasion force like that? Even the Lai family can¡¯t fight that. We cannot fight this! We must go.¡± The father hurried, motioning the watchmen into a steel door.

    Cannot fight? That scared Skaldi. That a man of such power and influence didn¡¯t even consider to resist, not out of pure cowardice, but out of its impossibility.

    Could they even survive?

    With one watchman locking the door behind them, Lai and Chakrit remained, stuck and contained.

    ¡°Ma? Please. Don¡¯t leave me here.¡± Reaching out of the bars, she pleaded for her mom not to abandon her.

    ¡°Enough out of you¡­¡± Not even looking at her daughter, the mother moved further down the hall. Skaldi turned his head and saw Lai¡¯s head slump down, with Chakrit comforting her.

    For a moment, he wondered if he should leave them to their fate. Afterall, Lai had never been much good to him.

    But no, no could be left like that, especially after such a dump of negative news. He wouldn¡¯t do that, not to a person that was alike to himself.

    ¡°Wait! Bring Lai and Chakrit.¡± Skaldi broke away from the watchmen, backing up to the cell the two were still locked in.

    ¡°...do you need them?¡± The mother asked, her eyes filled with disdain of Lai and Chakrit. Lai held her arm shyly, somewhat pathetic. And yet, Skaldi recognized how Lai was still young, like himself.

    He didn¡¯t need them. But the road is better walked with more people.

    ¡°...Yes.¡± Skaldi said clearly and firmly. Standing in silence for a few seconds, the mother snapped her fingers and one of the watchmen opened the cells.

    ¡°You better not be lying, elf.¡± She said, passing him by. Not far behind, Lai and Chakrit stopped to see Skaldi. Giving him a simple thumbs up, Chakrit passed him quickly. However, Lai stayed a lot longer, as if to see what had happened to this person she had thought she knew.

    What part of him had caused the change? The loss of his eye? His height, his build? Not a couple months before Skaldi would have likely rejoiced at Lai¡¯s imprisonment, but now he was showing her a side that she didn¡¯t think existed.

    Perhaps it had always existed, but someone helped to bring it out. Maybe it was the scarecrow, she thought. Sparing not one more moment of awkwardness, Lai headed down the hall, leaving Skaldi there.

    ¡°...can we do this¡­no. We have to do this. Together we are what we aren¡¯t alone.¡±

    In a chamber lined with two inches of iron and pipes supplying them air, this safe room was every bit prepared for devastation. Built more like a warehouse, stocks of long lasting grains, pickled vegetables, and salt barrels lined the tall shelves around. You could survive, but not live.

    Of the few luxuries, a decorated water fountain and a small gymnasium for general health. Otherwise, this place was gloomy, lacking any natural light. Candles and lanterns were your best friend here. And the silent dark was your worst enemy.

    Already stock piling more gear into the warehouses, ghost servants did most of the hard and dirty work of bringing everything in. As the parents and the military men continued to labor over the plans, Skaldi couldn¡¯t help but focus on those ghosts. Tired and exhausted, while the rest of Uvi Jantok was partying.

    ¡°The thirteenth day of the first month of the new year. That''s barely forty days or so. Forty three, at best.¡± An adviser cracked his pen in his hand, the stress of the whole situation getting to them all. Amir and Sorbet sat on the fountain, wading their hands in the water. Messengers had already been sent to where the rest of the team, all they had to do was wait.

    Chakrit was allowed to join the advisors, where he kept a paranoid but optimistic view, probably the only one there with one.

    Lai stood a couple feet away from Skaldi, where he was leaning against the wall. She was building up her courage to do something, for what Skaldi did not know. He began to feel more and more impatient.

    Sure, people in power were actually taking this seriously. However, everyone outside of this safehouse, outside the Lai manor, had not a clue. They needed to know. They needed to be a part of this.

    Taking off his eye patch, he wandered over to the fountain. Sorbet and Amir didn¡¯t ask to see what he was doing, they could tell by his reflection in the water.

    What am I?

    What can we be?

    I am the man I want to be, and the man people need me to be?

    His thoughts muddled, rippling like the fountain water. The image of himself he could only look at with one eye, the other ruined. He hated it, but he had also come to terms with it. What he feared is that more would suffer like himself. Run away from doing what was right, robbing for only monetary gain. Drinking to drown himself in a false bliss.

    ¡°Skaldi. What are you doing? We have survived! You have saved us.¡± The mother put a hand on his shoulder, in much better spirits than she was.

    ¡°No. If we hide, we¡¯re ensuring everyone out there dies. We¡¯d be no better than Tibato.¡± He didn¡¯t move, still staring at his watery reflection.

    ¡°Does he know about this? Well, even bett-¡±

    ¡°He isn¡¯t going to do anything.¡± Skaldi brushed her arm off of his shoulder. ¡°He didn¡¯t even care. He¡¯s hiding behind those walls of his. And you¡¯re doing the same.¡±

    ¡°...¡± She didn¡¯t have a response for that. Lai could see it, if faintly, the mother was feeling guilty.

    The reason he had a scar and not a grave was because someone saved him. Vega saved him. But after that, how did he save himself? Because of Valiato, because he wanted to protect her. Because of Bolato, because he loved him.

    He had something to fight for. To live and die for. Something more than himself.

    In a way, Skaldi believed that was magical. Maybe, that¡¯s how they might be able to survive.

    ¡°What¡¯s in the Lai Bank?¡± He went up to her, not caring to put his eyepatch back on.

    ¡°Excuse you?¡±

    ¡°What is in it? We need to know if we¡¯re going to save everyone.¡± Skaldi demanded, gesturing to all the folks there. The mother looked towards the father, who had been listening in. He gave a quick nod, and the mother pulled Skaldi up the stairs. Seeing this, the rest of the team went with them.

    After a minute, they stood on a balcony overlooking all of Uvi Jantok. From the Cloud District to all the way to the docks. The mother hadn¡¯t noticed the rest of them and when she saw all she could muster was an angry look. The sun had started to set, the sky turning dark orange.

    ¡°...the Lai Bank. The Lai Bank. That is why we are so powerful. We store and trade the money of the wealthy there for generations. Recently, its purpose has changed.¡±

    ¡°How so? Is there more money, more shit rich folk don¡¯t know what to do with?¡± Skaldi laughed it out nervously. The mother wasn¡¯t offended, seeing that she was outnumbered. Lai and Chakrit peered their heads out from the stairs, which the mother had noticed. Breathing out a sigh, she went on.

    ¡°There¡¯s a treasure so grand in the Lai Bank. Rather, that¡¯s the name we had for what Kaliber had in store.¡±

    ¡°Kaliber? You mean Kaliber Scherzade, the lady Vega is looking for?¡± Skaldi¡¯s recoiled, along with the rest of the team. Sorbet, feeling the Soul Gem she had stolen, wondered if that was one of Kaliber¡¯s

    ¡°The fucks a Vega?¡± The mother blurted out.

    ¡°She¡¯s a friend, mom. Sort of.¡± Lai stepped out of the stairs.

    ¡°There''s our family fortune in there, yes. But the real treasure, the real valuable things are what Kaliber had us store inside. Not even Oligarch Tibato knows.¡± Pointing up to the Black Wall, she spoke quietly. The mist of clouds was not high enough to enter.

    ¡°What is it?¡±

    ¡°Her third tower. Before she had disappeared, we made a contract that it would be transported inside. We know where it is in the bank itself, but we aren¡¯t able to open the tower¡¯s doors.¡±

    ¡°If we could, what would be in there?¡± Chakrit asked.

    ¡°Soul Gems.¡± Sorbet spoke, presenting her Soul Gem in her hand, shining a sunrise of green. Glowing brightly below dimming, she closed her fist around it. ¡°If Kaliber is involved, it has to do with Soul Gems. Vega interacted with this Soul Gem when she got emotional, angry.¡±

    ¡°She made a pitchfork manifest out of nothing. If we get more Soul Gems¡­ who knows what she could do.¡± Skaldi laid his hands on the balcony, looking out to the horizon.

    What he saw was still a terrifying threat, but this idea of Vega¡¯s untapped ability made it seem defeatable. Together.

    ¡°Still. Who can open the tower?¡± Chakrit questioned, hoping for an answer.

    ¡°¡­I think I know someone who can. First, we need to make sure they don¡¯t break us¡­¡± Skaldi raised his fist to the horizon. Everyone moved closer to see what it was, and gasped as they did.

    Twenty warships, black dots underneath the sun. The Tripolians were sending forces already.

 Chapter 70: What I was Made for

    Chapter 70:

    What I was Made for

    Scarecrows, much like people, aren¡¯t born. They¡¯re made.

    Some hay there, old clothes to hold them together, and some sticks to make them stand up. People, be it humans, elves, mermaids, or whatever being, are the same.

    Flesh, organs, and beliefs and truths. I hate beliefs, how they can mislead people to their doom or to dooming other people.

    Like Sabere dying at Vega¡¯s hand, like Runtaii into this unplanned and unprepared invasion, weeks too early. With Ani Arma¡­ a man that thought he must do everything his ruler told him and not to spare a thought for his family or even himself¡­

    And me¡­ a ghost of a person long past. Someone who cheated, like Ani Arma, of the ways things must be.

    Despite all this cosmic and earthly material, none of us are born with purpose ingrained into our fibers, woven in like a story quilt. And so often we struggle to find it, to realize it, to remember it.

    To sing it.

    To create it.

    To love it.

    Vega is such a person, who may be different in craft and form, but whose soul we can find on our own. One that wants to figure all of it out, wanting someone to fill that hole in ourselves that we believe can only be filled by other people.

    That if we¡¯re alone, we can¡¯t be strong. Or that we can only do it alone.

    My dear student, if you take anything away from my teachings, remember this. You are so much more than what you think you are. And you are capable of incredible feats, be it big or small. Saving someone, or making a person smile.

    It¡¯s okay to be scared of not knowing what to do, or who you want to be. But never let anyone stop you, and never stop yourself.

    The truth will set you free. Find your truth.

    Anyways, besides all that vague pseudo-philosophical bull crap, let¡¯s get into all the nasty interpersonal drama and fights! Grab your popcorn, this is going to be fun.

    ¡°...You already know what to do. All you need to do is to realize it. You are art given life. A death given power. ¡­Do good...¡± Her eyes glazed over the inscriptions and she repeated them over and over again.

    Kneeling down to the foot of the statue, Vega touched the words, feeling the spaces in them, and the power they carried. The graveyard of the battlefield behind them, the dark deeds of Kaliber. The truth is, Kaliber wasn¡¯t a good person. Kaliber wasn''t like Vega much at all.

    Krimm winced as the scarecrow sank down. Knowing the meaning Kaliber had both to Ani Arma and to Vega gave her perspective, a sobering one at that. This place, this memory, was the battlefield where her lover Kalio had passed.

    Here and in the past, there was no body to be found. Putting two fingers on her scar, she finally realized why. Gem Harvest used the dead¡¯s and the dying¡¯s power and transformed them into Soul Gems. Krimm might have commended Kaliber for such a cunning tactic, but it just made her feel alone.

    ¡°...clod¡­¡± Hearing stone break, Krimm spun around to Vega, the scarecrow¡¯s back facing her. Vega¡¯s glove hand gripped tight at the inscriptions, each finger forming cracks around the statue¡¯s base. Grunting, those cracks turned to chasms and her fingers plunged deeper into the stone.

    And out from her palms, tiny vines the size of flower stems formed.

    ¡°Vega¡­ what are you-¡± Krimm fell back, amazed at what Vega was doing. There was not a Soul Gem to be found, and yet she was making vines appear out of nowhere.

    ¡°Huh-huh?¡± Turning her head back, Vega¡¯s face was remarkably more dumbfounded than an upset floor or pain filled grimace. Like she had been asked a question to a conversation she wasn¡¯t listening to.

    ¡°...you¡¯re doing magic!¡± Krimm pointed to her hands, which Vega flipped and put them directly on her eyes.

    ¡°I am? Wha-what the hell? It was the rose first, and now vine-vines!¡±

    ¡°Technically you were using vines back in the first Obstacle.¡± Krimm also pointed out, in a figurative sense.

    ¡°Yeah, but that-that place had a fucked up Soul Gem. Here? I¡­I¡­¡± Slowly going silently, Vega¡¯s gaze returned to the statue of Kaliber. Her brows bent and she gritted her teeth, like she was biting down on her own heart.

    ¡°Hey, Vega. Are you okay?¡±

    ¡°Sorry! I¡¯m just having an existential crisis right now.¡± Vega apologized, bowing twice and scratching the back of her head in embarrassment. ¡°Is that norm-normal?¡±

    ¡°Is anything normal around here? The last place we were in was a giant cave that had painful echoes.¡± Pushing herself up with her knee, Krimm cautiously stepped to Vega. ¡°Look, Vega, I need to-¡±

    ¡°I really need to cry-cry right now. One minute please.¡± The moment she finished speaking, a waterfall of¡­ well, water, belched out of her animated eye sockets. Happening so rapidly, Krimm had to dodge out the way, yelping as she did.

    If you spot this tale on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation.

    ¡°Holy shit that¡¯s a lot of tears! Are you making a puddle right now?¡± Raising her now soaked boot, dripping immensely. ¡°Fuck, how I even deal with this?¡±

    ¡°Krimm, please, I need some support here.¡± Vega didn¡¯t move her position, simply waving her to her side, like the amount of crying she was doing was anything someone could just support away.

    ¡°Uh, you¡¯re a very good singer, you have the best hair on a scarecrow I¡¯ve seen ever, and I think you¡¯re a really good person?!¡± The Assassin grabbed her two pigtails and pulled, hoping that just one of those would work.

    ¡°Not that type of support, but I appreciate it nonetheless. Still, my eyes are crying, my heart is hurting, and I really want to eat ice cream for some reason.¡± Vega¡¯s voice now recognizing the severe stress she was going through, now changed from neutral to mildly displeased.

    ¡°Well¡­ are you breathing?¡±

    ¡°I don¡¯t need to breathe Krimm. I do, however, need to blink for some fucking reason.¡±

    ¡°Right. Uhhh, fuck, I don¡¯t know how to do this¡­ do you¡­¡± Krimm heistated whether to suggest the option she had or not, but seeing that Vega was obviously in shock, she decided to do it. ¡°... do you want me to slap it out of you?¡±

    ¡°Honestly¡­ hell-hell yeah.¡±

    ¡°Alright.¡± Backing up to get enough momentum for a proper slap, Krimm prepared the meanness slap in the history of the continents. I¡¯m talking ear ringing, nation breaking level of slap. Taking a breath in and narrowing her eyes, she was ready. ¡°Here goes!¡±

    Slep!  And yes, it sounded about as pathetic as the way I wrote it.

    For a couple of seconds the crying stopped, and Vega tapped her eyes testing them. Smiling wide, Vega jumped on down and cheered.

    ¡°Yay! Now I don''t have an existential crisi-¡± Immediately, the crying resumed in  greater velocity and violence, now less of a waterfall and more of a hurricane.

    ¡°Oh shit! That made the crying a lot worse!¡± Ducking below, Krimm wished the rest of her body to remain dry.

    ¡°...god why can¡¯t someone help me¡­¡± Vega spoke all gloomy, hugging herself and shaking. The tears trickled down the hill, splitting into streams among the blades of grass.

    Krimm didn¡¯t know what she had to do, it had been a while since she had encountered an emotional relationship, especially one of such volatility. How long had it been since she met someone like this, someone who could talk sense into her head, and someone who wanted to know more instead of rejecting her.

    How long had it been since someone had asked her name?

    The Assassin didn¡¯t know what to do. But the Elf Fairy, that part of herself that Krimm had forgotten or was made to forget, knew what had to be done.

    The Fairy hugged the Scarecrow.

    Within a minute, the hurricane turned to a waterfall. And a waterfall turned into a stream. And the stream turned to tears.

    Krimm held tight, and started to feel warmth in her heart. So did Vega.

    ¡°...what are ya doing?¡± Vega asked, realizing that it was Krimm hugging her. Not begrudgingly, not because she was forced to. Because she made that choice to stop someone from hurting.

    ¡°Wow. I think¡­ I actually felt that.¡± Putting a hand on Krimm¡¯s wrist, Vega hugged Krimm back. This killer had delivered her kindness, despite having been sour she was now sweet.

    Krimm, looking down at Vega, let go and stepped back awkwardly. What was she doing, she thought? Why did she do that? She was someone she had to bring back, not to hug or to be kind to. And yet, Krimm felt the closest thing to being genuinely happy while hugging Vega. The closest thing to friendship.

    ¡°...don¡¯t¡­ don¡¯t say anything. I¡­ I need to think.¡± Wandering back down the hill to see the graves of the Elfs, Krimm didn¡¯t turn around.

    ¡°...okay. Take your time.¡± Vega didn¡¯t chase after her, letting her examine her feelings on her own. After all, they both went through a literal and spiritual journey. Plus crying all that tears had left her a little exhausted. She needed some time to think over what would happen next.

    Leaving each other for an hour, the two separated and thought on their futures and their pasts.

    Krimm explored the landscape, charting down on how accurate the environment was and where certain events took place. The time she meet a river nymph, the time she helped an Elf boy from a tall tree, and the time she met her first Iozian. All memories if insignificant then, were important because they had happened here, and now they were important because they no longer existed. In recent years, battles and blood were all that Krimm knew.

    At least all she believed she knew.

    Sitting down in the graveyard, she picked up one spear and looked at it¡¯s metallic reflection. A weapon of war she never thought would touch her hands years ago, but now meant hardly anything. Just another tool.

    Weapons rarely had names, but Krimm had one. Vega called her by that name, but Ani Arma only referred to her by his designed purpose. The Fifth Assassin.

    Krimm dropped the spear and hugged herself in the fashion she did with Vega. She did not feel warm.

    Picking all types of flowers, hoping that she could take them with her if she could escape, Vega wanted to take this place with her. Sure, it was filled with death, misery, and all types of agony. However, this experience could not be reduced to that. Because she met Krimm. She met Ena. And she met Kaliber.

    Although Kaliber was not who she wished to be, and could not provide her the answers she so desperately wanted, she could not discount what did. Building several landscapes, showing memory¡¯s of Ena, and providing a road and a potential way to defeat Ani Arma. That dedication to help a person she would not see, that made Vega feel whole.

    Putting down the collection of flowers, Vega open her chest and pulled out the piece of paper, the one the monk had given her. It read¡­

    ¡°To the one who searches¡­¡±

    ¡°To the one who searches¡­¡± Feeling a tear welling up, Vega shook her head. She could simply eradicate all of her pain, or all of the doubt.

    Vega didn¡¯t want to end up like the landscapes she had seen before, alone and barren. Only friends with echoes of the past.

    But she knew that being alone didn¡¯t have to be her future, that so long as she pursued goodness and stopped those that would bring the world to ruin, she could find friendship and purpose in the simple things.

    With the moon at night.

    With a Snake Skin that sang with her.

    With the rhythm of the world.

    With an effeminate alcoholic elf.

    With a crow that spoke with her.

    She could find it with a smile.

    The scarecrow wrote down her purpose.

    ¡°To the one who searches¡­

    Ya are enough. Ya can be so much more.

    Ya are an artist. Ya are a learner.

    Ya are a warrior. Ya are a friend.

    Ya are Chaos. Ya are Unity.

    Ya are life and death.

    Ya are the mightest, smartest, kindest, and most bestest construct of all.

    Ya are Vega the Scarecrow.¡±

    Upon writing down her purpose, a rumbling hit the ground. And the tower spoke.

    ¡°ALL OBSTACLES COMPLETE! WELCOME HOME, Vega the Scarecrow!¡±

 Two Week Break!

    Hello everyone, Century Robot here.

    Now before you start pulling out your torches and pitchforks, allow me to explain some things.

    I recently got a job! WOOOOOOO! I am finally making money, and the job and the people there are pretty damn good. However, that kinda leaves little time to write shit and stuff. And I love shit.

    You could be reading stolen content. Head to the original site for the genuine story.

    The job, along with college, has left me with a lot less time than I expected. This is basically me saying that I got a life now.

    My love for writing and my love for Vega hasn''t dwindled, and I fully intend to complete this story. I love everything about being a writer and seeing people enjoy what I write is amazing and I cannot thank you all enough.

    I am taking a TWO WEEK break, and will be returning on the 16th! I want to spent the time to properly make this story, and I want to deliver something that you enjoy reading and that I enjoy writing.

    This isn''t me disappearing, I''m just on smoke break, alright?

    There will be more chapters to come, so stay tuned.

    And remember, the best is yet to come!

 Chapter 71: Heart vs Heart!

    Chapter 71: Heart vs Heart!

    Spiraling up in a rainbow air, Vega arrived at a place she had not been before. Like soaring through an unknown sky, the scarecrow felt freed from all that had contained her. The Voice, her insecurities, and herself. Whatever that would come her way, she wouldn¡¯t let anymore fears and worries stop her.

    ¡°WEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE-¡±

    And she was going to have a lot of fun.

    Happening in the speed of a snap, Vega found herself not flying but falling. More specifically, falling into a tangible place unlike all the things before. And she was falling rather fast.

    ¡°Oh fuck-¡± Slamming head first into pile of debris, she sent fragments of stone and papers flying. Having to dig herself out of the new place she was in, she swung her pickaxe wildly until she popped out of the top of the pile.

    ¡°...Where-where am I?¡± Vega stopped her swinging and her jaw dropped. A new obstacle, no. Nor was it the temple she had entered into.

    The walls lined with black stones, shelves that stacked high with books filling them to the brim. Where she had landed was indeed books in various stages of decomposition and treatment, with some of the pillars that held up the ceiling having collapsed a long time ago. Cracks and scars on the floor, some of them opening to show a strange scene. And strangely, Vega could feel air coming from those openings.

    Choosing to slide down the pile of books like a total badass, Vega went to the opening in the floor. Feeling the wind become stronger and stronger, she had to brace herself by going low to the ground to avoid getting blown away. Crawling to the edge of the opening, Vega saw something very few beings had seen.

    ¡°...Wait¡­ this can¡¯t¡­ oh. Holy fuck.¡± What she was seeing was Uvi Jantok. ALL of Uvi Jantok, from five hundred feet in the air. So, you know, not the average and at least a little different. ¡°WOOOO! I¡¯m on top-top of the world!¡±

    This view included a couple other things. Right now it was nighttime, with the moon shining down light to the whole city. Also, might be of more importance, there seemed to be a fire going on at the docks. Well, not just one fire, but like a pretty big one.

    ¡°Oh my-my.¡± Vega got up carefully, wondering how she was going to get back down. Afterall, she didn¡¯t exactly like being so high in the sky. Rubbing her chin for a moment, she got an idea. ¡°Maybe if I aim-aim for the bushes¡­¡±

    ¡°CURSES!¡± A voice yelled from behind her, before a shower of books and pebbles hit Vega¡¯s back. Looking around to see a dust cloud emerge from out the pile she landed on, Vega knew who it was.

    ¡°Krimm? I thought ya just disappeared!¡± Running up to the top, Vega stood over her, seeing that she was squashed and stuck.

    ¡°A little help here?¡± Krimm reached out her hand which Vega grabbed onto and hoisted up and out. Patting all over herself to clean the dust from her armor, Krimm began to take in where she was at. ¡°...What the fuck is this piece of shit?¡±

    ¡°Krimm. Be nice-nice.¡±

    ¡°Sorry, but I just got flung through a rainbow, so I¡¯m not exactly in a kind mood. Anyway, where are we?¡± Krimm crouched down and picked up a few sheets of paper, most of them written in Tripolian but a few in Iozian. Some of them were bound to rotting bits of leather, likely book covers.

    ¡°Yep-yep. We¡¯re in a big ole library.¡±

    ¡°Not just any library. That¡¯s for damn sure.¡± Krimm kicked away the papers and circled around the pile she was on.

    ¡°Hey, don¡¯t be disrespect-pectful of the library!¡± Vega flicked Krimm¡¯s forehead, causing her to reconsider her harsh actions. ¡°It¡¯s trying its best, okay?¡±

    ¡°Alright, whatever. Just¡­ let¡¯s get out of here. I¡­ I just don¡¯t want to be here is all.¡± Krimm looked up to the ceiling, seeing that the very roof was barely holding together, with cracks of moonlight breaking through like droplets of water. She wasn¡¯t lying about not wanting to be there, but there was more to it. She wanted to be safe. To be secure. Not to feel cold.

    ¡°Hold on. We¡¯re not done here.¡± Vega tugged on Krimm¡¯s shoulder, pointing down at what initially seemed to be another unremarkable pile of rubbish. But with a few seconds of examination, and Krimm¡¯s waning patience, they saw a stone staircase. Sure, practically buried under thousands of papers, but it was there.

    ¡°Huh. So this is the home that voice was talking about.¡± Krimm held onto Vega¡¯s wrist, gently walking her towards the staircase. ¡°...at least you have a home.¡±

    ¡°...No. This isn¡¯t my home. This is a memory I don¡¯t belong-long to.¡± She knew she was close, close to pushing Krimm over the edge. That here, in this decaying place high in the heavens, they could finally unite.

    Right now, she needed to find what Soul Gem Kaliber had been hinting at. If she could find it, then that might be a game changer.

    As they began to march down the stairs with accelerating pace, Vega thought on what had been written in the inscription. Another construct? One that¡¯s waiting for her? Maybe she might not end up alone after all. Perhaps there was someone who could explain things.

    Perhaps she didn¡¯t need things to be explained. For at least this day, Vega had enough of truth and history.

    She wished, for once in a long time, to be left alone with her thoughts.

    Seeing Krimm at her side, it made her wonder how alone Krimm really was. There wasn¡¯t anyone like her, no one who could explain what she was going through or how she should respond to it. In a way, Krimm had every right to be spiteful and bitter.

    But then a fucking again, does being bitter justify murdering people? Speaking of which¡­

    ¡°Hey Krimm, what do ya usually do in ya free-free time?¡± Vega asked, wanting to know more about Krimm than genocide of people and dead lovers.

    ¡°I dunno, sleep, eat¡­ I sometimes like to listen to leaves falling. Why do you ask?¡± She scratched the back of her head, not really understanding why Vega was interested in the mundane parts of her life. At least the mundane parts that remained.

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    ¡°Well, since ya are still technically kidnapping me, I thought it would be nice to prepare and all. But since ya I literally can¡¯t sleep or eat, I can¡¯t really do that.¡± Vega said, making Krimm laugh at how absurd Vega¡¯s very existence was.

    ¡°Hah! That¡¯s a shame really. You can cry and somehow blink, but tasting an apple or resting in a cool pillow isn¡¯t a possibility. Kinda sucks.¡±

    ¡°Not really. It¡¯s not that I really lost anything, I never had a sense of taste-taste to begin with. Besides¡­ I also like the sounds of leaves. They sound funny. Hehehe.¡± Vega couldn¡¯t wait to hear some normal rhythms, hopefully some with actual life in them.

    ¡°...huh¡­¡± Stopping on the staircase, Krimm decided to think about what Vega was saying, to give her the chance that Vega had provided for herself.

    Not really having a home. Not having a sense of taste. Not having a sense of self worth. Those were all things Vega had, Krimm knew. She doubted not that Vega was good, well meaning, and kind. Nor did she wonder the reason why Ani Arma tormented her in her mind. What she marveled at was a curious thing. A scarecrow that wished to sing.

    Sitting down and resting her hand on her hand, Krimm thought all that had happened to be a little funny. And a little sad. And perhaps, a little inspiring.

    Despite all that had been inflicted onto her, Vega wished to sing, to smile, and to save. Yes, Vega had not suffered the loss of a lover or the loss of a people that Krimm had been subjected to. However, it would be remiss to say that Vega had some type of immunity to emotional agony.

    ¡°Ya alright Krimm?¡± The scarecrow sat down beside the fairy, gently resting her head on her shoulder. She wasn¡¯t pushy or annoying or didn¡¯t want Krimm to shut her up. She wanted to make sure Krimm was alright. ¡°Take ya time. We both kinda went through a lot-lot.¡±

    ¡°If you call an entire emotional journey through some unpleasent memories, then yeah. We went through a lot.¡± Krimm rested on Vega¡¯s head, not noticing that she was appreciating it. She just didn¡¯t want to feel cold again.

    ¡°Sorry if I made it hard.¡±

    ¡°Nah it¡¯s alright. It¡¯s actually the opposite. It¡¯s just¡­ I haven¡¯t met someone like you in a while. And¡­ I think if I had met you a heck of a lot early, I might be happier with the person I am today. Right now¡­ I don¡¯t fucking know what to do.¡± Leaning her head on Vega''s Krimm closed her eyes, trying to calm her heart, frustrated at herself.

    ¡°Yeah ya do! Ya are gonna kidnap me, take me to Ani Arma, and then do some random experiments and stuff. Hopefully non creepy ones, cause I don¡¯t have any-anything down there, and I¡¯m underage.¡±

    ¡°No. I have no clue what Ani is planning but no...that¡¯s not what I¡¯m talking about.¡± Opening her eyes and brushing Vega aside, Krimm took a look up at where they had came from. Wind blew through the holes of the tower, making the many papers and books rain down like paper snow. ¡°I don¡¯t think I¡¯ll kidnap you. I¡­ don¡¯t know.¡±

    ¡°What are ya talking about?¡±

    ¡°...after I lost Kalio¡­ I lost. I lost it. I lost everything. I lost¡­ myself. And I don¡¯t know what I¡¯m going to do with myself because everything I do ends up like some fucked up joke.¡± Krimm shot up and paced around, raging at how her life had gone, before lowering her head down. ¡°Hah, kinda like me¡­ I just wished I met you earlier so I could have lived a life worth living.¡±

    ¡°Krimm¡­ ya are a huge idiot.¡±

    ¡°The hell you say?¡±

    ¡°Girl, ya are acting like ya weren¡¯t going through a whole bunch of stuff, to put it in the most mild-mild of terms.¡±

    ¡°The word mild does not do it justice, but go off I guess.¡±

    ¡°Krimm, don¡¯t act like ya were in con-control. Your people faced the Iozians, one of the greatest conquering people in the continents, there¡¯s nothing ya could have done or foreseen.¡± Waving her hands down at Uvi Jantok, Krimm could see how large and powerful Iozia was. This gigantic city, full of people living their lives, that helped to put into perspective what Krimm faced all those years ago.

    ¡°Yeah¡­ I guess I couldn¡¯t really fight back.¡±

    ¡°Fight back?! Krimm, there was barely a fight. Plus, don¡¯t act like ya weren¡¯t manipulated.¡±

    ¡°What are yo-¡±

    ¡°Ani Arma is playing you. And he¡¯s trying to play me.¡± Throwing her hands up and balling them into fists, Vega unleashed a torrent of her anger at Ani, wanting to illustrate how despicable he is to Krimm. ¡°He saw a young girl in distress and hurting and thought ¡®I¡¯m gonna make her a killer¡¯! Doesn¡¯t that seem odd? Especially since ya are a fairy and have powers most people can only dream of?¡±

    ¡°...right¡­¡± Putting two and two together, Krimm was getting at what Vega was saying. She couldn¡¯t be fully responsible and blame herself for all that had happened. ¡°...right¡­he¡¯s-¡±

    ¡°A CLOD! A cruel prick that deserves none of our sympathy or loyalty? Sounds about right.¡± Flipping off the sky in a vain attempt to flip off Ani Arma, Vega could not give a rat¡¯s ass about him. If anything, she wanted Krimm to be mad, to be upset with him.

    But instead, Krimm was mad at herself.

    ¡°...still¡­ I can¡¯t help but to think it¡¯s all over. My life¡­ over. I needed someone like you. I¡¯m¡­ nothing without anyone else.¡± Krimm didn¡¯t feel strong enough, hugging herself once more to feel any type of warmth. Only the cold grip Ani Arma had on her was all that she could feel. But nearby, she felt the faint waves of a fire, a fire of friendship that Vega was kindling.

    ¡°Krimm¡­ I don¡¯t know a lot-lot.¡± Tugging on her forearm, Vega smiled at Krimm while pulling forward, continuing down the steps. Vega didn¡¯t know how to communicate what she wanted to say to Vega, not having a way to put Krimm back together so easily.

    ¡°That¡¯s also putting it mildly.¡± Krimm snickered slightly before she pulled away from Vega, only looking down at the steps. The wind lessened a bit, and the falling papers ceased, leaving them both alone in the tower¡¯s dark.

    ¡°Yeah, yeah, I know. What I¡¯m saying is that ya were betrayed. Someone who claimed to be your friend-friend was really your enslaver. In a literal sense, sure, but also in-in that nasty mental sense.¡±

    As they descended down, a great chasm in the tower revealed the stars of the night sky, which only Vega stopped to look at. Right then and there, green streaks fell across the night sky, distant meteors burning up in the atmosphere. A destructive power blowing up into magnificent brilliance.

    ¡°Krimm, look. The stars¡­¡± The scarecrow pointed. The fairy didn¡¯t want to look.

    ¡°...Vega¡­ things can¡¯t change now. No matter how it happened, what¡­ Ani¡­¡± Barely able to continue, Krimm was on the brink. On the brink of knowing how attainable it really was, a life unchained. A belief unbound, that she could exist without someone else¡¯s orders. That she could be herself instead of someone else¡¯s.

    Far below, as they disputed what their futures could be, Vega could see fires. Fires ignited not to warm or to comfort, but to burn. Faint, sure, but ones that if left alone, would consume all of Uvi Jantok.

    Not only this, but the ships docked all around, and exiting them like a terrible plague, were the Tripolians. Clashing in battlelines, the sounds of death and war were fast approaching.

    Her friends were there. The people she wished to protect were there. Her destination, Kaliber¡¯s secrets, and her future was there. All of them were in threat.

    Now or never. Vega understood that scarecrows don¡¯t tend to have much effect on the world, or simply aren¡¯t strong enough to defend an entire city.

    But she wasn¡¯t some scarecrow. She was the scarecrow. And scarecrows that needed help. And needed to help.

    ¡°Krimm¡­ the time is now. I am Vega. Who are you going to be?¡±

 Chapter 72: We are One!

    Chapter 72: We are One!

    Ultimatums, second to questions, are my most favorite things to move people. Be it emotional, logical, or comically! Forcing someone to pick between two difficult options is, or rather was, a pleasant hobby of mine.

    But here, at the cliff of war, Vega proposed a rather easy one. Give up your life of misery and slavery or continue down it till its unhappy end. Kind of like asking whether you want ice cream or both of your legs broken.

    Well, it would be easy unless if you thought the ice cream would never arrive and instead your chains would be replaced by a new set.

    ¡°...what the fuck are you saying Vega?¡± Krimm didn¡¯t quite get what she was trying to tell her, since she did not know there was already an entire army in Uvi Jantok as they were speaking.

    ¡°Wha-look down! Look down and tell me-me what ya see!¡± Tugging Krimm, nearly lifting her off her feet, Vega showed Krimm all that was happening below. The cries of battle, fires burning hotter and hotter, the soldiers marching in the streets.

    ¡°...no¡­no! Runtaii invaded early!? What the hell is he-¡±

    ¡°See Krimm! Is that who ya want to be?!¡± Vega shouted at her, grabbing Krimm by the face. ¡°Do ya know who¡¯s down there?!¡± Her voice went fiery, and her eyes flowed with a violent power. Vega wasn¡¯t willing to wait any longer. The scarecrow¡¯s patience existed no longer, for everyone and everything was at stake.

    Her ears rang, for Krimm had only seen this side of her once, when imbued with the magical force back in Obstacle one, the ability to create vines and thorns from nothing, and not it was used in this emotional outburst.

    ¡°Krimm! Stop denying yourself!¡± Vega gripped hard onto her head, trying to make Krimm see the sky. Not wanting to feel the pain of what she had done, Krimm kept her eyes closed, which made Vega infuriated at how much Krimm was squandering. ¡°Krimm, there is a world out-out there! There is life out there. One you can have! A life of laughter, of friends, and of family. And it¡¯s going to get destroyed.¡±

    ¡°And what makes you think that I deserve it?¡± Krimm snapped at her, pushing her away towards the chasm¡¯s light. While Vega was illuminated by the stars and the moon, Krimm stayed in the dark of the tower, in the dark of awful memories.

    ¡°Deserve!?¡±

    ¡°Yes! I have lost it all before! My Kalio, my friends, my people! All of it is gone because of Iozia!¡± Firing right back, Krimm wasn¡¯t going to let Vega think of her like a mindless drone. ¡°I have killed Iozians, and I damn liked it! What makes you think I deserve this life you speak of!? This family you speak of?!¡±

    Shocked at how much Krimm believed the lies Ani told her, Vega took a step back, before looking down at the destruction in the city.

    Did she think that¡¯s all that could be? Or maybe was she scared that when she looked at the sky it would end up dark like her life had been up to that point? All of that, Vega thought. And all of that Vega wanted to ask that of Krimm, but she thought of something else.

    ¡°...Ya gave me a hug.¡± Her voice, all pent up and angry, sounded off when speaking about such a pleasant thing like a hug. ¡°Ya didn¡¯t have to give me a hug. Ya didn¡¯t have to listen to me. Ya don¡¯t have-have to listen to me. And yet ya do. Ya choose to. Want to tell me why?¡±

    ¡°...¡±

    ¡°...Ya had a choice! Ya could have left me, rip-ripped me apart again, or simply ignored me! Yet-yet ya cared enough to comfort me when I was in pain.¡± Pressing her hand against her chest, Vega squeezed her fabric skin, and then pointed out towards Krimm. ¡°And now¡­ ya have a choice. Not for me, but for your own life.¡±

    ¡°...Yeah. A single hug totally forgives all the shit I¡¯ve done. What¡¯s next, I''ll give you a kiss and then I get to go to heaven?¡± Krimm spoke through gritted teeth, crossing her arms. Even though most of her face was in shadow, Vega could see the venom in her eyes, so that someone could suggest that she had potential.

    ¡°...I actually would like a kiss.¡± Vega let out a nervous laugh, and she saw Krimm¡¯s demeanor weakened. Like she couldn¡¯t fight against her kind heart. ¡°But¡­ what I''m trying to say Krimm¡­ I¡¯m not saying ya are a good person¡­ I¡¯m saying ya can be a great one.¡±

    As they stood there, more and more papers fell from the ceiling, slow enough for both of them to get a look. Instead of writings and theories, they were pictures and drawings.

    ¡°Gods¡­ why did it have to end up like this¡­¡± Lifting her head up, seeing the images drift by her, Krimm couldn¡¯t help but to cry a few tears. Vega¡¯s anger calmed, allowing her to absorb the falling drawings.

    Pictures of places Kaliber had been, different continents and people, most of them smiling. Soul gems and from who they came from, ones tha Kaliber took plenty of care of. And the most plentiful, drawings of Ena and Kaliber together, from all sorts of artists, the two playing instruments of hugging one another.

    One fell in front of Vega¡¯s face, of which she let drift into her hands. The sketchy style showed a Kaliber with eye bags, tired by work and the background corresponded to the academy in the first obstacle. She was holding Ena¡¯s much smaller hand, and despite all that they had both faced, they both smiled, true and genuine.

    ¡°I think I figured it all out. This place holds memories of Kaliber. Of important parts of her life. A conversation she had with Ena. A cave where she sang and played songs with her. ¡­The battlefield where she first used the Gem Harvest to produce Soul Gems.¡± Letting go of the paper, she let go of the memory she never belonged to. Her smile was sad, yes, but she was content, for it wasn¡¯t her life. ¡°This-this tells who she is, and how she came to be. Kaliber¡¯s story of what she did in order to save us in the future. To defeat Ani Arma.¡±

    ¡°This isn¡¯t meant for me. I don¡¯t belong¡­ I¡¯m not even supposed to be here.¡±

    ¡°Krimm, you know it¡¯s not like that! Ya see-see what Kaliber has written down. We pushed through, as ourselves and with each other. She didn¡¯t build the towers for me alone.¡± Turning her back to her, Vega gazed at the horizon, where everyone was trying to fight for their lives.

    ¡°What?¡±

    ¡°She built it for everyone. Kaliber built-built it in the district of the Ghosts, and here we are, standing high above where everyone can see! I was meant to open them and share them, the secrets. The Soul Gems! All of it, to save everyone from this war! From Ani Arma!¡±

    ¡°...Vega¡­ no one can stop this. Runtaii is already here¡­ His army is here. And now¡­ it''s over.¡± Krimm brushed past Vega, dejected and sapped of hope. Sitting down at the edge of the chasm, Krimm watched as the soldiers battled one another. The Iozians were holding their ground, however the Tripolian archers and their Snake Skins were wearing them down.

    ¡°...Krimm¡­ if ya don¡¯t help me¡­ my friends are going to die.¡± Vega stood above her, speaking firmly and with an authority that was unlike her.

    ¡°...I can¡¯t save them. I¡¯m¡­ too weak¡­ I¡¯m not strong. Not like you¡­¡± Tilting her head away, Krimm could not stand how powerless she felt. Just like the Galtian elves, just like Kalio. Happening all over again.

    ¡°Krimm, that isn¡¯t what the person who hugged me, who wanted to have friends, who wanted to love, would do. Look at me.¡± Vega grabbed Krimm once more, shaking her as she spoke. ¡°Look at me!¡±

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    ¡°...yes?¡± Her eyes once full of venom were now soft, and weak. And yet Krimm kept her eyes open.

    ¡°What do ya see?¡± Placing a hand on her own face, Vega traced all that she was composed of, all of it weak and easy to rip and cut. But Krimm didn¡¯t see weakness, but a powerful soul. ¡°A girl made of hay. That¡¯s what I am! A girl that wants to sing, that is friends with a bird, and wants to protect all that I love. And I have been cut apart, stabbed, burned, and faced opponents I had no right to fight and yet I did.¡±

    As they spoke, a faint rumbling hit the ground, making them both jitter and shake. More of the papers fell down, blotting out the tower¡¯s darkness. Krimm could not conceal in the dark, she had to face the sky.

    ¡°...yeah?¡± Krimm responded, knowing how powerful Vega could be. And in turn, herself.

    ¡°And I deserve more. You deserve more! Ani Arma has lie-lied to ya, that you¡¯re some help-helpless victim, but you¡¯re not! Ya aren¡¯t Krimm the Assassin, ya are Krimm the Fairy!¡± Vega pulled Krimm up from the edge and made her stand. Not just stand but stand proud.

    Krimm could feel it, coursing through her veins and fibers, just as Vega had. Though she was born in a body unfavorable, in her veins was the might of all elves, of the spirits. Crushing both her hands into fists, Krimm could sense how much life she had in herself. How much more strength she really had. It was almost unbelievable.

    ¡°...do you really think that?¡± She asked quietly, half to Vega and half to herself. Was she really capable of changing the fate of this city? Was she strong enough to change her own?

    ¡°I don¡¯t think that. I know that! Ya could have killed my friends, ya could have stopped me. But ya made a choice to do good. And ya are so much stronger than ya think!¡± Vega¡¯s voice switched anger to emotional inspiration. In her eyes, glowing more with magical power, dripped tears that floated into the air.

    Vega wasn¡¯t saying this for only Krimm¡¯s sake, but also for her own. For so long, Vega believed she was nothing, believed that her input didn¡¯t matter, believed that she was weak. Believed that she needed someone to fix her, to explain herself.

    That was a lie. But now she knows the truth, and it has set her free.

    ¡°Ya had every opportunity to stop me. Yet-yet ya opened your hands to me. Now¡­ I open my hands to ya.¡± Holding out her gloved hand, Vega stretched out to Krimm¡¯s face, who stared at in hesitation.

    Right here, she could start this journey, right here. In front of her stood a person who would help her, not remake or repurpose her, but help her to take the steps.

    More and more rumbling shook the tower, as now some of the brickwork of the tower began to fall. Scaffolding buckled, plenty splitting apart and falling down into the dark abysses of the tower. The papers and books fell passed them like waterfalls, a solid wall of memories and drawings.

    Even in the chance, a chance to change her life, Krimm could not shake the awful memories of the past, that they might haunt if they aren¡¯t finally defeated. If they aren¡¯t finally killed.

    ¡°...maybe¡­ but¡­ I don¡¯t know, What Iozia has done to me. To my face. To my¡­ Kalio. This isn¡¯t fair¡­¡± Leaning on her back foot, Krimm grabbed her scar in shyness.

    How every fiber of her being was screaming out to shake Vega¡¯s hand was overwhelming, and how every fiber screamed in pain at what Iozia had done to the elves.

    Seeing this conflict build up in Krimm¡¯s face, Vega opted for a final gamble. A final effort to get Krimm to join her.

    ¡°...My friends have been hurt by people like Runtaii and Ani. Valiato, a fourteen year old girl got her arm cleaved into by his soldiers.¡± Vega illustrated the brutality of the event with her voice, and how terrifying it was for her friends. Krimm¡¯s eyes widened, in half shock and half regret.

    ¡°...I¡­ I-¡±

    ¡°Is that not enough for ya?! Ari Amir, the one who has defended me and protected my friends, gave his life to Ani Arma in return for nothing but betrayal! Is that what ya want?!¡± Her voice too portrayed the anger and desperation of Amir¡¯s history, how he suffered at Ani Arma¡¯s hands.

    Her yelling paired up with the tower¡¯s now continuous shaking, with the chasm they were near growing bigger, with the bricks and the foundation falling down in the cityscape below. Despite this, Krimm still hesitated, wondering if she would survive either option.

    ¡°...I¡­ I¡¯m-¡±

    ¡°Skaldi! Skaldi¡­¡± Slowing down to take in the thought of the elf, Vega knew that if this last effort failed, he and they all would perish. So she would give it her all in delivering this final message. ¡°Skaldi, he¡¯s an elf too. When I met him, he was sour and a dick-dick. Over the course of traveling with him¡­ he¡¯s really grown. Sure, he¡¯s sometimes insensitive. Sometimes he is too brash. But really¡­ he¡¯s become a good person. One that has fought even though he was weak, even though he originally didn¡¯t believe in himself¡­¡± Vega pulled her hand back and laid it on her neck, tugging on it for she feared that he may lose all of his progress because of this war.

    Feeling that agonizing screaming in her soul fade away, Krimm realized something. Skaldi was the one she had nearly killed.

    She had nearly blown him up in the city. As she was bombing the city to test its defenses, she had noticed him and the girl, which she now knew was Valiato. He had been protecting her as she brought the buildings down.

    Skaldi, a thin and effeminate man, one most would not suspect to even be brave enough to fight a fly, was protecting Valiato with his life. A great sinking in her heart shocked her. She nearly killed an Elf that survived.

    An elf that survived all the torment Iozia had delivered onto them. And still sought to protect it in spite of it. Who still did good in the ways he could. Not because Skaldi had some allegiance to it, but because this was his home. Not only his home, but their home.

    The shaking of the tower calmed for a minute, allowing the two to relieve the tension enough for them to think. It was now or never.

    ¡°...Skaldi¡­he lost his eye to a Snake Skin. He¡¯s one of¡­ if not my best friend in the world. I don¡¯t know what I¡¯d do after that. Do you think that¡¯s fair? To these people that have done nothing wrong? Doing the same thing Iozia has done to the elves?¡± Vega swung her arm back towards Krimm, who now ceased being shy.

    Returning with even more instability, the rumbling shook apart entire sections of the tower. Shelves, furniture, and the very roof fell and flipped over, sprinkling down into the city, erupting in a cloud of library ruins. The two however did not move their position, standing stalwart.

    Krimm gripped her shoulders hard, angered by what she had done. What Ani Arma had commanded her to do. What he was planning to do, to starve and destroy this land full of people, just like her home.

    ¡°...No. No! What¡¯s Runtaii is doing¡­ what Ani has done. It¡¯s wrong. It¡¯s all wrong!¡± Krimm proclaimed, gritting her teeth in righteous anger. Her hair started to flare up, and her eyes ignited too with celestial force.

    She wasn¡¯t going to be a spectator, she was going to fight!

    ¡°That¡¯s right! Ani Arma claims that we are tools, but it is the hands of the wielder that-that makes that so. In his we are tools, weapons of war. But in our own hands¡­ are instruments. We are art.¡± Vega announced, as if the entire world was looking upon them, for she would preach this truth to the earth and sky.

    Collapsing evermore, the tower¡¯s stability weakened as more and more of it crumbled. The floor underneath formed several cracks and gaps, leading down into the depths of the towers, full of mysteries and possible a way to defeat the army.

    Vega lent out her hand, seeing Krimm¡¯s emotions. As she waited, she knew she had less time to find the Soul Gem, the one Kaliber had been speaking of. Holding it out one last time, she held out her hand as the floor they were standing one started to fracture.

    Lifting her arm weakly, Krimm raised at the level to Vega¡¯s. This was it. Either accept it, or back out for the rest of your life, Krimm thought. The pain of her past, the pain of loss, all of it filled her mind. However, the hope of a good future filled her heart, along with Vega¡¯s.

    ¡°¡­I may be a Ghost¡­ but my people aren¡¯t¡­¡± Reaching out, Krimm approached Vega.

    The Fairy held the hand of the Scarecrow.

    ¡°...Krimm. Thank ya. Thank ya. We¡¯re going to save them.¡± Letting out all of her unease, Vega spoke kindly and gratefully. Her eyes looked to Krimm¡¯s hand, who was shaking with a massive amount of tension and anxiety. Krimm wasn''t going to betray her, but there was a single thing that had to be put to rest.

    ¡°Hey¡­I¡¯m scared¡­¡±

    ¡°...that¡¯s okay. Haha, I¡¯m scare-scared too. Remember, this is our choice. This is what ya were made to do. This is what I was made to do.¡± Vega pulled Krimm in, and gave her a much needed hug.

    Even as the floor finally gave way, Krimm held Vega close, feeling safe for the first time in years. As the plummeted down, she saw what could only be described as the moon sparkling over her body. The scarecrow¡¯s body illuminated with a powerful force, one that warmed Krimm¡¯s cold heart.

    ¡°Krimm, right now, you have a choice. I have a choice. Either defend the world or become the fertilizer that feeds it.¡±

    ¡°Vega¡­ I want to defend this world, to make it better even if I die trying¡­ For my atonement¡­¡± The fairy spoke with tears in her eyes and her heart in her throat. ¡°I will stand by you, through fire and storm.¡± Krimm smiled, full of joy and hope. There was much work to be done, but now she didn¡¯t have to do it alone.

    As they fell down, surrounded by the debris of the tower, they both found the situation sort of ironic. Not some half a day ago they were fighting and bickering as they fell through a similar place, yet now they were intertwined.

    Heart with Heart. Soul with Soul. Purpose with Purpose.

    ¡°Thank ya Krimm. We may be different, but tonight, we are one. Tonight, we are sisters. Together, we are what we aren¡¯t alone!¡±

 Chapter 73: Defeat This Demon! (Part 1!)

    Chapter 73: Defeat This Demon! (Part 1!)

    The match of this decade has arrived, and the fate of a city lies in the hands of two individuals of suspect mental function! Dare I say, everyone is fucked.

    In the Iozian corner, weighing in at a heavy twenty whole pounds and standing a sky scraping four feet ten inches, is Vega the Scarecrow! With a heart as big as a whale and with a brain that is¡­ both literally and metaphorically non-existent, Vega isn¡¯t going to let this city fall without a fight!

    Also this hay girl has a kill count of two people. WOOOOOOOOOO!

    Now, in the Tripolian corner, weighing in at a pitiful hundred eighty pounds and five feet and eleven inches, is the warlord Runtaii. Deciding to invade Uvi Jantok with no backup, no game plan, and a remarkable lack of maidens, Runtaii is all or nothing in this battle to raid Uvi Jantok!

    And¡­uhhh¡­ He only has a kill count of forty thousand people. Like a fucking pleb!

    Who will win this battle between the two peoples?

    Will Runtaii scare off this scarecrow into the afterlife? Or will Vega proceed to waste him and leave him to the crows?

    You¡¯re gonna love this, trust me!

    ¡°Holy shit I hate this!¡± Skaldi cried out from under a pillar, trying to find where the rest of the party had gone. He had been fighting the Tripolians for the past four hours, with the endless army never tiring and never stopping. The only breaks he had gotten was when he had passed out, right by the pillar he was now under.

    Flying above the rooftops and just above his head were flaming arrows, a special Tripolian creation. Even when launched fast and high into the air, they never ceased burning, which had torched and were in the process of torching sections of the entire city. The part Skaldi was in by no means excluded.

    Crawling out from the pillar, Skaldi ducked behind whatever cover he could get. As he searched, squads of soldiers randomly raced the alleyways, desperate to get to the battle lines not too far away.

    Every now and again, Skaldi saw a random Snake Skin running around in maniac rage, running to the nearest soldier. Not even the arrows piercing their face could stop them, taking dozens to take down a single one. One such Snake Skin fell right in front of him, collapsed and dead.

    Skaldi hadn¡¯t the luxury of knowing this and proceeded to curbstomp the body like it was a cockroach. Now noticing that it had already passed, he backed up and continued to sneak his way out.

    ¡°Fuckie, fuckie, fuckie. Gods, just let me keep my other eye!¡± Skaldi muttered to himself, hoping that he could at least save what was left.

    Luckily, the only saving grace for the Iozians were the watchmen, their heavy armor and specialized training allowed them to face the Tripolians with better ease, managing their larger numbers well. Skaldi had seen for himself a single watchmen fighting ten Tripolians and the watchmen was winning.

    But without some major backup, be it from Tibato or someone else, the watchmen would tire and be cut down. There had to be support, or there wasn''t going to be a chance to make it.

    Slowly dragging himself away from the battlelines, Skaldi managed to find a hideout in an abandoned restaurant. Hiding behind a counter, the redhead took this as a chance to recover and think.

    ¡°Fuck¡­ we¡¯re not going to last long without something¡­¡± Pulling out his bag of handing, he scrounged around for anything that could help. Finding the smoke bomb, some extra knives, and the Soul Gem Sorbet entrusted him with. She wanted him to have since she wasn¡¯t much of a fighter.

    Plus, if he ever ran into Vega, then perhaps she could use it to her advantage. Maybe it could turn the tide.

    ¡°...damn it¡­ where are you Vega?¡±

    ¡°WOOOOOOOOOOOO! This is awesome!¡± Vega said, while dropping down in the abyss of the tower. Bricks the size of wagons and shattered wood fragments fell alongside her. Along with a familiar face¡­

    ¡°Vega, once¡­ if we get out of here, I think I got an idea of how to beat Runtaii¡­ I think!¡± Krimm held tight onto her new friend, dodging the ruins and the debris with significant ease.

    ¡°I¡¯ll take requests at-at this point! Yippee!¡± Vega bounced off the many stairs, wanting to travel faster down to get to the battle quicker.

    A gigantic boulder was below them, and they were heading straight for it. They were falling too fast to avoid, Krimm braced for impact. Instead of doing the logical thing, Vega pulled out her pickaxe.

    ¡°Fuck ya boulder!¡± She yelled, swinging her pickaxe overhead and into the rock, cracking just enough so that they could fall through the middle.

    ¡°Holy¡­ anyway, this idea involves me and a shit ton of blackpowder!¡± Krimm yelled, the crashing of the debris making it hard to hear.

    ¡°To blow them up?¡±

    ¡°Nope, to blow up their supplies!¡± Krimm used her tactical mind to deduce the best course of action. ¡°The Tripolains are good at raiding and archery, and with those fire arrows they¡¯re using, this place is gonna burn. But if I manage to destroy most of their equipment, that will really screw them over!¡±

    ¡°Sexually?¡±

    ¡°Wha-no! Didn¡¯t you say you¡¯re a minor?¡±

    ¡°I am, I¡¯m just one that has some very vulgar friends.¡± Vega chuckled, with her friend''s safety still on her mind. Krimm¡¯s idea was definitely solid, but there had to be more to put a proper end to this battle. ¡°That¡¯s good, but we¡¯re going to need a lot more to defeat an army with what we have.¡±

    ¡°What¡¯s your idea?¡± Krimm asked, navigating their way down, passing by much of the tower¡¯s destruction.

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    ¡°Something doing with-with a Soul Gem. And, a guitar!¡±

    Screeching through the sky like eagles, the flame arrows flew. The Tripolians were making much of the wooden parts of Uvi Jantok into infernos. While the soldiers denied the Tripolians their advance, the civilians suddenly became firefighters, pulling up water from wells and aqueducts to slow the flames that would burn down their homes and their lives.

    Men and women, adult and child, the accepted and the Ghosts, all of them joined together to defend what they loved.

    Being the only leaders capable of organizing the Iozians, the three Oligarchs commanded and led what little forces they had into battle. Composed of heavily armored fighters and whatever bandits that choose to join them, they amounted to a force of one thousand.

    The Tripolians outnumbered them three to one. And so, the three Oligarchs fought three to one.

    Glatrix, though an absolute prick, was the bravest of the three, riding with calvary and met the enemy head on. Of course it was for the sake of pride and personal glory, but one could not admit he was a coward in that situation.

    Being the clever tactician, it was Oligarch Ruto¡¯s quick thinking and unconventional strategies that had allowed the fight to go on into the night. By deliberately destroying aqueducts and piping, they could flood whole streets, preventing both fires and the Tripolians from moving forward. But even he knew it wouldn¡¯t be enough to defeat them, only merely slowing them down.

    And Roka surprisingly, and daringly, led a team of forty underground and behind enemy lines, flanking them and distracting them. Whenever they were discovered, they would head back were they came and find another place to strike.

    Even with all the bravery, all the cleverness, and all the daring hardly meant anything besides buying time. Buying time for someone to come save them. Who, they did not know.

    Finally far away enough from where the fires had been raging, Skaldi decided to stop crawling and to start running. Racing around the sprawling city, he searched for a recognizable face. Frantic and anxious, Skaldi could not stand being alone. He could not stand the idea that all of them were fighting while he was not there.

    ¡°Skaldi!¡± A voice called out. He swung his head behind him but no one was there. It wasn¡¯t next to him or in front or from above. It sounded familiar¡­ ¡°Skaldi you fuck! Right under you!¡±

    ¡°Who¡¯s there!?¡± Pulling out some throwing daggers, he looked down, seeing a sewer grate and eyes hidden in shadows.

    ¡°It¡¯s me, God. Who the fuck do you think it is, it¡¯s Lai! Get in here!¡± Her hand reached to the grate and pulled to open. Skaldi looked side to side in case there was anyone there. Seeing no one else, he climbed down into the sewer.

    Dank and freezing, Skaldi chartered his teeth and the moment he stepped on solid ground he started shivering. He could sense there were a few people in there, of which he hoped it would be his friends. But holy shit was it fucking cold.

    ¡°This is probably the second worst sewer I¡¯ve been in. And the other one I lost my eye in.¡±

    ¡°Shush for a moment. Chakrit, you got a candle?¡± Lai asked, walking over to the man in shadow.

    ¡°Yeah yeah, I got it.¡± Lighting it, now Skaldi could see everyone that was in there. And it wasn¡¯t his friends. However, he was really happy to see them.

    Clad in both steel plate and iron chainmail, adorned with robes and armed with pole arms, these weren¡¯t ordinary bandits or outlaws. Their very body language was relaxed and calm, even as their lives were at stack. And much to Skaldi¡¯s liking, the smell of vanilla, contrasting the sewer¡¯s stench nicely.

    ¡°Uhhh¡­ who are they?¡± Skaldi pointed to them, now thinking that Lai would suddenly order them to kill him.

    ¡°Oh! Yeah, those guys¡­ Right. Well, they¡¯re ALSO Falconneers.¡± Chakrit rubbed his forehead, acting all nonchalant about it.

    ¡°Wait¡­¡± Skaldi finally had an idea of what reason they were here. ¡°What happened to all your guy¡¯s money?¡±

    Everyone kept silent, as Lady Lai blushed embarrassed. Kicking the side of the sewer wall, she built up the courage to admit what had happened.

    ¡°¡­we-¡±

    ¡°You.¡± Chakrit corrected.

    ¡°I spent it all.¡±

    ¡°On?¡± Skaldi asked.

    ¡°¡­a small army?¡± Lai said all ashamed like, as if this wasn¡¯t the exact thing they needed at this point.

    ¡°What?!¡± Grabbing both of his ears, Skaldi screamed out all excited.

    ¡°Yeah, Amber said it was a bad investment-¡±

    ¡°It IS a bad investment.¡± Chakrit stated like it was a fact.

    ¡°Shut up, this is like, a really fucking good investment! Why did you do it?¡± Skaldi abruptly went up and hugged Lai, making her much shyer. Letting her go, her gestured her to continue. ¡°Is this what happened?

    ¡°Let me explain. He said it wouldn¡¯t lead anywhere, just hiring a bunch of mercenaries to hang out with us. I felt being bandits was a bit too illegitimate, so why not be mercenaries instead?¡±

    ¡°Because that would mean you¡¯d have to go back home and tell your parents you¡¯re doing something with your life?¡±

    ¡°Please shut up dude.¡± Skaldi flipped Chakrit off. ¡°What kind of name is Amber Chakrit anyway?¡±

    ¡°Both of you! Look I wanted to, I don¡¯t know, take a mission from Oligarch Tibato. I thought I could make my parents proud or something¡­¡±

    For a moment, Skaldi felt a relative understanding with Lai. To want to be something that people could be proud of. And to live a live that¡¯s your own.

    ¡°Instead of being some random noble bandit, be an actual hero? Turns out he is a complete dick and doesn¡¯t want to protect Jantok Rock, and we got stuck here and you probably know the rest¡­¡± Lowering her head down, Lai¡¯s self esteem and hope was low. She had no clue what to do now.

    Luckily, Skaldi had the right words to put her in the right mood.

    ¡°Huh. You know, I was expecting you to have gambled, drank, or pissed all of your cash away. But mercenaries is an uncharacteristically smart idea coming from you. Nice job Lai.¡± Skaldi held out his fist, to which Lai smiled and fist bumped him. It was pretty cool.

    ¡°Thanks¡­¡±

    ¡°...alright. I think I got an idea of how to fix this. Also, let¡¯s get out of this sewer. Why were you guys here in the first place?¡±

    ¡°Because we didn¡¯t want to burn to death?¡±

    ¡°Hmm. Makes sense.¡±

    As they all exitted, the troops assembled into columns, awaiting their orders from Lai and Chakrit. The wind blew hard and cold, and the fires¡¯ light were not too far from where they were.

    However, another light was in the sky. Not a star, not a fire. But a strange new building Skaldi noticed. A tower, not too dissimilar to the first one.

    ¡°So redhead. What¡¯s your idea?¡±

    ¡°...uh¡­ shit! Okay! We¡¯re outnumbered, but there should be only one guy leading them. His name is Runtaii, and if you manage to get him, they should have no other leaders.¡±

    ¡°Well, how the fuck are we supposed to get to him? We don¡¯t even know where he could be.¡± Chakrit questioned, not sure of how, if at all, they could pull that off.

    ¡°We could go underground, it will be safe there.¡± Lai proposed.

    ¡°No, we¡¯d have no way of knowing where we¡¯d be going.¡±

    ¡°The rooftops!¡± Skaldi pointed up, showing much of the scaffolding and pipes that connected many of the buildings together. ¡°Go on the roof tops with a small team, the rest can help out the main army. If there¡¯s any fires there, just use the pipes and uh¡­¡±

    Skaldi stopped speaking, still looking out to the tower high in the sky. He saw much of the tower breaking apart and papers falling out from it. And now that he thought about it, the tower was in the direction Vega had headed in.

    ¡°Skaldi? Are you okay?¡± Lai poked his cheek. Which one, I¡¯ll let you decide.

    ¡°Holy shit. That¡¯s where Vega is.¡±

    ¡°What?¡±

    ¡°That¡¯s where Vega is! Sorry, I have to go!¡± Barely able to finish his sentence, Skaldi went into a sprint towards the tower. Rushing with all of his available might, the redhead understood that Vega could be their last hope. If Lai and Chakrit couldn¡¯t finish it, maybe Vega could.

    No. Not just Vega. They ALL could do it. Together.

    As Vega and Skaldi continued to race to their goals, a faint hope blossomed. That their future might be saved. That they could defeat this demon.

 Chapter 73: Defeat This Demon! (Part 2!)

    Chapter 73: Defeat This Demon! (Part 2!)

    While the Elf on the ground was busy running to get to Vega, the Elf in the tower was busy trying to search for Vega.

    ¡°Vega! Now is not the time to be looking for treasure! This place is gonna come down on top of us!¡± Krimm yelled out, as the halls of the floor they were in buckled under the weight of the tower. This hall was lined with sculptures of various styles now laid decrepit, as the shower of brick defaced much of the beauty of it.

    ¡°Hold on, give me-me a sec!¡± Vega shouted back, her voice muffled underneath the rumbling and crashing.

    The scarecrow had made the executive decision to risk her life to search for the Soul Gem. More specifically, a map for where she could look for it. Running around various rooms full of papers and crates, even her speed and frantic pace could not find anything that listed the contents of the tower, much less where.

    ¡°God, why couldn¡¯t Kaliber label this shit-shit down?¡± Standing knee deep in paper and books, Vega threw aside them in an effort to catch a glance at any close to important looking.

    ¡°Vega!¡± Hearing the fairy¡¯s worried filled shouts did not give Vega much hope of finding it. Like an auditory clock, telling how much time she has to find the solution to this battle. And it was getting close to midnight.

    ¡°Give a minute! Damn, I-I really need a map right now! Like, how-how am I supposed to find¡­¡± Vega stopped as a rock struck the top of her head, as an idea came to mind.

    Looking back on the paper where she had written down her purpose, she believed she didn¡¯t need any map. After all, this is a Soul Gem! She should just be able to feel it out, Vega thought

    ¡°OH! I get it. Find your way, realize- yep! Fuck maps, I¡¯m the girl that gonna write the path down!¡±

    ¡°Get down!¡± Tackling Vega to the floor, Krimm got on top of her as part of the ceiling collapsed just a few feet next to them. Not soon after, the floor cracked open and by Krimm¡¯s foot was a huge opening where more and more papers fell down.

    ¡°Hey-hey Krimm. I know where the Soul Gem is!¡±

    ¡°That¡¯s good, now please tell me it¡¯s somewhere close.¡±

    ¡°That¡¯s something ya won¡¯t need to find out. I¡¯ll take care of it myself-self, don¡¯t ya worry!¡± Getting up and holding Krimm close, Vega ran out of the room and brought Krimm to the stairs.

    Being the only part of the hall that remained unharmed, there was no doubt that this was safe. But with the growing shaking, how long it would be safe to go down, they did not know.

    ¡°Is it here?¡± The fairy questioned, trying to make sure Vega hadn¡¯t gotten any details wrong. Taking two steps down, Krimm turned back and forth to Vega and where the stairs were heading down.

    ¡°Nah, this is just the stairs dude-dudette.¡± Vega chuckled, like nothing was the matter. Thrusting her arm downward, Vega prepared to order Krimm. ¡°Get out-out of here and defend the city. I''ve got to find this Soul Gem by myself. No one else can-can!¡±

    ¡°Wait! You can¡¯t be serious.¡±

    ¡°Lady, this is not the only life threatening situation I¡¯ve been in-¡±

    ¡°You¡¯re going to die, this place can¡¯t hold itself together long!¡± Krimm grabbed Vega¡¯s wrist, urging her to continue. She turned away from the stairs, pleading with her new friend not to risk it. ¡°I¡¯m gonna stay!¡±

    ¡°No-no, ya can already help them now. Plus, ya can¡¯t sense where Soul Gem is. Only I can.¡± Vega ignored the debris that was falling around her, not scared of what will happen to her. Only scared of what will happen if she doesn¡¯t do this.

    ¡°Screw the Soul Gem, come on! I¡­ I can¡¯t lose you.¡± Krimm whimpered out, not ready to be alone so soon.

    Vega couldn¡¯t hide it, not even on her face that she wouldn¡¯t if she could even find it, this mystery Soul Gem that Kaliber had promised, much less get out in time to save the city.

    Her eyes carried a great worry for herself, but her heart carried a greater worry for those she must save, including Krimm.

    ¡°Sister, there¡¯s nothing in this world that can crush little ole me. And there¡¯s nothing out there that can crush ya.¡± Putting on her bravest smile, the scarecrow gave Krimm the boost of confidence to go on by herself. Seeing the hope rise in her scarred face, her uneven eyelashes, and her eyes made her feel happy. She helped someone. ¡°Now go get them!¡±

    Unauthorized usage: this narrative is on Amazon without the author''s consent. Report any sightings.

    ¡°...Vega. You got it!¡± Giving a quick salute, Krimm headed to the stairs and gave one last look to her. Vega waved and proceeded to search for the Soul Gem. The columns that held up the halls shattered and covered the entrance to the stairs, creating a cloud of moon colored dust.

    ¡°...Ah¡­ I see Runtaii has made his last mistake¡­¡± Speaking alone on the lonely waters a mile outside of Uvi Jantok, an armored menace stood on the lake itself. His fiery chainmail hair glowed violently and his steel suit that supported him gleamed white, like a blade.

    Ani Arma had made a special occasion to go visit Runtaii after the report he had given him. Several Blight Elves had reduced much of the base camp on the Isle in a squashed mess. One that Ani had yet to clean up.

    Now, Ani was going to enjoy this firework show Runtaii was making out of the city. Even a mile away, the flames grew high in the sky, and if he listened close, he could hear the death screams of the ones fighting.

    In an act of pure ego, he had decided to use a Soul Gem to walk on the very water, as if to spite any spirits or Gods watching him. Laying a steel finger to his lips, Ani thought of what had caused Runtaii¡¯s rash actions.

    ¡°Was he dropped when he was a boy? No. He¡¯s still a boy.¡± His weak voice raged as best as it could. Even if his mask portrayed an exaggerated smile, his inner soul was frowning bitterly.

    Then he arrived at an idea. Perhaps it wasn¡¯t Runtaii¡¯s fault. Perhaps it was his own. Ani clenched his gauntlet fist hard enough that sparks ignited from the rubbing metal.

    ¡°...what was it that I had said to him? That he was a tool, my tool? Is that what caused him to tantrum like a pathetic whimpering child? Ah, reminds me of something¡­ rather¡­ someone¡­¡±

    ¡°Go! Go! Go-go go!¡± Cheering herself on, Vega went on a rampage through two floors of the tower. Whenever she encountered a boulder blocking her way, she climbed over it. Wherever she found a hole, she slid through it. And wherever she faced a wall, she slammed her pickaxe with all her might, making her pathway through.

    While the average mind might be thinking Vega was using pure brute force, Vega was actually being very intellectual.

    As the Tripolian philosopher Azu Tmir once said, ¡®when God closes a door, blow it the fuck up¡¯.

    Wise words.

    But in all seriousness, there was a legitimate strategy Vega employed in the tower, specifically about momentum. If she could properly carry enough speed without slowing down, she could then avoid the hazards that were appearing below or above her. Plus, she could then search the rooms before they collapsed, so that was nice.

    Throughout the floors she explored, most of them were the same libraries she had seen at the top, nothing beyond papers she didn¡¯t have time to examine.

    However, the floor she was now on contained a greater variety of rooms, serving less niche purposes. Packed full of kitchens, lounge areas that seemed untouched, and a series of fountains that flowed uninterruptedly, this floor was less for recording and more for living.

    Asides a few bits of ceiling fragments and the ever constant shaking, this floor could be mistaken as not being connected to the main tower itself.

    What was happening here, Vega did not yet understand, but she wished to. Turning on her heels and navigating the furniture with impressive acrobatics, Vega searched for any sign of magic, especially Soul Gems.

    ¡°Hmm. How-how can I sense it? How can I find it, and soon?¡± Digging her feet into the floor to slow down, Vega knew that this was the closest she had gotten to properly finding it. Checking around the adjacent rooms, Vega chose to stay by the fountain area, as there were no pipes or aqueducts to explain the presence of flowing water, especially so high up.

    This wasn¡¯t a floor she could just blast past, there was something more than what met her sight.

    ¡°Now that I think-think about¡­ instead of sight¡­ how about rhythm?¡± She spoke calmly, taking the guitar from her back and putting it in her hands. Another shaking hit the floor, but the scarecrow didn¡¯t lose balance. In fact, she had gotten her center.

    Strumming two strings and closing her eyes, Vega tested the rhythm of this place. The flowing of the water was constant yet soft, and the abrasive shaking cut in like an annoying and booming set of drums.

    She could sense the peril she was in by the very abrupt and sharp rumbles, knowing how close each part of her surroundings was going to break. Steeling herself, Vega needed as much time as she could have to listen.

    As the ground beneath started to loosen, Vega did not open her eyes, only darting a few feet to the left. When she did she played her guitar, trying to gauge any magic rhythm. And then, it happened, the strings began to sound off as she came closer to the water fountain. The constant softness responded with a high pitch ringing, and with that Vega looked to see what had caused it.

    Reaching deep into one of the fountain¡¯s holes (god that just sounds wrong), Vega felt a smooth and geometric edge at the end. Multiple edges, as if pre cut into the shape. With the water flowing all over her, she felt the promise of a Soul Gem. Not the promise, but rather the rhythm from it. Like the melody of a harp.

    ¡°Come on. Come to Vega!¡± Placing both of her feet on the side of the fountain, she pulled with all of her might. Feeling the shape loosen, this melody grew clearer in her mind, like she could hear it not with her non-existent ears, but with her very soul.

    ¡°Gimme-gimmie!¡± With one last pull and forceful grip, what she was grabbing onto made a popping sound and she flew back on the ground.

    Lapis colors shimmered in her lap, along with the continual flowing water. An octagonal shape of blue grey stone, this Soul Gem was a flask. A flask of near infinite water.

    ¡°Huh. Doesn¡¯t seem-seem like it will be useful.¡± She stared at the Soul Gem. Admittedly, it wasn¡¯t what she was looking for. She was looking for something to pair with her guitar, to do the same magics she had done back in Obstacle One.

    Strangely, Vega thought the flask looked cute, sort of how she thought of herself when staring into her reflection in the water.

    ¡°Ya know¡­ even if ya aren¡¯t what I need, I think I can still use ya help.¡± As she finished her sentence, the floor shook once more with additional power. This whole floor was losing stability, and losing it fast.

    The windows at the end of the lounge cracked open, becoming large openings. And through those openings, Vega could see the battle raging on. Great fires were eating the wooden city like a horde of locusts, buzzing and cracking horribly.

    ¡°Let¡¯s not waste anymore time-time! I need to find the other Soul Gem. The one for me!¡± Getting back up, Vega continued on her search, heading up and hoping to find any more signs of Soul Gems.

    Vega wouldn¡¯t turn these magic artifacts into tools, as Ani Arma had done with so many, like Krimm. No, she would let them be art.

 Chapter 74: I Will Destroy Ya!

    Chapter 74: I Will Destroy Ya!

    If you can¡¯t talk down the monster, there are two other options.

    Running away, which in the situation everyone is in right now isn¡¯t exactly affordable, surviable, comfortable, or even fucking possible.

    The other option, which I suspect is far more entertaining and cathartic, is killing whatever is threatening to eradicate you. Afterall, one death is a tragedy. The death of a million is a good start.

    But the death of Ani Arma, well, that¡¯s just plain good.

    What wasn¡¯t good was that Vega knew that in probably the next couple minutes, the time she had left to search would suddenly come to a close, as a strange occurrence had changed the tower.

    No more shaking, no more quakes, not even debris was falling down.

    Rather, a mundane change had occurred. The very floor she was standing on was lopsided, angling down to the left.

    In fact, as Skaldi was running towards the tower, he noticed that the tower had ceased standing and had now begun to lean. Lean on the Black Wall, like it was in a drunken stupor. Luckily the leaning had prevented the tower from collapsing, however that luck was running out.

    Runtaii, after the harsh treatment given by Ani Arma, decided that he wouldn¡¯t listen to his orders any longer. To wait for resupplies, to wait for reinforcements. He had Uvi Jantok cornered through his and his men¡¯s hardwork for months.

    Tired from the freezing cold, tired of marching. Here and now was his victory, here and now were the jewels of Iozia. And here and now he was going to rob it.

    Atop his horse and surrounded by his angered warriors, he ordered them to deal as much damage to the city as possible. Not simply by burning, but stealing. Using picks and axes, they stole entire statues, cut off fingers to get whatever rings they could, and then burn all the rest.

    And Runtaii, he was smiling. For he was on the path towards the Black gate, towards Jantok Sky. Towards the Lai Bank and towards achieving his magics.

    His soldiers had not yet recovered after the battle with the Blight Elves, many of them still in bandages and with wounds not yet healed. Even their ships carried scars that had yet to fade.

    Fueled on hatred and sorrow, the Tripolians intended to deal an exact amount of their burning pain onto the Iozians. And no, it would not be equal.

    Now you might expect Ani Arma to be dicking around, jerking himself off to a nation being pillaged. And this time, you¡¯d be sort of right.

    However, Ani Arma wasn¡¯t coming to Uvi Jantok. Pun very much intended. Sorry, I got to relax somehow.

    He wasn¡¯t planning on invading with Runtaii, but to simply see how it went with his own eyes. Like smacking two hammers together to see which one breaks first. Less like a child, and more of an vaguely interested scientist.

    Drawing a chalk circle into the lake bed, Ani considered who will come out on top as he prepared.

    ¡°Ah, will it be the dumb scarecrow, or the brat with too much pride? I can¡¯t wait to see. If it¡¯s the brat that wins, I¡¯ll kill him and finish off the city. If it¡¯s the scarecrow, then nothing is the matter. Either way, I need to collect that box from the Oligarch.¡±

    Having sunk to the bottom, Ani admired the beauty vistas of Uvi Jantok through the water, the way it gleamed in the night. The way the moon shined down on it. On his hip, a Soul Gem of a fisherman¡¯s net glowed. He laid down on his stomach and kicked his feet, like a kid.

    ¡°Almost a shame that it would need to be burned. Oh well, it is the emperor¡¯s will.¡±

    Shortly after he finished his circle, he thought of what would happen if Vega were to die in this battle. After all, fire was a weakness of hers. All of his hard work with talking to her, influencing her to join him.

    What he could learn about magic from her, all of it would be lost.

    ¡°No¡­ he wouldn¡¯t do that.¡±

    Inside the tower, Vega found the change to be remarkably welcome, as the many holes in the floors and ceilings allowed her to simply jump through floors instead of climbing stairs and dodging rubble. Like an acrobat, Vega flipped and soared across the walls, flinging herself through the holes with the aid of her pickaxe.

    However, the Soul Gem she had discovered seemed to have ceased working, as the previous unending water produced now only gave out small droplets, weakening evermore.

    In one half of her mind, she was screaming out to give it up, that this effort will be fruitless. This promise Soul Gem would fail to show up as Vega had hoped Kaliber would show up, only receiving a loneliness

    In the other, there was no other option. She had found a Soul Gem, so there had to be more. Whatever promise Kaliber had made to Vega, she wouldn¡¯t lie. She wouldn¡¯t lie on this tower, she wouldn¡¯t lie on the obstacles, and she wouldn¡¯t lie on Vega¡¯s future.

    Kaliber wasn¡¯t lying, and so Vega wasn¡¯t going to give it up.

    ¡°I¡¯m not stopping. I won¡¯t give up on ya Kaliber. And I won¡¯t give up on myself.¡±

    Ah, but you should.

    This story has been stolen from Royal Road. If you read it on Amazon, please report it

    For a moment, Vega¡¯s heart and hopes stopped. Stunned, as if put into a psychic daze, Vega couldn¡¯t believe what had just happened. The Voice, Ani Arma, had returned after so long of being silent.

    So much progress, so much learning about herself and her future, Vega had made. And she had made it without that awful voice in her head.

    ¡°No¡­ it¡¯s not true!¡±

    What, didn¡¯t you miss me?

    ¡°I thought ya were gone! What do ya want now?!¡± Vega cared not for the floor she was standing on, as small cracks formed. Faintly, the Soul Gem on her hip glowed for a moment, but returned to being powerless.

    I just wanted to see how my dear friend and future tool was doing. I see you are in a terrible sort of situation.

    ¡°I don¡¯t need your commentary on things. I don¡¯t need ya.¡± Getting back in the pace of a walk, Vega understood she couldn¡¯t lose focus now. If she did, all of her hard work that she and her friends had put in would be wasted.

    Worse, she¡¯d be wasted.

    ¡°...god! I fucking hate running¡­ shit¡­¡± Having collapsed at the foot of a temple, Skaldi had finally reached where the tower began.

    Sprouting out the temple like an invasive plant, the tower was full to bursting. All around him, papers laid and tossed in the wind. She was here, and now he had to go searching for her.

    ¡°Hello? Who¡¯s there?¡± A voice called out, from the door. Still slumped over and breathing fast and deep, Skaldi pushed himself up to get closer to it. He wasn¡¯t quite sure if it was a hallucination or someone trying to mess with him. Backing away and slowing his breathing, the redhead waited for the voice to approach him.

    Hearing the echoing and ever closer steps, Skaldi hid behind a wall near the door, and what he saw made his skin freeze.

    The Assassin, he believed, exited out of the temple door. He saw her sawing out to the city, in the midst of its great destruction. Her mouth was agape and her eyes were wide, for some reason she looked like she had some regret, Skaldi thought.

    ¡°...did she follow Vega?¡± Skaldi whispered to himself. He didn¡¯t see any blood on her, but did she have a weary and tired look in her eyes. Like she had gone through a journey of foreign worlds and places.

    ¡°...gods¡­ I have a lot to do.¡± Clenching her fist, Krimm bowed her head and then looked up to the tower, seeing it leaning on the Black Wall. Vega was giving it her all, and so she must give it all she had left.

    ¡°What is-¡±

    ¡°You know I can sense you.¡± Suddenly turning her head like and owl, Krimm looked to where Skaldi was hiding. A gust of wind blew past and a circle of papers flew around her.

    He kept quiet, pulling out his daggers in preparation.

    ¡°I¡¯m not going to fight you. I¡­ I just want¡­ I¡¯m¡­ sorry.¡± Walking towards the wall Skaldi was hiding, she held her hands to her chest. Skaldi¡¯s eye rose in shock, hearing her voice genuine, like she really felt regret.

    This Assassin didn''t seem to be playing a trick. And, if faintly, there was a motivation in her.

    ¡°...I¡¯m not a good person. But I want to be a better one. Vega is alive. She¡¯s¡­ just taking care of some things. On her own.¡±

    Skaldi felt a great temptation, one that he felt might risk his life. He wanted to know what Vega was doing, in the tower that was about to crumble. He wanted to know she was safe. He wanted to know that she wasn¡¯t going to be played, or used like some tool.

    He gave in.

    ¡°...what is she doing?¡± Skaldi asked, getting out from the wall and confronting Krimm.

    The ground beneath them shuffled, and Skaldi looked up towards the tower, seeing evermore debris falling. He could see that the tower was no longer leaning, but slowing letting go of the Black wall.

    ¡°What is she doing?¡± Skaldi grabbed Krimm by the shoulders, shaking her to answer. His heart was full of worry, but what Krimm said made it all evaporate.

    The Assassin didn¡¯t raise her head. The Fairy did.

    ¡°...she¡¯s fulfilling her purpose. She¡¯s getting ready to destroy.¡±

    ¡°I can feel it! It¡¯s here! It¡¯s right here, I know. I feel-feel it in my wires! In my fibers!¡± With determined energy, Vega had found the source, the very Soul Gem Kaliber promised, and its rhythm was immense.

    Digging with her pickaxe, she hammered into a rock pile, seeing a doorway beneath it. The tower felt like it was slipping, ready to fall down at any moment.

    Wait¡­ what are you doing here?

    ¡°It¡¯s none of your-your business!¡±

    No¡­ this isn¡¯t¡­ this isn¡¯t what Kaliber worked on. It can¡¯t!

    ¡°Come on! Just a little more!¡± Vega screamed out, now wildly.

    Unlike anything she had heard or felt before. Like¡­ a voice.

    Not a voice. The voice.

    Not the voice that had deceived her, not the one who talked down to or betrayed her. Not the one who had decided she was weak, pathetic, and destined to fail.

    Get out of there! You¡¯re going to die!

    ¡°Are ya scared now!? Well I¡¯m not! Not anymore. I¡¯m not going to let war, hatred, the world, or you deny myself any longer!¡± Vega swung her pickaxe one last time, getting the last rock out of the wall of the door. Running into it, she slammed her whole shoulder into the door.

    But it did not open.

    Vega. Is that your name?

    She ignored him, and continued to strike at the door. It was made of ordinary wood, but even her pickaxe didn¡¯t even make a dent into it. Not even a splinter.

    Vega! If you don¡¯t get out there, you will die. Your friends will die. Is that what you want? To become another helpless victim!?

    ¡°No! I¡¯m not a vic-victim. I am the mightest construct there is! I will not be stopped.¡± Laying both of her hands on the handle, she tugged with all she had. But all she had wasn¡¯t enough. Two shifts shook the room, and where Vega could see the tower was slipping further and further. If she didn¡¯t come up with anything soon, she and the whole tower would be in free fall.

    This is nothing! Nothing worth how much time I have spent on you! Nothing worth the time Kaliber has spent on you. Do you wish to disobey your master?

    Your CREATOR?!

    ¡°Ya aren¡¯t my friend.¡± Vega let go of the handles, and rested her hands on her side.

    No brute force would open this door, Vega knew. However, a magic force, perhaps could.

    Relinquish control! Surrender your body, and maybe I can save you!

    Taking out her guitar, she played a simple melody, different compared to the events at hand. Like water dripping in a calm cave, wind blowing through a field, or two sisters having a conversation.

    On her hip, the Soul Gem glowed on more. And out from it came a hurricane of water and storm. Swirling around her, it formed triple helices and flew around, outside where the tower was now falling.

    Krimm and Skaldi saw from the middle of the tower, where the magic water flowed and began to form supports, frozen hard and solid.

    A magic force Vega ignited. She began to sing, sing out to this world that wished to make her a tool.

    "Listen when I say!

    I swear on here today!

    I will not surrender, this life is mine!"

    In the now calm tower, Vega found much of the chamber in shambles, whatever art and recordings that were here had either been flung outside, or simply crushed behind tons of garbage. Of the dust, all of it had settled and the room was clear to see. As Vega rose out from a pile of rock and rubble, she discovered no light. Not even the moon.

    Just then, like a miracle, a light emerged. Not from the sky, and not from fire burning, or candle wick. From out of the rubble, from out of the debris, a single line of light took shape, shining a lovely purple.

    All of their hard work, every one of her friends and herself, had let to this very moment.

    The Scarecrow had finally found the Soul Gem, in the form of a guitar string.

    ¡°Ani. Ya are right. I am built for destruction. Built to destroy you!¡±

 Chapter 75: The Twilight of the Scarecrow

    Chapter 75: The Twilight of the Scarecrow

    ¡°Yet do I marvel at a strange thing-thing. I am weak and made of string, but I know I¡¯m not incorrect. With this heart, I will do everything to protect!¡±

    Wind blew softly past, making her hair to shift like it were the waves of the sea. The moon was at her back, making her glow in the sky like it was a divine blessing.

    Vega, unchained by the belief of Ani Arma, was armed with Soul Gems, a skill with a pickaxe and a guitar, and magics that she had yet to master. She knew her purpose, she knew she wouldn¡¯t be alone or abandoned.

    But, stronger than all that, was the truth. A truth that she would matter so long as she tried to make the world a better place.

    Inside her soul, she knew she wouldn¡¯t be useless, she wouldn¡¯t let herself be ridiculed or reduced to some plaything. Alive, was the word Vega felt, rushing through her scars and wires.

    No one was stopping her anymore. No blade, no insult, no memory was going to stop her from living her own life. A righteous purpose eradicated all sense of worry, for she was going to live her life to the fullest. She¡¯d climb every tree, see every sky, and meet every person!

    ¡°I won¡¯t even let the concept of gravity stop me!¡± She cried out, letting out a tremendous cheer as she spun around mid air, proceeding to swirl and dance. The Soul Gems too joined her in this excitement and joy, orbiting her like comets.

    ¡°Wait¡­ what the hell-hell is gravity?¡±

    The scarecrow looked down.

    ¡°...why the fuck-fuck am I falling?¡±

    ¡°Idiot!¡± A familiar caw Vega heard from above. The shine of an amber crown and black feathers were soaring above her, before she felt the grip of a talon on her shoulder. Instead of falling to her almost certain doom, an old friend had returned.

    ¡°Kaliba! Oh, how-how I¡¯ve missed you!¡± Reaching out for the crow¡¯s head, she gave Kaliba two soft pats, to which it cooed softly.

    ¡°Vega-vega!¡±

    ¡°Yes, I am Vega! It¡¯s me buddy! I¡¯m so glad ya are back!¡± A tear came to her eyes, as smiled at the reunion. While she was happy to have finally escaped the tower and its obstacles, Vega was even happier to reunite with her friends. Laying her hand on Kaliba¡¯s head, she sweetly tilted her head up at the crow. ¡°I¡¯m so glad I¡¯m back! We are so back-back!¡±

    ¡°Shut up.¡±

    ¡°Fair-fair enough.¡±

    ¡°Vega! Down here!¡± Another voice called out, except from out under her. The crow and the scarecrow checked and saw a redhead and black haired elf standing next to each other.

    ¡°Gay-gay?¡± Kaliba questioned.

    ¡°No, Krimm is lesbian. That¡¯s the proper term. Be better Kaliba, be better.¡± Vega crossed her arms, acting all smart when she really misunderstood the fuck out what Kaliba was saying.

    Floating down to the ground, Vega took the whole scene in. The hill she had climbed up to the temple, the store where she met the shopkeeper who gave her advice. And now, the place where Kaliber¡¯s tower had rested, anchored on the wall and standing in the Ghost town.

    All had changed, about this place and herself. Though hurt and threatened by war, it wouldn¡¯t fall so long as people defended it.

    Papers and books coated the city streets and rooftops like leaves, all of Kaliber¡¯s research was now revealed and able to spread to everyone. But for now, Vega had to talk to another friend.

    ¡°Hey ya guys! How are ya¡­¡± Turning around to see the two, the sight was a little jarring to say the least. Sweat coating his skin and clothes, Skaldi seemed to have been worse for wear to say the least.

    And Krimm, much to Vega¡¯s strange liking, had a very creepy smile.

    Granted, anyone with a scar like Krimm¡¯s would have a creepy smile, but it was in conjunction with Skaldi¡¯s presence that sort of threw her off.

    In addition, it seemed like both of them were really relieved to see her here. Afterall, she did just risk her life for some magic rocks.

    ¡°...hey¡­ best buddy.¡± Skaldi walked up to her, and without shame, gave her a hug that he had been needing these past couple days.

    ¡°Woah! Skaldi, you good?¡± Vega, surprised by his emotional vulnerability, was expecting some crass statement about what she had been doing. But instead of asking, she let the redhead hug her. Plus, she needed a hug too.

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    ¡°Shit, I thought you were gone some place, that¡­¡± Skaldi looked at Krimm, letting his thoughts be presented by the look on his face. He was discomforted by Krimm but he understood something had happened between her and Vega.

    He really needed some kind of comfort and relief, and he gladly took the chance when he saw her. He wasn¡¯t going to talk shit now.

    ¡°Fair enough. So-so what¡¯s up?¡±

    ¡°Just a war, nothing out of the ordinary. Probably the more mundane thing, but that doesn¡¯t matter.¡± Letting go, Skaldi rubbed the back of his head, now rejuvenated and alert.

    Vega took a step back to observe what was in front of her. It was kind of ironic, and very funny.

    A sassy homosexual elf that had some history with the Galtian elves that had been scarred physically and emotionally.

    And a violent homosexual elf that had some history with the Galtian elves that had also been scarred physically and emotionally¡­

    ¡°Huh, ya know it isn¡¯t a lot, but it¡¯s weird it¡¯s happened twice. I guess it¡¯s like poetry, it rhymes.¡± Vega let her smile drop, and looked out to the fires and battle further in the city.

    ¡°Guys, I¡¯m glad we¡¯re all doing okay. But we got some shit on our hands.¡± Krimm¡¯s voice cut the ease and got them focused on the danger at hand. ¡°Any idea of how to get this metaphorical shit out?¡±

    ¡°I got a rock?¡± Vega held out the Soul Gem flask, now not doing any amazing magical stuff. The flask could still function, but it seemed it had to operate in the special way Vega could.

    ¡°A rock is nice¡­ uh¡­ good job.¡± Krimm patted Vega¡¯s head, sort of like you do to a dog. Expect Krimm had no fucking clue how to do it.

    ¡°Hmm¡­ Lady Lai and Chakirt got some extra mercenaries, like a ton. I told them to target the leader, that Runtaii guy.¡± Walking down the steps, Skaldi pointed out to where the main battle was. Seeing the carnage and hearing the clash of metal, it seemed like the most likely spot.

    ¡°That¡¯s not all we¡¯re gonna have to deal with. There¡¯s Snake Skins, plenty of archers, and who know¡¯s what Runtaii has got planned.¡± Staying on top of the temple hill, Krimm looked up to the rooftops. ¡°I¡¯ll take care of the archers and the fire arrows, you two got to figure out Runtaii.¡±

    ¡°Can¡¯t you kill him? Aren¡¯t you literally an Assassin? Throwing black powder bombs isn¡¯t good enough?¡± Skaldi questioned, speaking with scorn. Afterall, the two elves had yet to reconcile, and Krimm had yet to atone.

    Averting her eyes, Krimm actually seemed hurt by Skaldi, backing away. She opened her mouth to speak, but it took a bit for words to come out.

    ¡°Look, Runtaii and more specifically, Ani Arma, has made plans to prevent Assassins from taking down any Tripolian leaders or Patriarchs. Like¡­ it literally hurts to do so to the point I would die of shock? Or that I might potentially go insane?¡± Krimm held her arm and spoke with a degree of shame. Being able to kill Runtaii would have been very useful, but certain magics prevented her from doing so.

    ¡°Really? Well then fuck! And we still don¡¯t know where everyone else is.¡± Skaldi threw up his arms and began to search for any object that could help them in the situation.

    And then he remembered the Soul Gem, the one Sorbet had given him. The one of makeup, where Vega had used it to produce a rose.

    ¡°Huh¡­ Here''s hoping you can put this to use.¡± Throwing the Soul Gem over head, Vega was barely able to catch it. She looked at the jar, glowing emerald light. Turning her gaze to a streetway packed with gardens, Vega had a pretty stellar idea.

    ¡°This is not the time to be throwing Soul Gems.¡± Standing taller than Skaldi, Krimm wagged her finger at him.

    ¡°Whatever lady. Vega, just I don¡¯t know, make sure you put some roses on Runtaii¡¯s grave or something. I don¡¯t know, get weird with it!¡± Skaldi threw up his hands, proceeding to grab his gear that he was going to use and fasten to his bandolier.

    Rolling her eyes, Vega pocketed the Soul Gem, seeing it glow as she stuffed into her chest. A strange feeling happened, like it and Vega were tethered together by some cosmic force, or some undead power.

    ¡°Maybe someone else could use-use one of these thingies.¡± Seeing the not too distant fires, Vega looked at the flask. Perhaps there someone who could help in a new way.

    ¡°What are you doing now?¡± Skaldi wiped his forehead of sweat, worried that Vega was going to do something weird with it.

    ¡°Here!¡± Vega spoke to Krimm, who seemed shocked by what Vega was doing. Holding out her hand, Vega was offering the Soul Gem she obtained in the tower¡¯s fountain. Even Skaldi seemed surprised, in trusting the Soul Gem to the former Assassin.

    ¡°What is this all about? I¡¯m not thirsty. I¡¯m not a-¡±

    ¡°Krimm, take this. It¡¯s a Soul-Gen thingy, a rock-rock flask thingy that makes water. Ya aren¡¯t just a killer, not anymore-more.¡± Speaking calmly, Vega forced Krimm to make no more arguement. Reluctantly, Krimm took the Soul into her hands.

    Faintly, water began to pour out once more.

    ¡°...thank you.¡± The Fairy nodded, appreciating Vega¡¯s trust.

    ¡°So, are we going to stand around or are we going to take the fight to that fucker Runtaii?¡± Skaldi questioned, knowing they all were going to head into a storm of war.

    ¡°Not a chance-chance!¡± Vega spoke up.

    ¡°Nope-nope.¡± Kaliba cawed.

    ¡°Let¡¯s show him.¡± Krimm prepared to prove herself.

    ¡°That¡¯s good to hear.¡± Skaldi pulled out his glaive, arming himself. For a second, they felt the fear in their fibers. And after that, not anymore.

    ¡°Well then let¡¯s go after him!¡± Breaking out into a sprint in front of them, Vega took out her guitar and waved them to follow her. Awkwardly surprised by Vega¡¯s unwavering action, the two were sort of awe struck. That she was so willing to enter into a battlefield, and it made them feel safe. It made them feel strong.

    Following close behind her, the two elves joined forces with her, and got ready to change the tide of this storm.

 Chapter 76: Crushing a Conqueror!

    Chapter 76: Crushing a Conqueror!

    Like a Ghost exorcised and unleashed by its unholy binding, Vega ran through the ruins and fires with righteous purpose and fervor. She was scared, for fires that rose higher than the cityscape roared around her like a hellish beast, and the clashing of steel made her worried not for own survival, but for those that couldn¡¯t defend themselves.

    As she ran from the terraced streets and homes, Vega saw all of Uvi Jantok. Not in the city but in the people, of all creeds and forms and nations. The Tripolians Ghosts alongside the Matigas Na Tao gangsters and the average Iozian folk, each doing their part to fight against the fires and soldiers that would be their end. And these very people held the line, held the line for their hero to arrive.

    Feeling rather silly, Vega thought herself pretty disappointing, at least in looks. Afterall, scarecrows don¡¯t often make for heroes. Scarecrows don¡¯t make anything really. Really, scarecrows don¡¯t do much outside than stand. But this scarecrow, wouldn¡¯t stand for this, wouldn¡¯t be petrified by its creator.

    Hopping over flames and landing in rolls, Vega¡¯s dexterity was on full display, which had caught the eye of a certain old man. Seeing Vega not running after but towards the fight inspired a loud remark.

    ¡°Hold on. Look, it''s that scarecrow girl! Hey, look folks!¡± Stepping on a great piece of rubble, Ruiato Ng waved his arms to the people, pointing as Vega dashed past.

    Twirling in the air like a dancer, Vega dodged incoming fire arrows which everyone ducked except herself. From out the rubble, Ruiato looked on as Vega carried the now glowing Soul Gems on her hip and guitar.

    ¡°Hey farang, what are you doing!? You¡¯re gonna get killed!¡± Ruiato cautiously yelled, not wanting another person to become a victim of the invaders. Plenty of the people awaited, seeing this bizarre girl in such danger.

    ¡°I¡¯m gonna go-go do the best I can! I¡¯m going to destroy this guy!¡± Giving a most genuine and reassuring smile, which seemed to make all the war and chaos fade away. Like this scarecrow helped them by being there, and she was planning on saving them.

    No, not plan. This scarecrow was going to save them.

    ¡°...yeah. Good luck little one!¡± Ruiato gave one last yell, before running to aid with the firefighting efforts.

    But he wasn¡¯t the only one to go deliver a cheer for the scarecrow. As Vega ran throughout the streets, getting closer and closer to the main battle, more and more people recognized the scarecrow and gave her cheers. Seeing the glowing power from her and the bravery on her stitched face made the whole situation become far more calm. That they all could defeat this demon of war.

    ¡°Go miss!¡± A mother of two cheered as she carried buckets of water to the firefighters.

    ¡°You got this! Show those fools the might of our spirit!¡± A young priest sang out, as he fixed up the injured watchmen and guards.

    ¡°~Give them all our heart and strength!~¡± A Tripolian Ghost spoke, as he operated pipes to flood the streets so the invaders would advance no more.

    Just some of the literally thousands of cheers Vega received as she ran, with each person seeing a defender had turned up. One that would not close their gates, their hearts, or their hands to them.

    Stop! You fool, you have no idea what you¡¯re doing!

    Carrying more weight and determination, Vega flat out hadn¡¯t noticed the attempt of Ani Arma to speak to her. She wasn¡¯t ignoring him, she simply couldn¡¯t.

    ¡°Close-close!¡± Kaliba flew off her shoulder and soared higher into the sky, as if scouting out the battle ahead.

    ¡°Thank-thanks buddy! Let¡¯s get ready to show them. They don¡¯t know what the fucks about to happen.¡± With her pickaxe in one and her guitar in another, Vega prepared for a battle unlike any other. Instead of constantly running away or letting someone else do the heavy lifting, she wouldn¡¯t be left to be support. Vega, with all the cheers of everyone behind her, going all or nothing!

    Vega, did you not hear? Ah, you¡¯re trying to be sour. Well, let me tell you this, Runtaii isn¡¯t the same lad as a week ago. He¡¯s mad, insane, he¡¯s going to eradicate you. Strand by strand, fabric by fabric, he¡¯s going to burn you alive!

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    ¡°Vega! Is that you?¡± A familiar and tough voice came from just behind her. A heavy soldier dressed in steel plates, with olive skin and black hair. Exactly what Vega would call a friend.

    ¡°Bolato? Wooo! Nice to see-see ya!¡± Vega raised her arms high, glad to see him after so long. Running alongside her, he only gave her a strong gaze and a kind nod. He planned on joining and had no fear in her presence.

    ¡°Nice-nice!¡± The crow chirped out.

    ¡°~Oh, finally. We fools have reunited.¡± A more tired but strong voice came from her left. A turbaned fighter, tall and carrying a journal and set of javelins, with his green makeup and fierce eyes.

    ¡°Amir? Good, we¡¯ll have someone who can mess with Runtaii. We¡¯re getting close!¡± Bolato focused, putting on his helmet and readying his tower shield and arming his leaf shaped sword.

    ¡°~Vega¡­~¡± Tapping Vega¡¯s head as they both ran, Amir wished to communicate something he sadly couldn¡¯t, to say thanks for all she has done for them. The look on Vega¡¯s face seemed to do that for him, something true and truly universal. He sucked in air before speaking. ¡°~...let¡¯s show Ani Arma that we¡¯re more than tools.~¡±

    Rah! You are less than tools, you are goddamn fools! Tools are useful, tools don¡¯t disobey! And tools like Amir are replaced. Vega, this is your last chance. Your last chance before I interfere.

    ¡°Go get them!¡± As the three ran, more people cheered them on, as if seeing them gave them rejuvenated energy to keep pushing despite the risks. Only a few hundred feet from a battle line, they could see Runtaii, atop his steed and clad in pure metal like a war statue.

    This is it. Do you want to suffer? Do you wish to be locked away so far underground and so far away from sound that you¡¯ll believe yourself to be the only person in the universe?! Give up! Give up! GIVE UP!

    ¡°Show them what we¡¯re made of!¡± Another person yelled out, as them were nearing the edge of the battle line.

    ¡°Fight with all our might!¡± One more called out in front of them, a younger man who held out his hand. Doing a really awesome, ultra badass backflip, Vega proceed to give the coolest dap up in all of existence.

    This is the shit that wiped out the dinosaurs. What¡¯s a dinosaur, you might be wondering? Exactly.

    If you die, if you lose¡­ I promise an afterlife of torment¡­.

    ¡°...haha! If I-I win, I promise a future where everyone is freed from their chains, from metal and orders. I will defeat you!¡± One with one last leap over burning rubble, Vega and those that joined her entered into the battle line.

    With the cry of the crowd behind them, everyone who had seen them charge ahead knew their unlikely and uncommon savior had arrived. Vega had not heard the voice of Ani Arma, but a collective call for someone to help.

    Now, and forevermore, Vega would no longer be under the influence of the Voice. The Scarecrow had learned the truth, and was set free.

    Landing on the shaken street, there were many cracks and craters, all with a thick haze of smoke. As they proceeded forward, they took on a cautious approach, not seeing any Iozians there.

    ¡°Retreat! We can¡¯t hold this street.¡± A commander ordered from deeper in the smoke. Followed by the order, they heard several men¡¯s footsteps and weakened panting. They couldn¡¯t see it, but they knew something awful had just happened. Very faintly, they could see blood on the ground, but no bodies or arrows with them. Something powerful must have driven them away.

    ¡°...keep calm. All we got to do is get Runtaii.¡± Bolato went ahead of the two, being alert of any threats that could emerge from the smoke. ¡°We do that, we win this battle.¡±

    ¡°...hmmm¡­¡± Vega sensed a strange feeling, not too unlike her Soul Gems when she first detected them. However, it felt less like music and more like a crackling laughter, like joyful insanity. ¡°...there¡¯s something here. I can-can feel it.¡±

    ¡°Men! We can only flood this street. Move out, don¡¯t try to fight it!¡± Another commander ordered, with fewer footsteps than the one earlier. Many of the soldiers seemed to have been in great pain. And much to their dislike, it was much closer now.

    Amir holding his javelin, ready to throw them at whatever that would threaten them, noticed something on the ground. An odd thing, even for a battlefield. From the many bricks that formed the street road, one of them was pulled out. And on the brick, Amir saw, were teeth.

    ¡°~Wait! Don¡¯t go any closer! Look!~¡± Amir told both of them, and immediately went to his journal. Flipping through the pages rapidly, he stopped on one and showed a terrifying image. Drawn out on the paper, a beast unlike any other in Iozia, one that if one was mad enough or rich enough, could tame. And carried a magic force for it was an ancient descendant of a monster.

    ¡°Move! INCOMING!¡± A soldier cried out, as a giant ball of flame lit up in the sky, and heading towards Vega¡¯s direction. Stunned by the sight, Vega had barely enough time to leapt out of the way, landing on her face. The smoke now dissipated, they could now see what the soldiers had been running from.

    Runtaii, with blood dripping down half of his face, carried a solemn grimace and crossed his arms when he saw Vega in front of him. He and his horse was clad in armor, so much you couldn¡¯t see anything of him aside from his eyes and mouth.

    Beside him were a great assembly of Snake Skins, all battered and unprotected, many of them sporting burns and cuts, but none wailing in pain or collapsing from the inhuman amount of damage. They stared forward, awaiting their next order.

    And walking from out the Snake Skins was what Amir had warned them about. With foam in its mouth and hiding the color of gray death, a horrible beast snarled at them. A fierce Werehyena, as big as a horse and with teeth like broken glass. Eyes like moons, Vega could see it had no longer been an animal. Now, it was only a war machine.

    The scarecrow, standing up to face the conqueror, prepared to fight. She was more than a war machine. She was art given life.

 Chapter 77: The Scarecrow Striker! (Part 1!)

    Chapter 77: The Scarecrow Striker! (Part 1!)

    Standing face to face to a murderous conqueror doesn¡¯t always give people a sense of safety, especially when he¡¯s invading your city. It might be, forgive if I¡¯m wrong, more absolutely shit your pants terrifying. But hey, maybe for some people it¡¯s actually calming.

    What wasn¡¯t calming was the look on Runtaii¡¯s face. Vega, Bolato, and Amir could all see it. In his eyes dark red veins bulged large, barely able to contain the hate inside. And a wicked smile, with stains of blood carried down from his face. A hatred that smiles.

    Breathing in deeply, Runtaii appeared not so well. An arrow was embedded in his left arm, with a small stream of blood coming out. However, he moved like it wasn¡¯t even there.

    ¡°...scarecrow¡­¡± His voice, full of malice and pain, called out Vega. Riding his horse closer, Amir and Bolato backed up, preparing for a charge. Instead of giving ground, Vega continued forward to meet Runtaii.

    Everyone there seemed surprised, even Runtaii. Though clad in battle armor, he felt fear for a moment. Soon after, he felt hunger. A hunger for torment. A hunger to prove himself not a tool of Ani Arma, but the fiercest warrior of Clan Galabag.

    ¡°Hah. I see the little girl is braver than the other two.¡± Runtaii rode forward, spinning his spear in his hands. Much of it was covered in blood, and it sprinkled as he went.

    ¡°I¡¯m no-no little girl. I am Vega.¡± Putting her pickaxe at her back, Vega carried her guitar in her left hand.

    ¡°...V¡­ Vega¡­¡± A weak voice spoke, from underneath a small pile of bodies. Blonde hair stained with blood, and carmel skin bruised.

    ¡°...Florato?¡± Turning to see her, Vega gasped at what she saw. Wearing the mastercrafted armor the mermaids had given her, Florato had decided to aid in the fight against the invaders. Covered in scratches and bite marks, much of the armor had suffered. One of her legs seemed to have been chewed on, with rivers bleeding out.

    ¡°Hey¡­ how¡¯s it going?¡± Laughing and coughing, Florato crawled over to her. Bolato ran up to the actress and pulled her away from Runtaii.

    ¡°Holy, Florato!¡± Vega called out, finally breaking from how sudden it all was. Amir, taking out some medicines from his pockets, immediately went to work, patching her up. He did not care that Runtaii was ready to kill them all, all he understood was that Florato was hurt.

    ¡°Ha! It seems like you know this one, little lady. A shame too, she would been a nice addition to my harem-¡± Caught off, Runtaii¡¯s mouth started to bleed as someone had thrown a dagger, narrowing missing his mouth. ¡°Rah! What the¡­¡±

    Florato, with her last bit of strength, had thrown the dagger. In fact, Skaldi had given it to her just in case anything went wrong. She wouldn¡¯t let someone talk down to her and make her some object to be leered out.

    ¡°You can go to hell. And don¡¯t worry, Vega is gonna send you there!¡± Giving one final promise, Florato then passed out. Although the actress wasn¡¯t one for blood and gore, she persisted long enough to resist.

    ¡°~Don¡¯t worry Florato, my friend. Rest now, we will take care of the rest.~¡± Amir whispered into her ear, laying her head down and patching up her wounds as best he could.

    Rage, like boiling magma, resided in Vega¡¯s core. She wanted to sprint start at Runtaii and brush his skull. However she knew she was outnumbered.

    Vega didn¡¯t have enough strength to face Runtaii alone, feeling the tremendous presence of the Snake Skins. One of them could slice her into strips, so she had to come up with an idea.

    Would it work, she did not know.

    ¡°Ya don¡¯t talk to like that to-to any of my friends. You¡¯ll pay for that.¡±

    ¡°Oh, I see.¡± Runtaii spoke as if offended that Vega was claiming to be more than what she immediately looked like. ¡° I guess you¡¯re just some mature lady, are you going to lecture me about how I shouldn¡¯t pillage this city and burn it to the ground? T-that I shouldn¡¯t rob it of its riches? Well, that a-ain¡¯t how''s it going to be!¡±

    ¡°~What is that fool doing?~¡± Amir pinched the bridge of his nose, while Bolato looked close at Vega¡¯s Soul Gems. They weren¡¯t glowing, but softly flashing on and off, like a heartbeat. Was she trying to hide them, Bolato wondered. Whatever she had planned, Bolato understood he needed to back her up.

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    Right now, she¡¯s the ace up the sleeve and folding this hand isn¡¯t an option.

    ¡°Runtaii, trust-trust me when I say this. Ya don¡¯t deserve to live.¡± Speaking with the upmost disgust, Vega proceeded to flip Runtaii off.

    ¡°Oh fuck.¡± Bolato muttered to himself.

    ¡°~This isn¡¯t good.~¡± Amir, despite not knowing any Iozian, agreed.

    ¡°Ya are a detestable ball of slime, ya des-despicable fuck. Did ya really think I came here to lecture ya? Ya don¡¯t deserve me-me to talk-talk to ya-ya. In fact, get the fuck out of here before I show ya what I can do.¡±

    Haha! Holy shit, I never really expected that amount of sass and bitterness out of such a kind hearted being as Vega.

    ¡°What is this idiot planning? She¡¯s gonna get herself¡­killed¡­¡± Bolato, in the middle of his sentence, realized Vega¡¯s plan. She wasn¡¯t planning to sting and rile up Runtaii for the sake of pissing him off.

    Vega was deliberately putting a target on her back so that Runtaii would focus on her. If could have at the moment, congratulated Vega on her idea.

    Now granted, this was a relatively simple plan, but one that allowed to split up the forces of the main leader. Still, they needed a way to take down that werehyena. That, Bolato understood, Vega didn¡¯t have a plan for.

    ¡°Damn ya straight to the hells, because neither Recor or I will have mercy upon ya!¡± Vega finished her last insult, and strutted up to the side of Runtaii¡¯s horse. He could see the anger boiling in his skin and his fist clenching so hard it snapped a piece of metal from his gauntlet.

    ¡°...hmm. Haha! HAHA!¡± The sound of Runtaii¡¯s laughs echoed throughout the city, like a siren of some awful devil. Crazed, exhausted, yet enchanted by violent purpose, Runtaii could hardly restrain himself from immediately bulldozing Vega.

    His smile began to fade, as Runtaii locked his teeth into a bitter frown. Raising his fist into the air, the Snake Skins readied to give their lives for the next order.

    ¡°...murder her¡­¡± Commanding those under his rule, Runtaii led the charge after Vega, who bolted away from Bolato and Amir.

    Whole lines of Snake Skins ran with hellish strength, flat out ignoring the fires they ran into, not even caring to jump over or pat the flames on their bodies. Like a scene out of a horror show, the Snakes Skins were not able to care for themselves, for they were robbed out of any choice in the matter.

    Vega knew that, and she knew that she could fix that.

    Left alone with ten troops and the Werehyena, Bolato and Amir admired what Vega had done for them. Although this would be the fight of their life¡¯s, it might be a fight they could win. So long as they stick together, they could be more than they were alone.

    Running down the streets and powered only by hope, Vega drew Runtaii and his forces out of line. Because he was chasing her, Runtaii disconnected from the other forces, and was now alone. Still, he had plenty of men to throw at her, so she began to think on how to best use her power.

    Playing a basic melody, Vega thought on how to create the roses from before. Would it be a violent, thunderous song? Or a soft rhythm that broke through the chaos of war? Vega needed an answer, she needed inspiration.

    ¡°Come on, think-think Vega! Ya need something? Ya need¡­ emotion!¡± Vega snapped her fingers and placed them on her guitar. The clopping of hooves and mob of Snake Skins chasing after her became drums, loud and great. And so she played quick and electric sounds on her guitar, and her Soul Gems started to glow once more.

    ¡°What!? What is that?!¡± Runtaii saw the glowing, and began to swing his spear at her wildly, always just off the mark of hitting her. The more and more she played, the greater the glow, and Runtaii could feel the power emitting from them. Not the type from fires and explosions, but a power that unites all sentient beings. One that moves heart and souls.

    ¡°ONE, TWO, THREE, FOUR!¡± Screaming, the scarecrow leapt into the air, and started to float, ever so slightly. Calling his horse to stop, Runtaii looked up at her, amazed and angered by the event.

    Really, floating when you really shouldn¡¯t isn¡¯t all that amazing. But the fact Vega was able to replicate the same event, back in Obstacle One, was rather peculiar. Even she was astonished. But that would have to wait, as she continued to play the song, and sing.

    ¡°I do not breathe, I cannot feel, I do not care which one is real.¡± As she sang, thin vines grew from the Soul Gem on her hip. And the string changed from a brillant purple to a passionate red. From all across the cityscape, you could see a red star emerge along with the song.

    ¡°Your will to live, put to the test. What separates ya from the rest?¡± Pointing down at Runtaii, Vega smiled in a cheeky manner. Seeing the fury on his face, she could feel the vines growing barbs and spikes.

    She was drawing out his emotion to fuel her magic.

    ¡°I¡¯m stronger now! Ya cannot win! Against the evil that¡¯s within!¡± Evermore, the vines shot down with lighting pace, imbedding into the ground as if they were metal!

    Backing up in shock, Runtaii let his mouth drop. This scarecrow wasn¡¯t some fool, it wasn¡¯t a spirit nor mortal being. It was something more, something further beyond.

    With a cosmic strength and vigor, Vega sang out into the sky with the Soul Gems singing with her. She wasn¡¯t singing it to herself, to Runtaii, or even to the people who were witness to the moment.

    The Scarecrow sang to the world, to anyone that wished to destroy her or her friends. That she was the mightiest construct in all of existence. Not because she was a metallic menace, or a heartless hazard. But because she had something to fight for, something to protect.

    Something lies and deceit can never defeat.

    Something spear and shield can never heal.

    A belief that was truth, a fountain of youth. A familiar youth was made.

    Tears fell from her eyes, as realized what she was made for. To destroy, to protect, and to save.

    ¡°No blood to bleed, no bones to break. Now let¡¯s see HOW MUCH CAN YA TAKE!¡±

 2 Week Break.

    Hello everyone, Century Robot here.

    Surprise surprise, I have to go on break again, and its not because something bad happened, more just inconvenient stuff.

    The job that I recently got has been going pretty good, I work at a movie theater and it''s really nice. HOWEVER, as you might imagine with the absolute fuck ton of movies coming out, a whole lot of my schedule is packed and leaving less time to write.

    This novel''s true home is a different platform. Support the author by finding it there.

    Again, this does fucking blow since I was really getting into the groove of writing again. Despite this, I have every intention to deliver this story and complete it. All its going to take is some time. Hopefully work doesn''t interfere as much.

    I still love writing this story, but responsibilities are responsivities. I will return on the 28th. This is less of a smoke break and more of a I have to take care of a lot of shit.

 Chapter 77: The Scarecrow Striker (Part 2!)

    Chapter 77: The Scarecrow Striker (Part 2!)

    Marvelous, all of Vega¡¯s being, it was. Like an explosion of all the emotions she had welled up throughout her entire life exitted, surrounding and swirling around her. They arrived in the forms of rose petals, tufts of hay, sheets of doodles and drawings, the voices of Ena and Kaliber, along with a triple helix of glowing light.

    As if she were being announced by all she was and grew to be. Vega felt like she was more than the humble scarecrow she had thought she was. More than the idiot people called her, and more than what Ani Arma and Runtaii were aiming to reduce her to.

    And more importantly, Vega finally stopped believing she was the greatest construct. Vega KNEW she was the greatest construct in all of continents.

    Flowing ever still, Vega tilted her stance to face the amazed Runtaii. His mouth open, and his eyes a mixture of fury and envy. Tears fell from her eyes, and the wind blew and took them away. She could think about her origin and her latent powers later. Uvi Jantok needed to be saved.

    ¡°...Kaliba?¡± She spoke to her bird friend, who (totally not shockingly) seemed disturbed by all the magic shit.

    ¡°Yes-yes? Friend-friend?¡± Kaliba cawed.

    ¡°Go get Skaldi and Krimm. As soon as they¡¯re done-done with the fire arrows, I need them to get here as soon as they can!¡±

    ¡°Sure-sure?¡± Asking for the first time, Kaliba sounded actually worried.

    ¡°I need their help-help for my idea. Go-go!¡± She ordered and Kaliba flew as fast as possible. Placing her fingers on the guitar, she felt the Soul Gem starting to beat, like a heart.

    Below her was Runtaii and all of his Snake Skins, the people that were robbed of their sentience and reduced to weapons and slaves. How am I going to break them free, Vega thought.

    Remembering the Snake Skin, the one from Jinmai, that one that sung with her and ceased, Vega had a plan. A dangerous one, but it was all she had. If the tilt of this battle was to be shifted, she needed to break free every single Snake Skin possible, and maybe then they had a shot.

    ¡°...this scarecrow is really something else!¡± Announcing more to himself, Runtaii raised his spear to the sky. Following this signal, the Snake Skins drawed out daggers and darts. ¡°Show her the might of Galabag!¡±

    Unleashing at the same time, the Snake Skins hurled hundreds of sharp and deadly weapons at her.

    ¡°Ha! Then let me show ya the might of my meddle!¡± Like a speeding bullet, Vega rushed down to meet Runtaii head on. She wasn¡¯t going to go on the defensive, not anymore. Vega wanted to show everything she had to prove, and everything that she had to fight for.

    Dodging the darts and daggers, Vega danced around them as she flew down. The pedals and the hay followed behind her, like a trail of a comet. Within a few moments, she landed amongst the Snake Skins and began to work her magic (pun very much intended).

    Flipping around like an acrobat, Vega weaved from the Snake Skins attacks. Surrounded by two dozen of them, she slid underneath them, jumped from head to head, and twirled around all of their attempts. She wasn¡¯t going to fight them, all of her rage was completely focused on Runtaii.

    Playing her song with ferocious ire, she stirred up all emotion she could find. The pain, the sorrow, everything that the Snake Skins couldn¡¯t express. She would free them, and return their lives.

    Runtaii, without any regard for his troops, rushed forward trampling on anyone in his way. Crouching his spear, he aimed for Vega¡¯s center of mass, hoping to split her in two. Here and now, this is where he would have his revenge. Here he would avenge Sabere.

    ¡°There¡¯s nowhere to run! There¡¯s nowhere to hide!¡± He yelled out, mania in his voice. Soon he will have her secrets, her magic.

    Jumping over one last Snake Skins, a clearing opened for Vega. She couldn¡¯t quite tell what was happening, but it seemed the Snake Skins were moving not because they were ordered to. Sensing it very closely, she felt the faintest collective fear.

    ¡°...How do ya kill what¡¯s not alive?!¡± Rushing forward, Vega continued to play her song, with the guitar sparking with electric waves. Each string ignited like metal striking metal, and the song echoed throughout the city.

    Although many of the defenders did not know where it came from, they rallied and sang along with it.

    ¡°Born into godhood, I¡¯m coming for ya and I¡¯ll never stop. Never stop!¡± Leaping forward, she was carried by the energy and met Runtaii face to face. In fractions of a second, Vega swapped her guitar and spun to strike with her pickaxe. Like a lighting tornado, she devastated where she struck.

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    Knocked off his horse, Runtaii fell to the street ground, dazed by the impact. He knew he wasn¡¯t dead, but felt much of his chest plate had been torn straight off. Touching it, he felt the entire left side was gone while the right only clung to his shoulder and waist.

    Not too far before him Vega, stanced forward. Runtaii wasn¡¯t sure why she wasn¡¯t attacking, she had him on the ground and at complete disadvantage. However, he noticed something in her limbs.

    Cracks in her metallic legs, her arms had thin whiskers of metal scrapped off. Subtle, but noticeable enough injuries. It couldn¡¯t have been his spear, he knew that he missed.

    Her face was twisted and she tried to maintain composure. Opening his eyes, he realized what had happened.

    Vega was in pain.

    Not the emotional pain, but the type of pain of snapping bones. The amount of magic that was following through Vega was manifesting itself in multiple ways. The roses, the floating and the light. But most dangerously, a sense of pain that she had never dealt with before.

    ¡°What¡¯s wrong scarecrow? Can¡¯t handle the stress?¡± Runtaii ran forward, holding his spear to sweep Vega¡¯s legs. Slicing along the ground, he managed to actually catch her off guard.

    ¡°Woah!¡± As she fell, Vega quickly did a handstand and flipped away. The pain was fainter, but still very much present. Never did she expect magic to give her a sense of pain.

    Staring down at her injuries, she took a few moments to savor the sense. The aching, the coldness of her limbs, the shock of it. Vega understood she wouldn¡¯t break if she tried such a powerful strike again, however she might end up too shocked to even react.

    Strangely, Vega enjoyed the pain. Alive, was the word she chose to describe it. Magic, all of it hadn¡¯t been mastered and she wouldn¡¯t get a chance to ease into her abilities. And yet, she appreciated the fact she would be able to learn it, if she were to survive.

    ¡°...Hmm. I will not-not rest until you¡¯re dead!¡± Gripping tight onto her pickaxe, Vega lunged at Runtaii, who too ran to fight her. While Vega made a flurry of swings, Runtaii deflected them and waited for another opportunity to trip her up.

    The Snake Skin weren¡¯t far behind, aiding their enslaver by taking up what little space Vega could swing into. She didn¡¯t want to hurt them, seeing that they too were victims of Runtaii and Ani Arma. And if she wanted this fight to go back into her favor, she needed to figure out how to get them on her side.

    She needed to give them a choice.

    ¡°Amir, move!¡± Shoving him out the way, they both narrowly fell just under the were-hyena¡¯s charge. Jaws snapping just near his head, Bolato¡¯s ears were ringing, faintly. He wasn¡¯t sure if it was because the were-hyena or all the chaos that had been happening today.

    While the rest of Runtaii¡¯s forces went with him, the hyena stayed, wanting to finish off the two before joining the rest. Its spotted fur stained with blood, and teeth surrounded by foam and bubbles, a terrible sight to behold.

    But for the two, Amir and Bolato weren¡¯t going to be its meal. The hyena was more strong and agile, but they were far more cunning.

    ¡°~Shield, I¡¯ll deal with this beast.~¡± Getting behind Bolato, Amir readied his javelins. He knew he couldn¡¯t penetrate the hide of the hyena, seeing the blade marks make only shallow cuts. He wasn¡¯t going to stab it, he was going to blind it.

    ¡°This damn thing is huge! Hmm¡­ and needs space to charge. Over here!¡± Pointing with his sword, Bolato instructed Amir to back up into a small stairway. They were¨Chyena followed, climbing up the steps and eyed the two with its awful eyes.

    ¡°~Come on you cur! Face the might of man. Face the fury of a father!~¡± Amir goaded loudly, waiting for the exact moment to throw the javelin.

    Howling like a rabid dog, the were-hyena went full pelt towards the two. Cutting the distance in mere moments, the hyena opened its jaws wide and leaped into the air.

    The instant the hyena leaped at them, Amir pulled back his arm and pushed forward with all his strength, throwing the javelin so hard it whistled in the air. As the hyena was one foot away from Bolato¡¯s shield, the sharpened point of the javelin broke against its skull.

    Sliding away and on its side, the hyena was dazed by the hit, although with blood coming out from the center of its head.

    ¡°...let¡¯s do this!¡± Hesitant but not freezing, Bolato charged forward with Amir just behind. The Tripolian threw an additional javelin to prevent the were-hyena from recovering quickly, but it only left a scratch.

    When the hyena staggered to its feet, Bolato stabbed and stabbed, bashing with his shield to keep it off balance. Most of his stabs never even broke the hide, however it did allow Amir to make an attack for its eyes.

    Taking one dagger and making one nasty slice, Amir caused a gushing of blood and pained howl. Immediately the hyena knocked the two off their feet in its rage, and snarled as it licked the blood off its face.

    ¡°...hah. Come on! You want some back?¡± Bolato rose, waving the beast forward. The were-hyena sort of laughed, like it couldn¡¯t believe they had actually hurt it. Stepping back up, Amir stepped to Bolato¡¯s side, ready for the hyena to attack again.

    Narrowing its eyes, the hyena charged at the two, and Amir and Bolato ran up the stairs and into a closed off alleyway. Hidden in the darkness, they heard the hyena sniffing, trying to sense them. But it gave up looking and continued running in the streets.

    ¡°We can¡¯t let that thing get away. Damn it!¡± Bolato peered his head out, trying to see if the hyena was still around. Feeling a tapping on his shoulder, he turned to see Amir with an odd worry on his face. Beating his chest twice, Amir signalled to him that they had left someone behind.

    They had left Florato behind in the frenzy. Even if it was an accident, even if they were trying to save their lives, the fact they had left someone they care about vulnerable filled Bolato with guilt. He had to make it right.

    ¡°...damn. I¡¯ll distract the beast, you go get her!¡± Bolato didn¡¯t know if AMir would get the message, but the reassured look in his eyes assured him that he understood. The two split apart, each going to fulfill their own objectives.

    This time, they both knew they had to put it down that beast or else the ones they loved would be in danger.

 Chapter 78: A Fiery Finale! (Part 1!)

    Chapter 78: A Fiery Finale! (Part 1!)

    Racing like her very heart was on fire, Vega kept on running in the streets, barely far enough for Runtaii¡¯s attacks to miss. She had run through gardens, backyards, markets, and finally into an industrial district packed full of pipes of steam and water. For a strange reason, Vega began to feel a new and terrible sensation.

    The scarecrow was starting to feel exhausted.

    Not the type when you haven''t gone to bed in a while, but the type where everyone of your limbs feels a hundred million pounds heavier, keeping your eyes open is a herculean task, and every part of you is begging to collapse right then and there.

    Of course, Vega understood it had to do with the amount of magic she had been using. Each chance she took, she struck Runtaii hard, or used it to dash past him in a blaze of rose petals. He couldn¡¯t recover from those hits, as each blow either ripped off more armor or made him bleed even more.

    But each instance stacked the exhaustion, and now she was running low. And Runtaii could tell.

    ¡°What¡¯s wrong scarecrow!? Is this all you can do?! Fly and toss roses?¡± Runtaii didn¡¯t let up, making wide swings to cut her to shreds, and with near misses he caught her hair and the edges of her clothes. And soon with all the Snake Skins around, she wouldn¡¯t even be able to reliant.

    ¡°Damn it! I can¡¯t do anything here.¡± Skidding across the ground, Vega attempted to continue playing music, but could never find an emotional rhythm to stick to. It couldn¡¯t be triumph or sorrow, and she couldn¡¯t focus on panic. She needed to get her and Runtaii alone.

    Charging once more, Runtaii broke through the ranks of Snakes Skins and made a clearing. Her only chance, Vega slid underneath his horse and dashed to find any area where she could use the space to her advantage.

    ¡°I need¡­ calm!¡± Vega announced, noticing a staircase leading down to small street. The Snake Skins would follow them, but at least it could give her a minute to think and recover. ¡°Hey Runtaii! I¡¯m right here!¡±

    Jumping on a railing, she rode it down the staircase and took out her guitar. Getting a few strings in, Vega could feel her magic starting to pool together, with the glow growing. But she hadn¡¯t expected to see Runtaii jump from his horse and crash into her.

    The both of them clattered to the ground like a ceramic pot, breaking off pieces of each other as they did. Nothing remained of Runtaii¡¯s composure, as his armor exposed more injury and malice. And Vega¡¯s limbs split more and more, with steel fragments and wooden splitters on the street.

    And it hurt. Like no other pain before.

    Like feeling her very soul being ripped, Vega had to laugh the pain away to even compose a thought.

    ¡°Gah¡­ this-this¡­ I need to get away.¡± Seeing some pipework above her, Vega swung out her pickaxe to hand onto it.

    Just as she was going to reach it, she felt a hand on her back pulling her down to the ground.

    ¡°You want to show me how much I can take? Well then come on!¡± Face to face, Runtaii punched Vega directly in her face. Although not dealing a lot of damage, it was satisfying to finally have a grip on her, she wouldn¡¯t be getting away anymore.

    His hot breath, his burning eyes, even the drops of blood falling on her fabric skin felt like they were boiling. Vega tried to reach out for her pickaxe, but it was too far away to grab. She felt like she was soaked in water and chained to a metal ball, it was all so tiresome.

    ¡°Jeez¡­ ya breath sinks!¡± Vega dug quickly into her chest, trying to search for any object that could help her to break free. However, Runtaii scrambled to grab her arms, both of them wrestling for control.

    Kicking into his ribs, Vega used her metal leg to knock him over. He fell onto his back, holding where she had hit him.

    Vega got up for just a moment but her legs immediately gave out, falling just a few inches before the pickaxe. Having to crawl towards it, Vega pushed with everything she had left and whatever else she could give.

    ¡°How pathetic. And this is the construct Ani Arma was so adamant in researching. That somehow you would be the key for magic in mortals. But now I see what you really are.¡± Runtaii walked over Vega, and held his spear over head.

    ¡°N¡­no¡­¡± Finally managing to grip her fingers on the pickaxe, Vega struggled to even turn. Her eyes were completely closed, as if accepting this fate.

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    ¡°You¡¯re no destroyer. You¡¯re going to die a disappointment!¡± Runtaii yelled out with a smile, plunging his spear down at Vega¡¯s very head.

    ¡°NOT YET!¡± A voice cried out, as the whizzing of a dagger grabbed both of their attention. Striking deep into Runtaii¡¯s arm, he flew back as if he were hit by lightning.

    ¡°Wh¡­who was that-that?¡± Barely keeping her eyes open, Vega tilted her head to see the one that had saved her.

    Standing atop a fallen statue of an Oligarch, Skaldi held out his daggers in both hands, in fingers like claws. A gust of cool wind blew, and they felt a boost of energy and relief.

    ¡°Skaldi! Thanks buddy.¡± Vega herself up, only managing to sit up. The redhead joined her side immediately, seeing Runtaii¡¯s forces arriving not too far from them.

    ¡°No problem. Sorry, but Krimm couldn¡¯t come. She¡¯s still taking care of the fire and those damn archers. But don¡¯t worry, I think I got someone else who could help you out with your¡­ magic shit.¡± Picking her up, Skaldi struggled to run back to the statue, just as a familiar figure showed herself.

    Sheepishly stepping over the fallen statue, Sorbet looked left and right for any danger. Kaliba sat on her shoulder, soon peeking at her to be brave and approach the other two.

    ¡°Vega! Let¡¯s go, you two.¡± Waving them forward, Sorbet ran with them, seeing the amassing Snake Skins.

    ¡°Wel-welcome.¡± Kaliba cawed at Vega, just as they all began to run into an apartment complex.

    ¡°Thank-thank ya Kaliba. I think¡­ I can still pull-pull this off.¡± Vega allowed herself to rest in Skaldi¡¯s arms, never having appreciated a friend¡¯s touch more in her entire life.

    ¡°Bolato? Sorbet? Amir!? Where are you?¡± Valiato cried out, having lost them all a long time ago.

    Having been told to hide underground, she could not bear being alone for so long. Far underground, that light and sound were only echoes. Even though it was safe, she needed someone there to be with her.

    Not only this, but a calling from her heart to do something more than wait. Scouring around the immediate area, as she could find was rubble and cruelty. This wasn¡¯t the city that she was trapped in. This city would be her escape, her tomb.

    ¡°..V¡­Valiato.¡± Florato¡¯s voice was weak, she tried to yell but it was hoarse and dry. However, the kid could hear where she was and ran to find her. Ducking behind whatever she could find, she eventually found Florato face down on the ground.

    ¡°Florato, are you alright?¡± So much in shock seeing the actress¡¯s chewed and bleeding leg, Valiato was on the brink of fainting.

    ¡°Well, I t-think a big dog ripped apart my leg and an asshole wants me to be in his harem or w-whatever. So¡­ probably in my top four worst days ever.¡± Slurring her words, Florato was quite delirious. But not so delirious that she couldn¡¯t think.

    ¡°Come¡­ we have to find somewhere safe. I don¡¯t think this place is much fun.¡± Valiato looked away from her wounds and spoke softly. This wasn¡¯t some fun adventure or a gladiator match. Her friend, the closest thing she¡¯s had to mother, was hurt badly.

    Putting her head under her armpit, Valiato lifted as hard as she could. Realizing what the kid was doing, Florato pushed off the ground and as soon as she was on her feet, she leaned onto a nearby wall.

    ¡°...I don¡¯t think we can do anything. We¡¯re only some girls..¡± Going to her side, Valiato pointed out a road where they could hide in. A place where the war was only the screams of dead men instead of their corpses.

    ¡°No. We gotta go help Vega and the others.¡±

    ¡°Flo¡­ I don¡¯t think we can.¡±

    ¡°Don¡¯t say that.¡± Florato said firmly. She touched her bandaged leg and looked at her hand. There was a small trickling of blood, and she herself wasn¡¯t sure on how much they could really do.

    Just then, Valiato whimpered and hugged Florato¡¯s waist.

    ¡°Please, I¡¯m scared right now. I don¡¯t know where everyone is, I don¡¯t know what¡¯s happening, and¡­ I just want to live.¡± More scared than ever, the feeling of worry dawned on both of them.

    This wasn¡¯t just the city at stake, but what they all loved and could ever love.

    All they wanted and wished to do and be.

    That was what was at threat.

    Looking back on all their moments together, Florato thought of Valiato. On how excitable and fun she could be. This kid was something more than a friend to Florato. Like her own sister, maybe her own daughter.

    How do I reassure her? How do I make her know she¡¯s safe? Florato asked this to herself. Then she realized an answer.

    Crouching down, she held the sides of Valiato¡¯s face. Giving her best smile, Florato looked into the girl¡¯s eyes.

    ¡°Valiato, back on the ship you didn¡¯t flinch. What you did then saved us, even if it was risky.¡± Florato spoke sweetly, taking a few moments to check if there were anyone else there. Turning back, she saw Valiato¡¯s eyes widened, like the possibilities were more than running away.

    ¡°You helped us survive. You are so strong, and we need all the strength we can get. I¡¯m¡­ no fighter, but I got grit. Everyone is giving their all right now, so we have to do that too.¡± Letting go of her face and placing a hand on her shoulder, Florato wanted Valiato to know how incredible she was.

    ¡°But¡­ I¡¯m¡­I¡¯m¡­ not-¡±

    ¡°Valiato, I¡¯ve seen what you can do.¡± Interrupting her, Florato gave Valiato a rush of confidence. A confidence she definitely needed. ¡°I know you helped save Skaldi from the black powder bomb, I know you have so much potential. I¡¯ll protect you. All you have to do is use your eyes and your skill, and help out as much as you can.¡±

    There was a break of silence, and for the break everything seemed a little calmer. A little more manageable. That they could actually make an impact on this battle.

    ¡°...Can you do that for me?¡± Florato asked, coming close to Valiato. The kid¡¯s head was low, but began to rise.

    ¡°...yes¡­¡± She said, with fear in her heart, but hope in her mind. Florato smiled weakly, and came in close.

    She gave Valiato a hug. It was really nice.

    ¡°...you know I love you right? Whether you¡¯re a ghost or not.¡±

    ¡°...thank you.¡± Valiato hugged her tight, with a tear in her eyes.

    ¡°Everything is going to be alright. Now, let¡¯s go!¡±

 Chapter 78: A Fiery Finale! (Part 2!)

    Chapter 78: A Fiery Finale! (Part 2!)

    Inside the apartment complex, much of it was toppled and quiet. Whatever furniture and objects were flipped as people rushed to escape. They could all hear the commands of Runtaii outside along with the terrifying silent march of the Snake Skins.

    All of them huddled in a room, with Skaldi keeping watch as Sorbet and Kaliba looked after Vega. Since there was a mirror in the room, Vega could see clearly how much damage she had taken in the fight.

    There weren¡¯t so many splits in her seams or stitches ripped. Her skin cracked as if it were glass, with those lines shining like stars. Most of them were around her hands and her hips, where her Soul Gems were closest. The most notable one was the one on her face, going down like a stream of blood.

    ¡°Wow¡­ is this how it feels to get fuck-fucked up?¡±

    ¡°Ehh, sort of. Mostly. Yeah, totally.¡± Skaldi admitted, not wanting to fake his pain resistance. He stole one glance at Vega and he was very much alarmed. Rather, he was conflicted.

    She had managed to fight Runtaii one on one with all the Snake Skins around, and also managed to buy time for Lai to arrive. On the other hand, Vega was in great pain and peril. He understood that she was their best chance, but he wished she wasn¡¯t their only chance.

    ¡°Hey, don¡¯t move too much. It¡¯s not good for you.¡± Sorbet patted Vega¡¯s head, smoothing out her skin and hair as best she could.

    ¡°Where-where were ya this entire time?¡±

    ¡°Trying my best to be a firefighter. I¡¯m¡­ uh¡­ not so good at that.¡± Sorbet snickered, which helped Vega to laugh as well. ¡°What happened to you? Is this what normally happens to scarecrows?¡±

    ¡°Not really. Uh, I was playing my songs and was getting real-really angry. I was boosted with all this power, but when I hit Runtaii I also felt¡­ like¡­ a gigantic amount of pain.¡±

    Wincing, Vega felt another jolt of the aftershock of it. Of veins being pulled apart, bones being broken and reduced to splinters, and of her heart failing. She held onto Sorbet for a moment, letting out a few tears.

    ¡°Hey hey! It''s okay, everything is going to be alright.¡±

    ¡°...hah¡­ it¡¯s¡­ it¡¯s okay. I''m just-just¡­ tired.¡± Becoming exhausted, Vega let her eyes close and rested against her friend.

    ¡°Really? ¡­I¡¯m sorry Vega.¡± Sorbet massaged Vega¡¯s hair, which made the scarecrow a tad bit more comfortable.

    Looking out into the ongoing fires, Skaldi had one thought on his mind. A thought that contained the many people he cared about. One of them was Bolato, and his heart warmed and panged as he did. He hoped he was safe and hoped he would show himself.

    The elf hoped the soldier wouldn¡¯t become a victim.

    ¡°God¡­damn¡­it¡­¡± Bolato was growing more and more tired, not being able to deal a finishing blow on the were-hyena. Having been chased in a debilitated plaza, the were-hyena had ample enough space to charge and attack Bolato.

    Circling him like a vulture, the hyena stared down the lone soldier as if it knew how close he was to falling over. Strewn with fires and the bodies of dead Tripolian and Iozian alike, much of the ground had blood reflecting the fire¡¯s light.

    ¡°...Amir¡­Florato¡­someone¡­¡± Bolato¡¯s voice was hoarse and he was bent over slightly. His grip on his sword and shield was loosen, and his head stirred with headaches and weakness. He was cold, he was tired, and he was scared.

    He wasn¡¯t ready to die.

    What little blows they dealt only made sure that he didn¡¯t get bitten and gored. Strikes that put distance between them and the beast. Even if the beast was bleeding, it was enchanted by a terrible strength. Being clever wouldn¡¯t be enough, he needed daring.

    The were-hyena snarled once more and swiped its jaws at the edge of his shield, trying to wrestle it out of his hand. Bolato lunged and stabbed at its belly, managing to make it back off. But as it did, he realized that it had torn off half of his shield and his shoulder had been bitten.

    Oozing blood, Bolato was surprised that he could not feel any pain from it. Then he realized he couldn¡¯t feel anything from it. Even trying to raise the shield was an impossible task.

    Charging again, the were-hyena slammed its massive head against Bolato, sending him flying back into a pool of a man¡¯s blood. With specks of it in his hair and forehead, Bolato was barely able to get back up before the hyena clamped its jaws on his arm.

    Turning blue from the crushing force, his arm wrapped around its jaws. His sword flew out of his hand Bolato had to resort to grabbing the hyena.

    ¡°No no no!¡± Frantic, Bolato knew that if he didn¡¯t get its jaws off soon, he wouldn¡¯t have an arm anymore. And if he didn¡¯t get it off at all, he wouldn¡¯t have a life anymore.

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    Pushing as hard as he could, Bolato managed to slip his fingers underneath the jaw of the beast and pried with all his remaining might. Blood spilled out from his fingers, but Bolato pressed on.

    Memories flashed over him, like a tidal wave of histories. When he first joined the navy, the first man he killed, and when he deserted the force. Pain, anguish, all of it rushed back to him in a fraction of a second.

    He pushed harder, even as one of the hyena fangs dug deep in his hand, like a spike into his heart. Even as he was fighting back against this monstrous beast, even as he was making ground against, he couldn¡¯t help but to feel weak.

    To feel weak, to feel everything he wasn¡¯t and everything he had failed to do. What words he didn¡¯t say, what actions he didn¡¯t do. What a life he couldn¡¯t leave.

    The worst part, Bolato laughed sadly, was that he forgot about his love.

    To give one last I love you to Skaldi.

    Then it hit him, like a volcano in his chest. A boost of strength he never knew was there, and he began to grab the hyena¡¯s jaws with both of his hands. Even as his left was a bloody mess, he wrenched it in place and fought back with a newfound will.

    He wasn¡¯t going to die here. He wouldn¡¯t let himself. He¡¯s too good for it. Bolato wasn¡¯t going to die at the hands of some animal, at the hands of a miserable conqueror.

    ¡°I¡¯m¡­ not finished!¡± Punching the hyena, he got his arm out of its mouth and shoved it away. With his blood in its mouth, it ran directly into him. But instead of being knocked over, Bolato clasted with and held on, wrestling with the beast.

    He wasn¡¯t going to be made a victim. He wasn¡¯t going to be made to feel weak. He was going to say those words. He was going to act. And he was going to live.

    ¡°You want to kill me? You don¡¯t have the strength. You don¡¯t have the courage. And you don¡¯t have the heart!¡± His fists covered in blood, Bolato readied for the hyena.

    ¡°Valiato, now!¡± Echoing from far away, Bolato heard a crack and saw the were-hyena¡¯s skull sprinkle out some blood. He turned his head towards the voice, and saw his friends. Florato hangs onto Amir, and Valiato who swung her sling full of bullets.

    More of the cracks in the air, and the rocks broke against the hyena¡¯s head. One of them broke against its eye, and the were-hyena ran towards the three, howling in pain and rage.

    ¡°~Together, with me Florato!~¡± Pulling out their daggers, the two plunged them both into the hyena¡¯s back, sending them into a frenzy and racing around wildly. Amir pressed on, proceeding to grab the hyena and beginning to lift it off the ground in its entirety.

    ¡°Rah! We¡¯re going to live! We¡¯re going to fight! And I¡¯m going to live to say I love you to Skaldi!¡± Bolato joined, and the two strongmen heaved the beast over their shoulders and into a great fire before

    Crashing down in a smoke and burnt hairs, the were-hyena was on its last legs. Clearing its head enough to identify a target, it saw Bolato and gave one final effort to claim his life.

    Bolato didn¡¯t move a muscle, waiting for the perfect opportunity to attack. Amir and Valiato threw their javelins and rock bullets but they did not slow it down.

    Then it clicked, like a droplet in a pool of water, Bolato felt that he had to strike. He pulled back his sword arm behind his back, yelling out in a voice of sorrow and hope.

    As he swung out for his punch, Bolato felt a cool air right beside with a streak of beautiful red. He felt Skaldi¡¯s presence, like a reassurance, like a belief. His fist, his knuckles struck true and found their target.

    Bolato¡¯s fist broke the skull of the hyena, with a loud snapping sound. It fell to the ground, deader than dust. The soldier sucked in the cool air, and held his fist to the sky.

    ¡°...I love you all. And holy shit I¡¯m tired¡­¡±

    ¡°...I love ya all. And holy shit this hurt-hurts!¡± Vega groaned, the cracks all over her body shifting into a violent purple. The Soul Gems on the guitar and her hip matched the change. Skaldi could only look on, not knowing how to fix Vega.

    Only managing to comfort, Sorbet held onto Vega¡¯s hands and tried to make Vega not move too much.

    Unknown to them, Vega was having the scarecrow¡¯s equivalent to a nightmare. Well, a nightmare of memories melting together into a stew of awfulness and self doubt.

    ¡­So the opposite of a wet dream.

    When she first cried, when she realized the voice wasn¡¯t her friend, memories of when she was just a tool and were alone without anyone to help or to help her. Existential fears and personal torments, flashing together like lighting.

    Slowly, the memories faded away and Vega opened her eyes, surprised to see it was still dark out.

    ¡°...why the hell-hell do Soul Gems do this.¡± She lifted her head slightly, and Sorbet¡¯s eyes widened seeing that she was awake.

    ¡°Vega, it¡¯s okay. You¡¯re safe.¡±

    ¡°...thank you both. Again¡­¡± Weak, Vega could hardly move her eye without feeling the cracks on her body split and shake.

    ¡°...Vega¡­ do you think you can still do this?¡± Skaldi needed an answer. If there was anyone to take out Runtaii, it had to be her. No one else could do it. He kept lookout, not wanting to see if Vega would tell with her eyes.

    She didn¡¯t know. She wished she did, but she didn¡¯t. But perhaps she could find an answer.

    ¡°...Well, I kinda need to know more about these Soul Gems before we make our next move.¡± Vega looked at the guitar string, gleaming purple.

    ¡°I¡¯m sort of the only person who knows anything about, even then it''s a few factoids. I¡¯m so sorry Vega. I wish I could do so much more.¡± Guilt at what she was capable of doing, Sorbet gave a sad smile to her. Holding Vega¡¯s hand, Sorbet wished she could be stronger instead of relying on others to act for her.

    ¡°It¡¯s fine. Maybe ya could explain things¡­¡± Vega pushed Sorbet¡¯s hand awhile, and looked for where her guitar was.

    ¡°I only really stole the Soul Gem. I¡¯m not so sure I¡¯m good at explaining how it works.¡± Shrugging, Sorbet wasn¡¯t very sure on how much she could actually help. She wasn¡¯t a fighter like Skaldi, nor smart like Amir.

    ¡°Come on. Ya worked with Oligarch Tibato, ya have to know something. Plus, I kinda just¡­ want to play a little music.¡± Vega spoke as if she were vulnerable, as if this want to play music was childish.

    I mean, it was a war zone they were in, so it kinda was. But who fucking cares?

 Chapter 78: A Fiery Finale! (Part 3!)

    Chapter 78: A Fiery Finale! (Part 3!)

    Often, one might use music to set a mood or to restore hope in weakened spirits. In a turn of events, Vega was going to use it for restoring her spirits.

    ¡°So¡­ can I? I¡¯ll feel better and¡­ ya-ya can make me feel smart-smart. Please?¡± As she lay there all hurt, Vega never had seemed more vulnerable. Not wanting to disobey the person who saved her, Sorbet gave it up.

    ¡°Awww¡­ fine.¡± Sorbet nodded her head, allowing Vega to have a little indulgence.

    ¡°..play something. That¡¯d be nice.¡± Reaching out for her guitar, Vega lazily placed it on her lap. She thought of a memory far in the past, when she was a humble servant in Cold Cavern.

    The air was cool from the coast, and she felt the sun¡¯s warmth light. All of it a serene and calm glory. Her head felt lighter, as if resting on a pillow instead of Sorbet¡¯s lap.

    Memory of happy faces, of the Priest, of Mayor Dismas, of making people smile and happy when they were down. In her own weird way at least.

    Only managing to string a few chords together, Vega felt a flush of magic return to her. As the melody continued, the Soul Gem on her hip glowed and something else besides light emitted. The jar opened up, and Vega felt a great jolt of energy, as if had just drank a gallon of juice.

    Wait¡­ then that means¡­

    ¡°How the fuck-fuck do I know what juice tastes like?¡± Vega immediately stopped playing and tried to touch her animated mouth.

    ¡°Shush! What are you¡­¡± Skaldi stopped to see the magic, seeing the cracks on Vega¡¯s skin reform and sew themselves together. Plenty of them remained, but they healed themselves and stopped when Vega ceased playing.

    ¡°Oh¡­ what did you do?¡± Sorbet asked, gently pressing her finger on Vega¡¯s scars.

    ¡°I don¡¯t know-know! I was just thinking about a memory, something very comfy. And now, I feel ¡­great!¡± Giddy with newfound excitement, Vega jumped into the air. As she jumped, the Soul Gem on her hip clipped off and Sorbet dived to catch.

    Sliding on the ground with dust around her, she stared at the Soul Gem. A sunrise of green erupted around and calmed. The gem encrusted jar, and she turned it so she could see what was written on it, with the peridot gems shining.

    ¡°Rouge¡­ wait a minute.¡± Sorbet sat up on her knees as the other two gathered around to see.

    ¡°That¡¯s makeup right? Kinda wish I had that before I did that girl disguise thing.¡± Skaldi crossed his arms, speaking on the event pleasantly.

    ¡°What girl-girl disguise? What the fuck-fuck happened when I was gone-gone?¡± Vega asked, all confused.

    ¡°Uhhhhhh-¡±

    ¡°Shush Skaldi. I¡¯m thinking¡­¡± Sorbet squinted at the jar, thumbing the gems on it. As she pressed her finger on one, a crack on Vega¡¯s leg disappeared.

    ¡°Hehehe! That tickles!¡± She laughed, never having felt that strange sensation before.

    ¡°The jar? It¡¯s labeled Rouge! Rouge is sometimes made up of strawberries, maybe that could be it? That means Vega can keep fighting!¡± Sorbet announced, lifting Vega off the ground.

    ¡°What? So she can just restore her energy and health? That¡­ is incredibly busted but also really really helpful.¡± Skaldi wiped away a sweat droplet, relieved to hear the news.

    ¡°Well, not exactly. Look, look closely.¡± Sorbet put Vega on the ground, and put the jar close to her eyes.

    The tiny gems initially didn¡¯t seem to have anything wrong, but as Vega focused she could see two of the gems had fractured apart and weren¡¯t glowing as brightly as the others.

    ¡°Ah, I got-got it.¡± Vega put her fist in her hand, understanding a bit more intimately on what was happening.

    ¡°This Soul Gem is binding with Vega¡­ it''s a part of her now.¡± Sorbet told Skaldi, who gasped. Never had something like this happened before. He had heard of Spirits using Soul Gems to extend their lifetimes, but not bonding with the Souls inside.

    Vega got what Sorbet was saying, she could feel it back in the crumbling tower. Like a Soul, just as powerful and amazing as her own. Like two fires joining together, burning in unison. Separate yet together. Chaotic yet unified.

    ¡°...I use its power, it shares with me. If I take-take damage, it takes damage. And if I use a particular memory, it grants me something in relation to it.¡± Holding the Soul Gem, Vega held it to the chest.

    ¡°Hmm, maybe I am good at this whole Soul Gem explaining thing. Maybe I should steal more stuff.¡± Sorbet thought aloud. She had been used to just riding along side the party and not contributing more than questions and basking in the new world she was in. But now, she felt like she was really pulling her weight.

    ¡°Regardless, this is some pretty good news.¡± Skaldi thumped his chin, and tilted his head. ¡°Sadly, I do think that¡¯s the best we¡¯re going to get with this-¡±

    ¡°VEGA! Get your weak ass out here!¡± Runtaii screamed out, immediately giving everyone shivers. Like their names were called for execution.

    ¡°Shoot. He¡¯s here, and we still don¡¯t know if Krimm¡¯s done yet.¡± Skaldi ducked down, as Sorbet and Vega huddled behind.

    ¡°The fuck¡¯s a Krimm?¡± Sorbet asked, also all confused.

    ¡°We¡¯ll explain later. Vega, you think you can keep going?¡± Skaldi held her shoulder and looked into her eyes. His eyes looked a little scared but determined nonetheless.

    If she were honest to herself, she wasn¡¯t quite as sure since the Soul Gem and her emotions being so volatile. Vega wished not to experience so much damage and pain again. However, she took a look at her guitar, seeing that if she can hone it and focus they¡¯ll all have a chance.

    ¡°These Soul Gems are kinda con-confusing. I was thinking it might just give me some stupid face makeup. Also, I think I need to cry-cry.¡±

    ¡°You can cry later, we still need to take down that mean guy.¡±

    ¡°Promise?!¡± Vega smiled at her, hoping that she will be able to.

    ¡°Promise!¡± Sorbet patted her on the shoulder. ¡°But I think I understand what¡¯s happening to you. These Soul Gems are overloading your emotions, but if you keep on that specific emotional line, you should be fine. If you do need to switch or something, maybe focus on a particular memory to get you there.¡±

    ¡°Huh, if I get real mad-mad, it''s a speed boost. If I get real sad-sad, I make roses? What the fuck-fuck is this magic system?¡±

    ¡­Uh¡­not going to comment on that.

    ¡°Emotions aren¡¯t as simple as that Vega. I think it matters more on how¡­ you reflect on it and manifest it. Remember, you did summon hay when you got mad once.¡± Sorbet corrected, not wanting Vega to think her options were limited. Of course, she knew only slightly more about it then her, but she needed Vega to be versatile in her arsenal.

    ¡°Well¡­ no matter the circumstances, we gotta push-push through!¡± Vega held her pickaxe and her guitar high, leading Skaldi and Sorbet. Scattering into the individual parts of the apartment, each person took a position best suited for them.

    Sorbet headed to the top, where she could give intel on enemies coming in and if worse came to worse drop whatever was there onto Runtaii.

    Skaldi went to a row of windows that overlooked the street, seeing Runtaii outside with many Snake Skins beside him. The amount terrified him, making him brush his eyepatch in horror. He gritted his teeth and waited for a chance to strike.

    Having every intention to stand up to Runtaii, Vega chose to step out of the apartment¡¯s front door. Wind blew past her as dust and debris flew down the street, and she started to approach Runtaii.

    ¡°Oh good. I was thinking that you might have died from the little scuffle we had.¡± Runtaii looked at his fingernails, seeing the dirt and the blood underneath them. He felt a mild pride, so glad to prove himself a mighty warrior. ¡°But it seems like you¡¯re running out of steam, since that fool went out to save you.¡±

    A case of literary theft: this tale is not rightfully on Amazon; if you see it, report the violation.

    ¡°There isn¡¯t any-anything wrong with being saved. And ya are even a bigger fool if ya think ya could kill me.¡± Vega held the guitar and her pickaxe at her side, wondering how she should do this plan.

    ¡°Well, go right ahead. I want to see how you defeat me. How you¡­ destroy me¡­ Will you go to strike at me with that pathetic pickaxe of yours, or will you show me your magics? Go on then¡­ show me your real strength!¡±

    All she needed was Runtaii after for a little bit, that¡¯s all she needed to hatch the plan with the Snakes Skins. To give them a choice, to free them from their chains. Like she had done for herself.

    Then again, if she could attack Runtaii now, she could end it quickly. Playing music and maintaining focus enough to communicate to the Snake Skins would be a hell of a task, even if Runtaii was distracted. This would be a gamble on an idea she hadn¡¯t even tried before.

    For a moment, she went to put her guitar away. But just then, Sorbet called out to her.

    ¡°Vega! There are a ton more troops incoming! And I don¡¯t think they¡¯re friendly.¡±

    ¡°Finally! I have been waiting an hour for this. Better make your move now!¡± He raised his spear and voice at her. Be it spear or fist, Vega will die by his hand.

    What choice will she make? How will she break their chains?

    Vega knew, and searched her memory for a proper answer.

    ¡°...My friend Florato taught me a song. I¡¯m¡­ no good-good at it, but-but it sounds really pretty. I want ya to hear it.¡± Holding the end of the guitar, she pointed not at Runtaii, but at all the Snake Skins around him. Strumming her guitar, Vega tested the strings. Tuning one till it sounded correct, Vega took her time as if there was no threat.

    ¡°...what is she doing?¡± Runtaii murmured to himself.

    ¡°...you got this¡­¡± Sorbet whispered to herself.

    Skaldi looked at Vega, methodically fixing her guitar, and could sense what was to happen next. Instead of throwing any daggers or getting ready to fight, he closed his remaining eye. Using his senses power, he took away his sense of touch, smell, sight, and taste. With that, he enhanced his hearing and prepared to hear her song.

    ¡°...all of this¡­ all of it has been worth it.¡± Skaldi rested his head against the window, feeling a delicious chill come to his ears.

    Raising her left hand, everything became silent around Vega, as if the whole world was quietening down to hear her. And, like a star being born, she shot her hand down at the guitar. Strings casted a thunderous melody, with each break building up tension. An electric heartache!

    ¡°My love! The endless line! The horizon!¡± Out from the guitar strings, sprung out thin vines, dark green with thick thorns. As they grew, there was a stirring among the Snakes Skins. Like they could hear what Vega was singing. What she was singing came out and reached the deepest parts of their bodies, parts that had been chained and restrained.

    ¡°My love! The expanding line!¡± While her singing was clear, Vega¡¯s pain began to return once more. Cracks formed anew, but Vega continued to march up toward Runtaii.

    The rest of the soldiers were approaching, their feet becoming heavy drums.

    This made her nervous but she summoned herself to continue, not letting fear take her.

    ¡°But still, I can never reach it! I can never breach it!¡±

    ¡°Enough!¡± Runtaii kicked the side of his horse, and raced after Vega. His spear point gleaming, Vega only tilted her head to the side, feeling the blade glide along her face.

    A long cut formed and tufts of her hair fell, but Runtaii hadn¡¯t met his mark. Just as he was going to attack again, he noticed something off.

    ¡°...never¡­¡± A deep voice, from one of the Snake Skins. His eyes closed, and there was another. Then another. Then another. The Snake Skins, they were listening to her.

    Each of them, like being woken up from a nightmare filled sleep, jittered and shook. When they opened their eyes, relief came.

    Like taking a breath of air after being underwater for centuries. Their wounds, their bruises, they healed ever so slightly.

    And their chains, the ones Ani Arma had confined them in, they broke one by one.

    They were being set free, set free from those that believed them only to be tools, to be weapons. Now they had a choice to be heroes.

    Breaking out of their formation, the Snake Skins went to join Vega¡¯s side. Recognizing something with her song, a type of sorrow. A type of long forgotten hope, trying to reach something that was always thought to be unreachable.

    But that¡¯s the thing really, you forget that it isn''t always about completing and succeeding, but by choosing to reach out. By attempting, by giving it a shot despite the odds.

    ¡°My love! The expanding line!¡± The scarecrow sang!

    ¡°But still, I can never reach it! I can never breach it!¡± The Snake Skins sang as well!

    Joining her in singing the song, the Snakes Skins cried out with her, with the song becoming majestic in its beauty and violence. As they sang, the Soul Gems restored their health and vitality, their eyes moving and searching.

    ¡°My love. My endless love. My expanding love. It will cross wasteland and valley!¡± Vega sang, just as her heart pained. With each additional moment, her playing of the guitar grew greater and greater.

    The Snake Skins sank down and sat around Vega, now admiring all that it could sense. Their faces full of wonder and hope, a hope that was robbed from them. A hope that they would not be made slaves, the tools of evil men.

    Vega envied that look. The look a person has when all of life and experience in a singular moment was acknowledged as good and all the past was justified. But now, she had that same look on her face and achieved it.

    Chirps from the birds high in the sky added to the somber strums and strings. his head on the shoulder of Vega. In that moment, I know, there was peace made.

    All the happenings, histories, and events in her life and her friends¡¯ lives lead up to this unifying joy, therefore all that pain was worth it.

    Assembling behind Runtaii, a company of soldiers stood at the ready, prepared to hear the conqueror¡¯s orders. However, Runtaii held his words, intent on hearing this scarecrow sing. Afterall, he had never heard a scarecrow sing before.

    Much of what they were seeing was a shock. Nothing in their bearings or plans prepared them for this event. The soldiers saw the faces of the Snake Skins, as if they were a still pond showing their reflection. Murky and warped.

    The soldiers held their eyes open, amazed and awful. Awful and full of awe.

    The soldiers¡­ they felt a great sinking in their bodies. That this scarecrow, these Snake Skins, they¡¯re themselves singing from a place they had either long forgotten or were forced to forget.

    A humanity, a sentience if you will. A sentience that bonds all living things. Mortals and Spirits. The damned and the blessed. THe ghost and the citizen. The soldier and the supposed enemy.

    The soldiers realized how these boundaries are small, small enough not to really matter. But with Runtaii there, staring with violence, they would not be let to

    Sorbet stood over the ledge and could not believe what she was seeing. Vega wasn¡¯t fighting them, but was with them. In a yarn ball of sorrow, ugly yet enchanting, chaotic in its form but united in purpose. A union of vulgarity and tranquility.

    ¡°The mountains in the distant plane! The river of the far off lane. My love, the untouchable lone. But I will never be alone! ALONE!¡± As a one and yet as a community, the Snakes Skins and Vega reached out to the horizon with their souls.

    Finishing her song with a flourish, Vega staggered in place. The magic hurt a bit, but she had completed her object. And now, with the Snake Skins, they stood an actual chance.

    Clapping with his bloodied gauntlets, Runtaii laughed at Vega, not having truly noticed what she had done.

    ¡°Nice! Another damn overly sentimental song¡­ now you can die with a chorus beside you.¡± Runtaii laughed, full of pride. Raising his hand, his soldiers formed a spear and shield wall, almost seeming impregnable to Vega.

    ¡°We will be your undoing.¡± A deep voiced man announced. His body tormented by arrows with one in his throat, his voice didn¡¯t seem one bit disputed.

    ¡°...what?¡± But Runtaii was.

    ¡°Runtaii.¡± Another Snake Skin, that of a young lad that was enslaved. In his arms were two curved sabers drooping in blood and viscera. And they were raised in Runtaii.

    ¡°You have stolen our hearts.¡± Not speaking through their mouths or throats, the Snakes Skins spoke through Vega. More specifically, through the Soul Gem on her guitar.

    ¡°Our minds.¡± One more stanced up, speaking their first words that they had chosen to in decades.

    ¡°Our Souls. Turning us into ghosts.¡± Another said with misery, but took on a position of hope.

    ¡°But you haven¡¯t taken one thing that the construct has. A thing that we can all do now¡­¡± A woman spoke, with numerous cuts and wounds on her body. But her eyes did not close and she did not fear. For she had something that could not be stolen.

    ¡°Her ability to wander, and to wonder.¡± Stepping out from the apartment, Skaldi stood side by side with Vega. Stroking his hair with his left thumb, he did not care for Runtaii for one second. He and the likes of Ani Arma had brought it on themselves.

    By shouting down, by insulting and hurting Vega and everyone around them they had sealed their fate. By seeing themselves and others as mere tools had denied them a good future.

    And Runtaii hated that. That he would not discover the secrets of the magics of Runtaii and Vega. Not because he wasn¡¯t strong enough. Not because he wasn¡¯t determined to prove himself.

    He wasn¡¯t strong enough to be gentle. To be kind. To be considerate.

 Chapter 78: A Fiery Finale! (Part 4!)

    Chapter 78: A Fiery Finale! (Part 4!)

    Runtaii was a complete failure. And he didn¡¯t want to believe it.

    Gritting his teeth, Runtaii held his fist up, a signal for all the archers in his company to prepare to strike. He didn¡¯t care anymore. He didn¡¯t care if he would die, all he wanted was to burn this city to the ground and to reduce Vega and her friends into a pile of putrid ash.

    Vega and Skaldi fist pumped, ready to head for cover and to retaliate together. The Snake Skins cried as one, wanting to put a stop to their enslaver.

    ¡°Fire arrows Now!¡± Runtaii ordered by throwing his fist down. Everyone held the breaths and ducked for an instant. However, a long pause had followed it. With a few of the soldiers coughing, a thin mist past over the street from a busted water pipe.

    ¡°...uh¡­ are we dead-dead?¡± Vega tilted her head and wove her hand, asking genuinely and not to make Runtaii madder.

    Oh who am I kidding? She totally did that to make him mad.

    ¡°Shut it! Archers, now! ¡­fire arrows? What the hell, where are my a-¡±

    ¡°Archers?¡± A grim dark voice spoke, colder than a thousand winters. With a willower that was growing and a growl from a scar on her face, a figure stood in the shadow of a window.

    ¡°...who are you?¡±

    ¡°That doesn¡¯t matter. Your archers, they¡¯re either dead or have already run away. Even if you went back to your supplies, they¡¯ve all been destroyed by yours truly. No more archers, and no more flame arrows. So¡­ no matter what, you aren¡¯t burning anything anymore.¡±

    Runtaii searched for where the voice was coming from, shocked by the news. Not because she sounded scary, but she sounded like she was telling the truth.

    ¡°What¡­ no¡­ no!¡± Runtaii threw his spear at the figure, shocked to see its shadow disappear and reappear in front of him.

    Soaking in the cool moonlight, Krimm stood before the company of soldiers. The scar on her face creeped them out, along with the blood on her ax. Many of them shuttered at her sight, a traitor Assassin?

    For the ones that had families and hopes to go to, those soldiers dropped their weapons and ran off.

    Her piercing eyes glinted at the rest, and the Snake Skins soon joined her side. Of the remaining soldiers, their hearts were full of venom and hate. And they would inflict it on everyone they could. Runtaii wouldn¡¯t have it any other way, seeing the foes he was facing.

    ¡°~If there are no more archers, so be it! MEN, ATTACK!~¡± Runtaii fielded his warriors, as they yelled out and charged at Krimm and the Snake Skins.

    ¡°Vega, Skaldi! Now''s your chance! After him, now!¡± Krimm said one last sentence before getting into the battle proper. With two slices a warrior lost his arm. With one stab they lost their throat. And with three swings from her pockets, she tossed her last remaining black powder bombs at the mass of soldiers.

    FAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAATOMB!

    A spectacular explosion took the whole street, and the fighting broke out into individual duels and skirmishes among them. The Snakes Skins were outnumbered but their lack of pain and indomitable will balanced out the fight, with Krimm choosing to protect as many Snake Skins as she could.

    Dashing across whatever gaps they could find, Skaldi and Vega ran towards Runtaii. The bombs had formed canyons and trenches, ones that the two jumped over. Where the other vaulted the other was not far behind.

    One soldier prepared to stab Skaldi, but a plant pot had crashed into his head and taken him out. The two looked up to see Sorbet up on the roof, holding another pot.

    ¡°Thanks for the help-help!¡± Vega gave a quick thumbs up before continuing their approach.

    ¡°No worries and good luck!¡± She said, before throwing down whatever she could to help defend this city.

    Plunging his spear into the skull of Snake Skin, Runtaii wasted no time to deliver death. Functioning on a belief that his enemies will be destroyed, Runtaii fought on but saw the two rapidly approaching. Crouching his spear, Runtaii charged with his horse, its hooves clopping down hard.

    ¡°Kill-kill!¡± Kaliba cheered out, with a silly bloodthirsty voice.

    ¡°That¡¯s the idea!¡± Skaldi agreed, flinging two daggers out to Runtaii, aiming for his face. But the daggers went wide and only managed to scrape lines on his shoulders.

    ¡°Boost me!¡± Vega commanded, standing in place and playing her guitar. Skaldi looked at her in confusion, but saw the Soul Gem on her hip shine and pop open. She wasn¡¯t speaking to Skaldi, she was speaking to the Soul Gem.

    Focusing on a memory of energy, Vega thought of Fort Jao and the time she was chased by a bunch of drunken raiders. Stringing together a jovial melody, Vega hoped that this would be strong enough to be powerful but focused enough not to hurt her.

    In one instant, a fog of rose petals was where Vega had been. And in the next, Vega had launched herself onto Runtaii and held onto him with her legs. The song worked perfectly!

    ¡°Rahh! Damn you!¡± Runtaii winded up his fist and proceeded to punch a hole through Vega¡¯s stomach, sending trinkets and drawing flying in the wind.

    The horse was much faster than what Skaldi could run, and he gave everything he had to navigate the fiery streets they were entering.

    ¡°Vega! Hold on!¡± He called out to her, seeing the two brawling atop the horse. Skaldi took risks when he could, running over collapsing bridges and jumping over seas of fire. He would not let her be alone.

    Ridding blind, Runtaii could hardly steer his horse and the two traveled into a burning plaza with a temple spire aflame and collapsing in on itself. As they rode, the two exchanged punches to one another, each more devastating than the last.

    Opting to use both her metal and wooden arm, Vega went to a wave of hooks and jabs at Runtaii, ultimately weak by themselves but each stacked up more and more damage. Choosing to deal upper cuts and charged strikes with his right fist, Runtaii aimed for her joints. And every time he hit he felt her foundations snapping more and more.This narrative has been unlawfully taken from Royal Road. If you see it on Amazon, please report it.

    Gradually, the cracks on Vega¡¯s body grew and brightened in disturbed light. With one fierce elbow across her neck, Runtaii flung Vega to the ground as embers and ash coated Vega. The crackling of the burning temple filled her ears, and the cracking of her wooden form filled her sensation.

    ¡°You¡¯ve done something really impressive, scarecrow.¡± Runtaii hopped off from his horse and picked Vega up by the neck, squeezing as tight as he still could.

    ¡°...and-and what¡¯s that?¡± She replied, feeling his hot breath on her face.

    ¡°You¡¯ve humiliated me. I¡¯m here speaking to a god damn farming implement! And yet¡­ you still persist. Because¡­ you believe you have a choice in the matter.¡± Taking a dagger from belt, he held it just over one of her eyes.

    Starting to struggle, Vega tried to rip his fingers off of her and gave him a few more punches but none made a dent.

    ¡°You believe that your ability to live is yours¡­ when really it''s mine. You know¡­ I¡¯m starting to wonder if you have a brain inside there. I want to¡­ check.¡± Careening the dagger into her eye, Runtaii tore a hole in Vega¡¯s head. He pulled the dagger down as Vega kept trying to fight back, only to feel her seams split out and open.

    ¡°GAH! S-STOP! N-NO!¡± Shocked by the sensation, Vega felt dark chasm in her head, like there was a hole in it. Worst part was she hadn¡¯t lost any mental function, so she was in full realization of what was happening.

    ¡°What¡¯s this!? All you¡¯ve got is hay in there! How disappointing!¡± Runtaii grabbed a handful of hay and showed it to Vega¡¯s remaining eye.

    Screaming out, her eye was dripping with tears that glowed with an ephemeral power. Filled with sorrow, Vega¡¯s form disappeared from his grip. Runtaii turned around to see Vega¡¯s pickaxe covering his whole vision.

    A metal clang rang out and Runtaii groaned with his hands on his face. Her strike managed to take one of eyes, now a bloody mess.

    ¡°RAHHH! How¡­ how dare you¡­¡± Runtaii held the side of his face before letting go and stumbling to Vega.

    Vega heaved the pickaxe over her shoulder, but dropped down to one knee. Whatever energy she had stored was now truly run out. Only a droplet left, and that was being used on staying sane.

    ¡°H-how¡¯s that? ¡­now we match! Haha!¡± Her laughing was weak and Vega let the pickaxe slip out of her hands. Plenty of her head stuffing too spilled out on the burning ground.

    As Runtaii approached, he noticed something odd. Something odd from Vega.

    Out came from her head a very strange thing, one something wouldn¡¯t expect to see inside a scarecrow. A tuft. A tuft of something. A tuft of something familiar to Vega. A tuft of hair. A tuft of brown hair.

    A tuft of brown hair emitting a purple glow.

    There was a Soul Gem in Vega¡¯s head.

    Of what Soul, you might be asking?

    Well¡­ it was the Soul of Ena.

    ¡°What¡­ what is this?¡± Runtaii picked the tuft of hair, confused as to why it was there. Like discovering gold in a corpse¡¯s guts, however this is far more valuable than any ordinary gold.

    This was how Vega operated, how she lived! Not because some bizarre mental organ or none existing consciousness. But a Soul Gem, literal and explaining all that he had been witnessing from her.

    But then he realized a mild horror with this knowledge. This construct¡­ this person¡­ she wasn¡¯t born.

    She was created. Created from a Soul of a dead person.

    Vega! Vega, do you hear me? Get up! I spent¡­ too much time on you to die like this!

    The voice was an echo in Vega¡¯s head, Ani Arma¡¯s attempt to communicate with her. He didn¡¯t care much for the scarecrow, only what scientific and magical potential she had. He wouldn¡¯t allow Runtaii to survive if he destroyed the Soul Gem.

    The Soul Gem of his dead daughter.

    Please. If there was a time to listen, you listen now!

    Not being able to rise, Vega couldn¡¯t even answer if she wanted to.

    And just then, Runtaii felt a boost of strength and vitality. A few of his wounds sewed together, his bleeding weakening and ceasing. Pain remained and his eye was gone, but he only felt a little tired instead of the extreme exhaustion he had been in during this fight.

    Vega felt her Soul being used, like being turned into a bandage, stealing her agency. She tried to rise but her legs wouldn¡¯t listen.

    ¡°No¡­ sto¡­stop¡­¡± Even speaking words was exhausting, as Vega felt everything become blurrier and blurrier. And darker and darker.

    Lonelier¡­. And lonelier¡­

    ¡°...heh¡­haha! You are really something you fool. With this¡­ you won¡¯t stand a chance!¡± Runtaii clapped down at Vega, rolling his eyes while he did. ¡°Nothing can stop me now. Now¡­I shall rule!¡±

    ¡°NOT YET!¡± A person yelled out, with a fist clocking Runtaii in the face.

    Skaldi had arrived just in time, covered in soot and smoke.

    His punch sent Runtaii stumbling back, letting go of the Soul Gem from his hands. He crouched back and shook his head dazed, his vision also blurry and muddy. Grunting through his teeth, Runtaii hated being interfered with especially now.

    Skaldi would have pressed the advantage, taking a single step towards Runtaii. He was going to make him pay for everything he did today.

    ¡°...ska¡­Skaldi¡­ is that ya? I¡­ I can¡¯t see.¡± Vega whispered out, which made Skaldi¡¯s heart sink to the core of his being. He saw the state Vega was in and immediately rushed to help her.

    ¡°No no! Not again! How¡­ shit¡­¡± This was bad, Skaldi couldn¡¯t deny that even if he wanted to. He helped Vega to her feet and she had to hold onto his shoulder for support.

    ¡°Skaldi¡­ I think I agree-gree. Having one eye¡­ sucks¡­¡± Loopy from injury, Vega didn¡¯t seem to understand the gravity of the situation as well.

    ¡°Shut up! Poor thing¡­Let me¡­ shit¡­¡± Skaldi scanned the ground to grab the stuffing for her head but much of it had burned away.

    Except for the tuft of hair. He gave it one quick look and understood what it was. Gently putting it back in her head, Vega seemed to stand a little better. And her vision became not so blurry, and her thoughts became much more clear.

    ¡°Son of a¡­ if there¡¯s another god damn person who interrupts my fight with her, I¡¯m going to turn them into a horror story!¡± Runtaii stood up and saw the two standing. He was hurting and he could not fake that he hadn¡¯t been stunned by Skaldi¡¯s strike.

    ¡°Thank¡­ you¡­¡± Vega put a hand on Skaldi¡¯s shoulder, happy to see her friend. The redhead looked behind them and saw that the entire street was a sea of flames and smoke. The way they came from, nothing and no one could get past. Everything except the scaffolding for the nearby buildings and a sewer hole, was ablaze with terrible fire.

    ¡°...well¡­ guess it''s just us now.¡±

    ¡°No it¡¯s just me!¡± Runtaii roared out, stancing up and waiting for the two to come to him.

    Only capable of holding her head low, Vega searched for her gear. She saw the guitar and the pickaxe on the ground, but knew that Skaldi was going to need all the help he could get.

    ¡°...Hey Kaliba¡­ I want to let ya know that¡­¡± Vega tried to talk to her bird friend, but saw that it wasn¡¯t near her anymore. She surmised that Kaliba flew off, not able to tolerate this battle anymore. It made her feel sad¡­ ¡°Oh¡­ guess the fire was too much for ya¡­ see ya.¡±

    ¡°Vega¡­ do you think you can heal yourself again?¡± Skaldi asked, feeling his bandolier for throwing knives. All he felt was the leather and nothing more, and cold chill along his skin.

    ¡°...What?¡± She asked in fear, knowing what Skaldi was going to propose.

    ¡°Can you do it!?¡± Skaldi demanded, not because he wasn¡¯t going to fight to protect his friend. But because he needed to know that his friend was going to be okay. And that his friend hadn¡¯t given up.

    ¡°...I don¡¯t know.¡±

    ¡°Vega¡­ I need you to be safe. Fuck, I don¡¯t need you. Everyone needs you. I will buy you as much time as you need. Can you do it?!¡± Skaldi gripped Vega by the collar, fearing the answer would lead to his end.

    ¡°...ya buy me one minute¡­ I¡¯ll play my guitar and do my best¡­¡±

 Chapter 78: A Fiery Finale! (Part 5!)

    Chapter 78: A Fiery Finale! (Part 5!)

    ¡°One minute huh? Well boy, you think you can last that long against me?¡± Runtaii bumped his two fists together, making a loud thud between them.

    ¡°...can ya do it¡­ for me Skaldi?¡± Vega asked. And to be fully honest, Skaldi didn¡¯t have an answer. He wasn¡¯t sure if he was strong enough.

    ¡°...alright. Get started¡­ right now!¡± Skaldi ordered and Vega immediately went over to the guitar. Runtaii rushed towards her but Skaldi intercepted and gave Runtaii another punch to his chest.

    However his punch did nothing but to hurt himself, seeing a blue bruise form on his wrist. Skaldi knew he couldn¡¯t fight conventually, knowing that Runtaii¡¯s physical power outclassed his, and he felt scared.

    ¡°Son of a, you¡¯ll pay!¡± Skaldi wrestled with Runtaii but he was being pushed back, not able to match his strength. They binded together, with their hands clenched together and Runtaii squeezing his hands hard, making Skaldi¡¯s bones and joints ache.

    ¡°You are barely even a man, let alone a boy!¡± Runtaii swung his fist into Skaldi¡¯s side, knocking the air out of him. ¡°You¡¯re short! You¡¯re weak!¡±

    Getting her hands into place, Vega tried to get into the rhythm of a song, but the literal hole in her head was making it hard to focus. Memories blended and blurred together and it was a whirl pool of events. Vega wasn¡¯t even sure she could get her fingers to strum the guitar, let alone play a song.

    ¡°That isn¡¯t true, I¡¯ll show you!¡± Skaldi broke out of the bind and went to sweep Runtaii with a kick to his ankle. Runtaii pressed forward, making Skaldi miss his kick and causing him to trip backward.

    ¡°What is this? Was your punch luck!? Did you hurt me with blind fucking luck?!¡± Just before he hit the ground, Runtaii grabbed Skaldi by his face and lifted him an inch off the ground, then after slamming his knee into his stomach.

    Not missing a beat, Runtaii struck at Skaldi¡¯s face and his blow tore off his eyepatch, revealing his lost eye. For some reason, that gave Runtaii pause, that there was more than what he thought of this elf.

    Swinging his whole body up, Skaldi sent both of his heels and drove them in Runtaii¡¯s stomach. Having broken his grip, Skaldi backed up to build distance needing space to come up with a plan. He felt his body getting lighter, his hands held at the sides of his face.

    Runtaii held up his stomach, feeling the bruises that had and were forming. But he saw Skaldi¡¯s skin and saw how big a difference this fight was. All over his knuckles and his face were thin cuts and purple and blue wounds. Runtaii could keep going at this pace when Skaldi¡¯s body could not.

    ¡°Skaldi¡­ come on! Come Vega. Please, something!¡±

    ¡°An effeminate mess, that¡¯s what you are. Less than a woman, that¡¯s what you are¡­ You¡¯re nothing but a waste of space. A waste of manhood¡­¡±

    There. Right there. That is when Runtaii made a mistake. A mistake that would cost him dearly. A mistake that would cost him his future.

    ¡°...I am¡­ a man.¡± Skaldi announced. Not to Runtaii, not to Vega, but to himself. All his life, Skaldi had been ridiculed and talked down upon, for his body being too weak, too fragile, too puny to succeed. That he was was a waste, a failure for being born this way.

    Right there, Skaldi¡¯s motive and his heart, that¡¯s what Vega needed to focus. The raw emotion.

    He wouldn¡¯t have it anymore. He was going to be who he was. Who he needed to be, for others and himself.

    ¡°What?¡± Runtaii questioned, wondering what Skaldi was getting at.

    ¡°...I am a man. I may be small, I may be short. And yeah¡­ I¡¯m girly. I paint my nails, I like dresses. And gods curse me, I¡¯m a good person for it. This is my choice, and I won¡¯t feel bad for it. I won¡¯t let anyone talk down on me for being who I am!¡±

    Enhancing his sight, Skaldi focused on signs that Runtaii was giving. The telegraphing of his attacks, the step forward on his right foot, the pulling back of his shoulder. Each of these signs, he used it to duck and dodge just as Vega had. He didn¡¯t try to deal damage, but to simply buy time.

    When Runtaii swung, Skaldi ducked underneath and twirled around, making Runtaii even more mad that none of his punches were landing.

    ¡°You¡¯re nothing! This is nothing!¡± Roaring out, Runtaii went to strike at Skaldi¡¯s lost eye. Just then, Skaldi hooked his foot behind Runtaii¡¯s leg and pulled, causing his strike to fly off target.

    ¡°You think strength is just muscle and vigor! Don¡¯t make me laugh!¡± Skaldi jumped up and drove his shin into Runtaii¡¯s arm, feeling a snap as it hit. As the redhead was falling back, he went to his bag of hands and searched for anything else that could give him an advantage.

    ¡°Gah! How are you-¡± Runtaii raced after Skaldi but not before he took a round orb with gray gas flowing out. Throwing it at the ground, a great cloud erupted out and surrounded Runtaii, making him cough and unable to see.This story originates from a different website. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there.

    ¡°You see me and Vega as just fools. When really we are the strongest ones here!¡± From out of the smoke, Skaldi gave Runtaii a kick to his back, and he tried to return a strike but found nothing there.

    ¡°Strong? HA! You?!¡± Runtaii wrenched his arm behind and threw it wherever he could see Skaldi¡¯s shadow, but he never could hit the mark.

    Using his senses, Skaldi deprived himself of the detail of color and smell, focusing it all on generating a depth perception. He was nearly as blind as Runtaii was in the smoke, but with this he could distinguish how far he really was. This, his cunning, that was his strength.

    Finally able to capture a memory, Vega played a heroic theme, cheering Skaldi on. She thought of the memory of Skaldi and her fighting on the ship, defending their lives in their own manner.

    ¡°You think strength is just violence and hatred! When really, it''s the bonds you make with people!¡± Skaldi impacted with Runtaii¡¯s chest, driving his shoulder into it. ¡°It¡¯s not how hard you hit, it''s how hard you push!¡± Lifting his fist skyward, Skaldi uppercut Runtaii, sending him into a pure daze.

    ¡°No¡­way!¡± Runtaii couldn¡¯t believe it, that Skaldi was actually making ground against him. That this effeminate elf was actually damaging him. Runtaii felt humiliated. No¡­ Runtaii was humiliated.

    Smiling through the pain, Skaldi saw how much of a dent he was making. Laughing with pride in his heart, he knew now that he was more than what Runtaii and all the others could realize.

    ¡°I and Vega were born like this. Look at how far we¡¯ve come! We have something to prove, something to be! And that¡¯s why I guarantee you''ll never win. You¡¯re the disgrace!¡± Pointing at Runtaii, Skaldi felt how close Vega was to healing and needed a little more time for her.

    ¡°Shut up. Shut up! SHUT UP!¡± Holding his fist over head, Runtaii prepared to send Skaldi to the ground dead. But he had nothing blocking his face and Skaldi went for it, coming out of the smoke like a bat out of hell. Runtaii¡¯s fist grazed Skaldi''s face, while his elbow impacted directly into his bleeding eye wound, sending a splatter of blood and matter.

    Clutching his face in utter rage, Runtaii had to back away, giving Vega the time to finish the end of her song. Her wounds sewed together once more, with the tears on her head glowing like glass in sunshine. Looking up towards Skaldi, Vega saw how truly brave he was. His cunning, his will, and his beauty.

    His red hair messy yet blowing elegantly in the wind, his lost eye with a purple canyon around, and his remaining eye full of strength and determination.

    ¡°I am Skaldi! And I¡¯m the strongest man you¡¯ll ever face!¡± Using the last bit of his stamina, he called out Runtaii and fell down to one knee. He proved it, finally. He wasn¡¯t the failure his family, his mother and father claimed him to be. He was strong, in his own way.

    Crushing his hands into angry fists, Runtaii could not believe how he had even been pushed back, much less mortally wounded. Blood flowed down from his eye and he knew it wasn''t going to last like this. Skaldi had given everything he got, but it still infuriated Runtaii that someone like him did all of that. All of that for Vega¡¯s sake.

    Just then, a marching of troops came out from behind. From behind Runtaii. Spear points gleaming, four dozen troops appeared and Runtaii glowed with joy. And Vega held her eyes open in shock.

    ¡°Yes! Finally, some help!¡± Runtaii wandered over and his troops recoiled in horror. Seeing their leader in such a state had taken their breath.

    ¡°Lord Runtaii, is that the scarecrow you speak of?¡± An officer joined his side along with two doctors who went to fix up his wounds. He brushed them aside, knowing that it would all be pointless. Unless he took something from Vega.

    ¡°...maybe¡­ maybe if I get your Soul Gem.¡± Backing up to where his horse had been, Runtaii searched for his spear but only found his sword only used as a backup. It was now or nothing , he had to get healed and healed fast.

    ¡°Like¡­ hell I¡¯ll let you do that.¡± Vega stanced up, holding her pickaxe in one hand and her guitar on her back.

    ¡°You¡¯re assuming you¡¯ll be able to stop me. I''ll tear your head to ribbons!¡± He mounted atop his horse, ready to end this fight once and for all. Surrounded by fire and flames, Vega felt how close to death she really was.

    Congratulations Vega. Your life is truly yours. Now you¡¯re going to die here.

    ¡°...I¡¯m not finished¡­ there¡¯s¡­ still more-more to do¡­¡±

    You know¡­ I was sort of hoping you¡¯d prove me wrong. That¡­ you¡¯d be more than what I valued you as.

    ¡°...I did. I did prove ya wrong¡­¡±

    Ah. And how¡¯s that? Surrounded by fire and an army, who exactly is that?

    ¡°Because this¡­ was my-my choice. I fulfilled my purpose.¡±

    The scarecrow was ready to die, to die in order to protect this place.

    ¡°~Men, attack!~¡±

    ¡°Vega! Duck-duck!¡± Kaliba croaked out, just a horde of mercenaries appeared, launching out from the sewer hole!

    ¡°Come on boys, show them why you¡¯re worth the big bucks!¡± A tall lady ordered out, as nearly a hundred men clad in iron and red gear poured out. Vega recognized her, feeling like she had met her a couple months ago.

    Flying onto her shoulder, Kaliba nestled into her neck and Vega held her mouth agape, glad to see her friend and the mercenaries taking care of work. The tall woman stepped to Vega, with a very tired man beside her. Then, she understood who they were.

    ¡°Wait¡­ Lai-Lai?! The big tall lady? What are ya-ya doing here!?¡±

    ¡°Your crow helped us to find you. Now, shut up, plan now!¡± Lai asked, just as they heard the clopping of hooves past the battling soldiers. Mounted on his horse, Runtaii decided to finally run away. Vega knew that she couldn¡¯t let Runtaii get away, but didn¡¯t know how to catch up. Her head turned to Skaldi, and then an idea came to her.

    ¡°Umm¡­ can ya get-get me on the roof!?¡±

    ¡°I have no clue how that helps, but fine. Chakrit, get this idiot up!¡± Lady Lai demanded and joined her mercenaries in the battle.

    ¡°Aye aye Lady Lai! Let¡¯s-¡±

    ¡°Wait!¡± Skaldi held onto Chakrit¡¯s back, his voice urgent and tired. ¡°...I¡¯m going with her.¡±

    ¡°Hmph. Alright then, up we go!¡± Carrying Vega on his shoulders, Chakrit launched from whatever platforms he could. Skaldi followed close behind, narrowly avoiding the hazards The fires Runtaii and his men set were choking, bleaching black smoke all around. From pillars to scaffolding, over ledges and onto pipes, Chakrit went as high up as he could go.

    ¡°Thanks dude!¡± Vega cheered and leapt on the edge of the roof. Pulling herself up, she held out her arm for Skaldi.

    Heaving up, the two rested a second on the rooftop and opened their eyes to the great destruction. Entire neighbors and and alleyways flooded, shops and restaurants became battlefields for the armies and sewer choked up with blood. Whole streets ablaze, infernos and hellish storms were all over. Even from so high up they were illuminated in vibrant orange light.

    ¡°Where did that bastard go!?¡± Skaldi yelled, unable to discern shadow from a person in the flames.

    ¡°Look-look, over there!¡± Pointing with her axe, they found that Runtaii was using dangerous burning routes. Not sparing any more chance of combat, it seemed like he was not heeding a vague survival instinct. An instinct to escape as fast as he could.

    He couldn¡¯t be allowed to escape. Vega and Skaldi needed to change his fate.

 Chapter 79: Taste My Power! (SPECIAL!)

    Chapter 79: Taste My Power!

    Looks like Runtaii doesn¡¯t like Uvi Jantok this time of year. But there¡¯s just so much fire and misery around, who can¡¯t like it?

    Regardless, someone needed to stop him and stop him now.

    Speeding up as fast as they could, Vega and Skaldi hooped from rooftop to rooftop. From burning buildings to collapsing structures. Using the vertically to their advantage, Vega cut over streets and was rapidly catching up to Runtaii. But not fast enough.

    As if he knew the layout of the city before, he took the best shortcuts and paths towards the docks.

    ¡°Damn it! Runtaii must have planned an escape route-route or something!¡± Knowing how extensive the plans were, Vega knew that Runtaii had to have a backup plan in case shit went bad. And shit certainly went bad.

    ¡°We can¡¯t let up. Not now.¡± Skaldi told her, holding onto her hand and pulling her as he ran.

    ¡°I go-go!¡± Kaliba told and flew off once more, making Vega wonder what the bird was doing.

    His horse ran as fast as it could, with Runtaii feeling the breeze of the ocean closer and closer. He may not be able to raid the city, but he would live another day.

    The street traveled on was slightly flooded but nevertheless had fires all around. Like racing through a corridor, he saw the cranes and ships of the dockyard.

    ¡°Good luck assholes! You¡¯re nothing but doomed!¡± He proclaimed, blinded by a false courage. However, he saw figures just before him, their silhouettes illuminated by the fires of the street. Not Iozian soldiers, but four people. He didn¡¯t slow down, holding his sword at his side ready to slice.

    Just then, he heard a wizzing sound in the air. Then a rock struck his mouth!

    ¡°Gah! Son of a-¡± Unable to control his steed, Runtaii could not block the next strike. Which was Amir¡¯s full fist sending Runtaii off his horse, splashing into the water around them.

    After clattering to the ground, his horse ran off past the four. Rising just as fast as he fell, Runtaii saw that this was an ambush. Kaliba, the crow was resting atop Runtaii¡¯s shoulder. Just as soon as he came, Kaliba flew off likely to alert another fighter.

    ¡°Nice shot Valiato!¡± Florida high fived the kid, amazed by how precise the shot was. Valiato was a little impressed herself. Bolato, holding his bandaged arm, looked up to the rooftops and saw a familiar face.

    ¡°Wait¡­ is that Vega?¡± He questioned, half sure it might have been his imagination. But as she came closer, Bolato laughed seeing Skaldi alongside her. So happy that he¡¯d finally be able to see him again.

    All of them beamed a smile, glad to see Vega once more. But Amir¡¯s eyes revealed a minor worry, seeing that Vega had some of her face torn off.

    ¡°...I¡¯ll kill you!¡± Runtaii charged at Amir, thrusting his sword into his thigh. Pushing hard, Runtaii wouldn¡¯t let anyone else get in his way.

    ¡°~Amir!~¡± Valiato cried, throwing as many stones as she could at Runtaii without hitting Amir. Aiming one stone swing at his hand, Runtaii pulled out the sword with a gush of blood.

    ¡°Amir! Are you alright?¡± Florato held him in her hands, just as Valiato went to patch him up.

    ¡°~Just a flesh wound. It¡¯s normal back home.~¡± Amir joked, groaning in pain. The blood slowed but they all knew Amir wasn''t getting up anytime soon.

    ¡°Old man! You aren¡¯t stopping me any longer!¡± Runtaii went back towards the three, but Bolato gave him a heavy punch to his face.

    ¡°You wish to say that again?¡± Bolato began to wail on Runtaii, not giving him any opportunity to use his sword.

    ¡°Sure!¡± Tossing his sword over head, Runtaii dove up and slammed his elbow into the side of Bolato¡¯s head.

    ¡°We¡¯re almost there! Almost there!¡± Skaldi yelled out, with Vega and him hopping down from the roof and only a hundred feet away from them. Fires grew brighter and ever more violent around them, with buildings shattering apart and covering their path. Not missing a beat, the two ran and ran with all their might.

    ¡°You aren¡¯t stopping me!¡± Catching the sword in his off hand, Runtaii swayed and then sliced across Bolato¡¯s face. A thin spray of blood came out, as a Bolato fell back. The cut went shallow but the force knocked him out.

    ¡°No! Not now!¡± Vega took out her guitar, preparing to use the last of her remaining magic to do one last ditch effort. A final resort.

    As Runtaii prepared to plunge the sword into Bolato¡¯s chest, a shadow appeared behind him. The shadow of Krimm with Kaliba on her shoulder.

    Trying to wrench the sword away from him, Krimm ''s eyes warped and changed. Sweat dripped from her face as her veins bulged and her blood boiled. Just as she promised before, fighting back against Runtaii was against what she was as an Assassin. Through the pain, Krimm disobeyed.

    ¡°You¡­ aren¡¯t going to win!¡± Krimm said with tears in her eyes, barely able to concentrate. Pulling a dagger out, she stabbed and stabbed Runtaii¡¯s back, making him cough up blood. But the psychic pain grew too much and she could hardly even stand.

    Runtaii laughed with blood in his teeth and knocked her away, making her fall to her knees. Yet still, this delay allowed Florato a chance to attack.

    ¡°You hurt my friends.¡± Florato used her thick gauntlets to grip around his neck, crushing as much as she could. ¡°You hurt Vega! You hurt Valiato! Now you will pay!¡±

    ¡°Nnnh! Like¡­ hell!¡± Struggling to speak, Runtaii wailed on Florato but her master crafted armor protected much of her. Remembering when she had been wounded, he looked down and sent a kick to her wounded leg. The kick made her fall back, clutching her leg in pain.

    Calling out to last bits of her energy, Vega prepared to make one final gamble. A final effort to finish off this demon.

    Your friends are dead. Just like I said. Give it up. You¡¯re safe now.

    ¡°I¡¯m not letting them. They mean too much-much!¡± Vega rejected Ani Arma¡¯s proposal, feeling the tension in her Soul rise, pushing her limits and capabilities.

    Seeing her ignite with a powerful swirling wave of magic, Skaldi felt a rainbow of emotion erupting out of Vega. The song she played too was desperate, like trying to pull someone back from the edge of death. But she was losing speed, at this point she wouldn¡¯t reach them in time.

    ¡°Vega, heads up!¡± Skaldi lifted Vega by her waist and stepped atop a high pile of rubble. Aiming her like a javelin, Skaldi threw her with everything on the line.

    Flying through the air like a speeding arrow, Vega¡¯s cracks and wounds glowed a celestial beauty and guitar¡¯s music could be heard across the city.

    Hearing the rapidly approaching music, Runtaii stood there aghast at seeing Vega fighting on. Seeing how much she was glowing, he knew he had one final chance to defeat her. Now was the time to see if he was going to be more than Ani Arma!

    Now was the time to see if Vega was the destroyer she claimed to be! What Ena, Kaliber had needed her to be! Someone strong enough to be kind, strong enough to seek answers, and strong enough to prove those that wronged her that she was more than what she was built for.

    ¡°You¡¯re dead! You¡¯re mine!¡± Runtaii cried out, with his honor and life on the line.

    ¡°This is my future! This is my¡­ life!¡± Letting go of her guitar, Vega prepared to end Runtaii with one final blow. With the same intent, Runtaii held his sword to the ground, ready to slice Vega in two!

    Impacting together like a comet and sky, there was a brief flash of light. And from out of that light, everyone could see Vega in the sky, floating like a rose petal.

    Fire burned around her body, a torch in the night. Her left arm had broken clean off with her hand still holding onto the pickaxe , and her eyes were closed shut.

    The Scarecrow was dead for a moment. Until, a strange voice came from within herself. A voice. A voice.

    A voice that was Vega¡¯s very own!

    To the one who searches¡­If you spot this narrative on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation.

    Ya are enough. Ya can be so much more.

    Ya are an artist. Ya are a learner.

    Ya are a warrior. Ya are a friend.

    Ya are Chaos. Ya are Unity.

    Ya are life and death.

    Ya are the mightest, smartest, kindest, and most bestest construct of all.

    Ya are Vega the Scarecrow.

    Now show him OUR POWER!

    Out came a beam of light, Vega¡¯s eyes opened and saw she was careening towards the ground! Ripping off a piece of her fabric skin and grabbing onto her pickaxe, Vega tied the pickaxe around her broken arm and spun down to Runtaii!

    "Listen when I say!

    I swear it here today!

    I will not surrender, this life is mine!"

    Crashing down into Runtaii, Vega crushed open his chest and laid the final finishing blow.

    The Conqueror¡¯s life was over. The Scarecrow¡¯s life was just beginning.

    Rising from out the dust, Vega waved out to them with her remaining hand, with a tired yet content look on her face.

    "Ya guys miss-miss me?"

    "Vega!? WOOO!" Everyone around hugged and leaned on each other for support. Valiato patched up Amir and Florato, who laughed and smiled the brightest. They were a family of sorts, helping one another rise and stand up.

    Bolato went over to Krimm, not recognizing her but seeing that Kaliba was on her shoulder. He didn¡¯t know whether to trust her or not but saw Skaldi just a few feet away.

    ¡°Sweetie!¡± The redhead leapt into Bolato¡¯s arm, hugging him and giving as many kisses as he could in a second. Both of them had a great weight relieved off each other, glad to see each other more or less okay.

    ¡°Bolato! What happened to your arm?¡± Rubbing his shoulder, Skaldi was in shock to see how wounded Bolato was.

    ¡°Nothing, just a big dog bit me. Also bit Florato. And also-nevermind, uh what happened to you? Where¡¯s your eyepatch?¡± Brushing Skaldi¡¯s hair, Bolato was more relaxed than he had any right to be.

    But he had his femboy boyfriend by his side, so who gives a fuck?

    ¡°Uh¡­ I fell down some stairs. Besides that¡­ you alright-¡± Skaldi was interrupted because Bolato gave him a kiss on the lips. It was pretty cool. And it was pretty cute.

    ¡°I love you.¡± Bolato said softly, making Skaldi somewhat blush.

    ¡°Gods, can you fuckers get a room or something?¡± Krimm told them, massaging and stretching out. She wasn¡¯t in as high spirits as everyone else, and she also didn¡¯t know anyone else.

    ¡°Hey, who¡¯s she?¡± Florato asked, vaguely intrigued by Krimm¡¯s style and appearance.

    ¡°~Back up. She¡¯s wearing the armor of an Assassin!~¡± Amir held Valiato and Florato behind him, but Vega childishly skipped up to Krimm.

    ¡°Hey Krimm-Krimm! Ya alright?¡± Punching her playfully on the shoulder, Vega seemed in the highest spirits of them all.

    ¡°Not too bad actually. I think¡­ I think I can... live... like this.¡± Krimm closed her eyes and crossed her shoulders, enjoying the quiet for just a moment.

    ¡°Wait, what did Amir say?¡± Bolato asked, still suspicious of Krimm.

    ¡°Well¡­ I used to be an Assassin. But because of Vega¡­ I think I¡¯ll be a fairy once more.¡±

    ¡°No way¡­ you¡¯re a Fliction fairy, right? I remember the guys back home.¡± Skaldi reminisced on his history with the Galtian elves and to find a bit of comradery with Krimm, seeing they were both elves.

    ¡°What matters is that¡­ I¡¯m working on being a better person. Okay?¡± Krimm smiled slightly, making everyone except Vega mildly concerned.

    ¡°Understood. If Vega trusts you, I will.¡± Bolato nodded to Krimm and then held Skaldi tight and sat down.

    ¡°And Vega?¡± Valiato tapped her on the shoulder. Vega turned around and felt like Valiato looked off. ¡°You seem to be-¡±

    ¡°What-what is it? Do ya want to go gambling or something? We can do that-that but I kinda want to-¡±

    ¡°Your face! It¡¯s on fire!¡± Valiato yelled, seeing the smoke on Vega and a small flame on her hair. Running around like a headless chicken, Vega raced around until realized this street was flooded. Face planting into the water, she rose out and shook like a wet dog.

    ¡°WOO! Thanks for the save Valiato!¡± Giving a thumbs, Vega smiled at her. Everything had gone more or less alright. Her friends were still alive and she was ready to start a new day.

    ¡°Hold on, hold on. Your eye, let me fix it.¡± Florato walked up to Vega, seeing how her fabric and her head were still not fully stitched together.

    ¡°Oh! Yeah, I had a traumatic head injury. That shit-shit was not fun.¡± Shivering when remembering the experience, Vega then hugged Florato for comfort. The actress didn¡¯t mind and in fact enjoyed it.

    ¡°Hmmm¡­ I¡¯m glad you¡¯re back. You are so crazy and I don¡¯t think I¡¯d have you another way.¡± Florato hugged her back, careful not to hurt her head. But if she knew anything, Vega and all of them together were stronger than they realized.

    Together they were more than what they were alone.

    ¡°Damn you¡­¡±

    Croaking out, a doomed voice spoke. Everyone searched for where it came from, but Krimm was the first to see who it was. Runtaii, holding onto his chest, smiling strangely.

    ¡°Vega. You want me to finish this guy?¡± Krimm stepped onto his neck for a moment, ready to put an end to Runtaii¡¯s misery. But Vega held her hand up and so Krimm moved away.

    Normally, she didn¡¯t really care about Runtaii. However, someone was telling her to listen to him. Not necessarily herself, but another Soul. The Soul Gem on her guitar, politely asking her. Asking her to listen and to listen close.

    Standing over Runtaii, Vega waited for him to speak. His eyes were stained with blood, making a cobweb-like shape around them. He was a ghost of who he was before.

    ¡°Ani¡­ Ani Arma¡­¡±

    ¡°...What-what about him?¡±

    ¡°He¡¯s coming for you¡­ ¡± Runtaii coughed briefly, the very blood making it hard to speak. He wheezed with every breath, and yet still went on.

    ¡°Sure-sure. He¡¯ll totally attack us without the troops he needs.¡± Vega scoffed, not taking him seriously.

    ¡°He won¡¯t bring an army. He¡¯ll bring the end.¡± The words were the clearest out of everything Runtaii had said. Numbers and how much isn¡¯t what they should be worrying about. This wouldn¡¯t be a problem that¡¯d be solved by mere soldiers or armies.

    This is something you can¡¯t fight, can¡¯t argue against, and can¡¯t even bargain.

    You know he¡¯s playing you¡­ he has no clue. But at the same time. He¡¯s right.

    Ani Arma¡¯s voice, cold and sinister as ever, made Vega worried beyond belief. Beyond knowledge.

    ¡°If you could barely beat me¡­ then you won¡¯t survive him. He¡¯ll arm himself with the stars as his arrows and the sun as his armor.¡± Runtaii boasted, amazed by Ani Arma¡¯s prowess. The boast made everyone a tad more chilly, a tad more unstable.

    One year. One short year. That''s your lifetime. That¡¯s all I¡¯m giving you till I bring the end.

    ¡°No¡­¡± Bowing her head, Vega now had a timer on her mind. Not like the summarized calculations Amir had composed, but a promise. A dangerous promise. A single year, that¡¯s the timelines they had.

    ¡°What did he say?¡± Skaldi held onto Vega¡¯s arm, knowing what everyone else didn¡¯t.

    ¡°We already heard him, what are you-¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m not talking about Runtaii, not him Bolato. I¡¯m talking about the person talking to Vega.¡± Skaldi corrected, which made Valiato and Krimm quite confused.

    ¡°What do you mean? Do you mean the voice?¡± Valiato asked, still confused by Vega¡¯s abilities.

    ¡°Yeah¡­ It¡¯s the voice. It¡¯s Ani Arma.¡± Saying it like she was ashamed, Vega told them all.

    ¡°...what did he say?¡± Skaldi asked again, hoping that it would somehow be good news.

    ¡°One year. He¡¯s saying we got-got one short year. That¡¯s my lifetime¡­¡± Vega told, with everyone gasping in reaction.

    ¡°Did he really say that, brick of iron? Hahaha! Sounds like him too.¡± Runtaii laughed in pain, no longer holding onto his chest. He pushed himself slightly up to better look at them all.

    ¡­Enjoy it. Enjoy your friends. While they still exist.

    The Scarecrow couldn¡¯t let him scare them like that. He couldn¡¯t let Ani break them apart and ruin their confidence, not now. They just survived a battlefield unlike any other, she needed them to know how incredible they are.

    ¡°We won¡¯t lose.¡± Vega held out her arm, the one she replaced with her pickaxe. She held it out to the clouds overhead, not billowing with rain. ¡°Each of us has done something amazing today. I won¡¯t have-have ya talk down to us like we¡¯re weak. Because we¡¯re the strongest there is!¡±

    Looking on with a renewed hope, their faces appeared a little more brave. Their wounds are a little less terrible. And their eyes filled with a little more life.

    ¡°We won-won this fight! And we can do it again!¡± Vega proclaimed, pointing out her pickaxe to each one of her friends.

    To Kaliba the Crow.

    To Bolato the Soldier.

    To Valiato the Kid.

    To Amir the Tripolian.

    To Florato the Actress.

    To Krimm the Fairy.

    To Skaldi the Elf.

    And then she held it out to the horizon, where all the futures and friendships lie. Past, present and future. Vega and her team had pulled this off, and they were capable of so much more.

    ¡°One year, huh? That isn¡¯t my lifetime, that¡¯s yours!¡± As Vega yelled, her friends cheered out and clapped. Skaldi and Bolato held each other close. Florato housed Valiato onto her shoulders and Amir decided to join Krimm¡¯s side, silently nodding in approval.

    Today was their victory. Tomorrow, they should rest. For like¡­ a fucking while.

    ¡°Haha¡­¡± Runtaii chuckled, his breath weakening exponentially. Vega heard it, as everyone was too happy and didn¡¯t care enough to notice.

    ¡°...it¡¯s over¡­rest now.¡± Vega sat beside him, talking in a soft voice. She didn¡¯t want to disturb the mood. She just wanted him to go away.

    ¡°I died¡­ as my own man. I died¡­ by my own choice.¡± Runtaii said his final words, clinging onto his consciousness. Vega understood how much of a fool Runtaii was, knowing that he was a tool of Ani Arma¡¯s.

    ¡°No. Ya died like Sabere. Ya died believing your own lie. I lived believing my truth-truth.¡± Vega laid her hand on his chest, allowing him to experience one last comfort, of someone being by your side when you perish.

    His eyes faded, turning into a pale gray. Like a shroud of death, a thin dust gathered over Runtaii¡¯s corpse, and then swirled around Vega before heading off into the sky.

    The Scarecrow looked towards the horizon, seeing the purple night growing weak. A small bead of orange broke over it, as a new day had dawned.

    For many reasons, Vega felt very happy all of a sudden. Because she broke free from the tower. Because she helped Krimm break out of her chains. Because her friends survived. Because she helped save a city. Because she found out the truth. Because she wasn''t alone. Because she was set free.

    And a reason she found familiar, one that was from a long time ago. The scarecrow knew her purpose. She wasn¡¯t a tool. She was art.

    She closed her eyes and jumped into the air, happy because she completed a task. Tears fell from her eyes and became purple stars.

    ¡°Yay! I killed a man!¡±

 Dreamland Daze

    Dreamland Daze

    ¡°Wha¡­ what happened?¡± Echoing like in the world largest cave, Vega¡¯s voice traveled far and bounced back to her. This was an unknown circumstance to her, never having known what it was like to be asleep.

    Her eyelids weighed a hundred million tons, and she felt comfy against what she was resting on. As if sunbathing, she felt a warmth over her. In fact, she felt she was surrounded, engulfed by a plushy matter. Like a pillow.

    Or boobs.

    Vega really likes boobs.

    ¡°Florato¡­ you feel really nice¡­ I hope ya are doing alright¡­¡± Turning over and cuddling further into the material, Vega got cozy and closer to it. Afterall, its not like she was in any danger. She could relax a little, she earned it. With the day she just had, she could relax for a million centuries.

    She tried pushing her eyes open, but that was too hard to even attempt. Wherever she was, it was all too pleasant to awake from. Warmth, safety, all of it was surrounding her like a blanket. Why bother, Vega had no worries in this place.

    This place was safer than the real world.

    Go ahead. Rest. Sleep. Just¡­ let go¡­

    ¡°Whoever is saying that-that¡­ ya sound very trustworthy.¡± Yawning and stretching out, Vega took up as much space as she could, trying to absorb as much of this comfortable sensation as she could.

    It¡¯s time to rest. It¡¯s not time to awake. Don¡¯t be distressed. Now, now there is daybreak.

    ¡°...huh? ¡­wha¡­ what is¡­¡± Something in the back of Vega¡¯s mind went cold, then another and then another. Like parts of her operations were being extinguished, one by one. As easy and as quickly as blowing out a candle.

    Gripping onto what she was resting on, Vega forced her fingers to crush, attempting to wake herself up. Seconds went on, and it felt like half her head was fuzzy, dipped into a freezing pool.

    No worries. No more pain. And no more¡­ thoughts.

    Groaning in mild distress, Vega could tell something was very wrong. All of the warmth, all the joy ceased as she realized if faintly what peril she was in. As if pushing a boulder up a hill, Vega fought and wrestled to have her eyelids open.

    ¡°N¡­no¡­.no¡­¡± Whispering out, she dragged her arms to her side, jostling and pushing at her own body. Pinching and punching weakly, Vega made as much an effort to wake herself up.

    But more and more, her resistance weakened and her movements became more sluggish. Slowly chained and bound, her mind couldn¡¯t manifest any complex thoughts. Only vague feelings, comparable to tiny fireflies in a sea of dark. Then, even these flies ceased to exist.

    Vega just wanted to stay asleep. Forever.

    Vega. Get up.

    ¡°I¡¯m up!¡± Shooting up like a firework, Vega groggily sat up and massaged all over her chest and legs. Her eyes weighed a ton, but she could actually keep them open. And within the first moments of having them open, Vega immediately regretted it and wanted to keep them open for eternity.

    What she saw and where she was had nothing to do with comfort and pleasantries. And it certainly didn¡¯t exist in the real world. Vega, realizing in horror and excitement, was dreaming.

    Worlds both real and imagined flowed and meshed together like a beautiful vomit, clashing together like sulfur and flowers. Cold Cavern crashed and warped into the memories of Kaliber and Ena, their colors and histories battling. Tundras and icy forests interlocked with the mermaids¡¯ underwater sanctuary, creating a disturbing and intriguing blend of blue and strange architecture.

    Landmarks and what Vega could barely describe as cities floated on islands in the sky, the air was a violent red and maroon and it was awful.

    Full of awe and awful.

    ¡°Holy¡­wow. I¡¯m¡­¡± Unable to close her eyes for even a moment, she could hardly believe what she was seeing. Let alone that she had conjured this thing up.

    ¡°Speechless-less?¡± Another person was beside her. Turning to see it, Vega saw a shadow, rather, her own shadow with its own form. A more boyish figure, skeletal and slimy like but still a shadow that followed her.

    Looking at her shadow, she realized what she had been resting on. The closest thing to being orderly, Vega was resting on her friends. Designed like toys made of wool and felt, they had stitched smiles and buttons for eyes. Floratos and Krimms, Skaldis next to Valiatos, and Sorbets atop Amirs and Bolatos. Plush and cuddly.

    ¡°This¡­ is weird. Like even weirder than I¡¯m used to. And I¡¯ve killed people and-and kissed a nymph lady.¡± Scratching her head, Vega looked at the shadow and noticed it wasn¡¯t following her movements. Like another person was in it.

    ¡°Yeah. I don¡¯t blame ya.¡± The shadow spoke and didn¡¯t continue. Not moving from its position, Vega knew that the shadow was admiring her. As if dazzled beyond speech.

    ¡°...who are ya? Are ya¡­ me?¡± Laying her hand on her chest, Vega got to thinking on the voice that had told her to what up. She did have a voice speak to her before she defeated Runtaii. And Sorbet did say that Soul Gems might bond, bond to her very soul. Perhaps it was a facet of herself that she did not know yet.

    ¡°...uh¡­no? I¡¯m¡­ how-how do I say this¡­ I¡¯m the sort-sort of¡­ son of Kaliber?¡± The shadow spoke honestly and less composed than Vega was. Of course, Vega¡¯s personality was that of unyielding confidence, so the voice naturally seemed more timid. However, the voice seemed a little surprised, not knowing how to take this situation.

    ¡°Oh, so ya are definitely not me-me.¡±

    ¡°Definitely.¡± The shadow shrugged, not stumbling over his words as before. Hearing Vega¡¯s voice seemed to relax him, and the same for Vega.

    ¡°Sorry-sorry, I just¡­ haven¡¯t talked to anyone-one in a while.¡± He spoke sadly, crossing his arms. Vega imagined her shadow to have closed his eyes, as if remembering a memory of a person, likely Kaliber.

    Vega had to pause for a bit. Taken aback, not because the shadow was alien or foreign, but because it was so similar.This content has been unlawfully taken from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.

    The same speech pattern and impediment, the shared confusion. A key difference, Vega detected, was that this shadow spoke like he knew a lot but didn¡¯t know how to communicate. Along with a lack of confidence, which she herself was just overflowing with now.

    ¡°Hey I get-get it. Look, thanks for getting me out of whatever that was. I appreciate it.¡± Vega laid on the ground, grabbing at the plushies of all her friends. If she was going to be here, she might as well get souvenirs.

    ¡°...what are ya doing?¡±

    ¡°Getting some gifts. Ya want-want one?¡± Vega held a Skaldi in her hand, showing it to the shadow and brushing its hair.

    ¡°I don¡¯t think that¡¯s gonna work, but fine.¡± He threw his hands in the air, not wanting to bother.

    ¡°So¡­ who are ya spe-specifically?¡± Vega crouched down to her shadow, noticing that it was backing up, holding his hands up in peace.

    ¡°Hold on. Uhhh¡­ I can¡¯t really¡­ tell you yet.¡±

    ¡°Ya are literally following me and woke me up. I¡¯m tired of ya dodging the question.¡± Pressing her finger where his nose would be, Vega demanded answers. She realized that this was kinda inappropriate, but Vega still could feel the tension when she was asleep.

    ¡°Okay, okay. Calm down-down. I¡­ can¡¯t really explain here.¡± The shadow wove his hand around, not in a particular direction but more in the general vicinity.

    ¡°Why-why?¡±

    ¡°Because he¡¯s here. And he¡¯s listening.¡± His voice went quiet, as if not to elicit the one he was speaking of.

    Then it clicked. Like a lost puzzle piece. Vega wasn¡¯t sleeping and dreaming because she was so tired. She was dreaming because of Ani Arma.

    ¡°...oh¡­I see¡­¡± Vega flicked her forehead, disappointed that it took her that long to figure it out. For most of that, she was at Ani¡¯s mercy, but it was the shadow¡¯s voice that broke her out. And here she was giving him a hard time.

    ¡°No worries¡­ I knew something was off. Something-thing in the air. Speaking of which, it was a lot warmer yesterday.¡± Scratching his face, the shadow thought aloud about the heat.

    ¡°Uhhhh, yeah. Ya could say that.¡± Vega turned around, not wanting to think about it. Images of city eating fires flashed in her head, but she suppressed them as if the shadow could see them.

    ¡°By the way, did anything happen in Uvi Jantok? It¡¯s been a while since I left. Is it summer again?¡± He asked politely, more cheery that they were talking about something more pleasant.

    ¡°Define summer.¡± Vega stated, squinting at her shadow while trying to think of a good way to break the news.

    ¡°Oh, is it spring?¡±

    ¡°Totally not. Uvi Jantok was¡­ kind of set on fire by a conqueror? More specifically, an asshole tried invading it and wanted to burn-burn and raid everything.¡± Vega decided complete and impulsive honest was better. Revealing now would spare future shock.

    ¡°...oh¡­that¡¯s¡­not really good.¡± The shadow froze, horrified by what Vega had revealed to him.

    ¡°Tell me about! Here¡¯s the kicker, the guy-guy Runtaii just wasn¡¯t staying down! Had to take-take all my friends and me to take-take him down, and even then it was still hard. Geez, how inconsiderate.¡± Crossing her arms, Vega kicked a Bolato off the pile, and it fell into the bizarre land below.

    Seeing it fade and fade as it went down, she knelt down to the edge of the island, and eventually saw it disappear. Whether it be because it actually disappeared or it went out of view, Vega didn¡¯t want to find out.

    What she did want to find out was a way out for this place.

    ¡°Ya said that guy, is listening? Right now?¡± Holding a hand to the side of her face, Vega bent to her shadow and talked as if Ani Arma was right beside them.

    ¡°Uh, yep. Seems he has quite the interest in your memories. Along with your body.¡± The shadow tapped his forehead and his chest.

    ¡°Sexually?¡±

    ¡°God no!¡± If she could see the shadow, Vega would see him blush. And probably make him blush.

    ¡°Good! Welp, an exit isn¡¯t going to make itself. Let¡¯s go-go!¡± Vega waved her shadow forward as she started to navigate the dreamscape.

    Every step and movement she made was floaty, like she was a balloon full of air. The first island she climbed upon she had to swim through the air towards it.

    ¡°Hold on, Uvi Jantok was invaded?! Then-then how are ya-¡±

    ¡°Alive? Happy? Mentally sane?¡±

    ¡°Well¡­ yes. Except for that last one.¡± The shadow floated alongside her, mimicking her swimming in a more frantic fashion.

    ¡°I told ya, I killed that guy. Plus, everything was alright. All those bad-bad guys ran away when they saw Runtaii was dead. Seeing his head carried by Kaliba was pretty funny.¡±

    ¡°But¡­everything was on fire?¡± The shadow tilted its faint dark head at her, not understanding how everything was alright.

    ¡°Ya see, people still died and stuff. BUT, I found this really cool Soul Gem that makes water in the tower! And with the help-help of an Assassin, she managed to put out all the fires in a matter of¡­ two hours? I think the details are a little fuzzy.¡± Vega put a thumb on her chin, unsure of how exactly everything happened.

    ¡°...you took a Soul Gem from the tower? The one for the fountain?¡± The shadow seemed impressed, not having thought of that as a solution. ¡°Wait, then how did ya even detect?¡±

    ¡°I dunno. I just sort of¡­ listened really hard.¡± Shrugging, Vega found it hard to explain it. Afterall, all of it happened yesterday.

    ¡°...that¡¯s kind of dumb.¡±

    ¡°Hey! Come back to me when you save a city from being on fire!¡±

    Strangely, Vega had periods of weightlessness where she could fly in the air and others where she had a stronger sense of gravity of which she could walk regularly.

    As she landed on the island, she struggled to recognize it. A mesh of cold corridors and facilities, where there was no light despite how bright the sky was. What she understood, each island must be in its own style, locked and unchangeable because of the memory.

    But this memory, Vega did not remember.

    What she imagined as a study hall bended and warped into a series of waves, collapsing against a wall of grass and flowers that seemed to be in sunlight. Books and papers formed magnificent decorations as they hung in the air of the hall. And in the center of the hall appeared a doorway out.

    ¡°...think I should go-go in it?¡±

    ¡°Ya ain¡¯t got-got much choice.¡± The shadow stated, as Vega cautiously moved towards it. As she moved, she spun around in the air, not wanting to mess with the environment. But eventually her momentum stopped and she paused in the air.

    ¡°Come on! Gah¡­ I think I¡¯m stuck-stuck.¡± Vega swung her arms and legs to try and reach the waved ground but she was just barely too far enough to touch.

    ¡°Don¡¯t worry. Give it some time.¡± The shadow put his hands on his hips, laying on the waves just below Vega. They both waited, silent and awkward. The environment not helping to ease the tension, the shadow looked into a distant corner.

    She stared down at him, trying to picture the shadow¡¯s real body. But what she came up with didn¡¯t fit the voice and didn¡¯t fit the movement. And for some reason, it upset her.

    ¡°...ya said ya are the son of Kaliber.¡±

    ¡°I can¡¯t talk about here-here-¡±

    ¡°I know. I just¡­ I never¡­ I never will get to meet her.¡± Vega held her arm on her side, feeling melancholic about what happened in the Obstacles.

    Sure, she wrote it down and realized her purpose. And she was damn proud of herself and how far she had come. But she¡¯d be lying if she said there wasn¡¯t a part of her that wanted to meet Kaliber. For real, not in some manufactured memory that failed.

    ¡°Why do ya say that?¡± The shadow raised his arms up, as if to show there was a real possibility. A rhythm in voice, Vega heard, a twinge or rise in pitch told her that the shadow was lying.

    She knew he wasn¡¯t trying to hurt her feelings and appreciated it. They were pretty similar, but the qualities they differed made them appear like the sun and the moon. The shadow was a liar, but he had some oddities and kind sensibilities as herself. For that, it made her feel less alone.

    However, it did not quell her feelings.

    ¡°It''s just¡­ I have spent these past couple months hearing Kaliber and finding nothing-nothing. What have I found?¡±

    ¡°...Didn¡¯t you find yourself?¡± The shadow questioned, giving Vega a moment to reflect. They stayed there, in the twisted and warped hall. Thinking about what he proposed, Vega nodded her head. Not in the way that you agree with something, although she did. Vega did it in the way where you come to an understanding, like you really get it.

    ¡°...that¡¯s a good-good way of thinking about that¡­¡± Vega answered, giving a small smirk. And then that smirk glowed into a big smile. What he said helped to remind her of the little things. Of the pleasant and tiny victories she has made.

    ¡°...yeah-yeah?¡± The shadow asked, placing a hand on her shoulder. Clearly he hadn¡¯t done much emotional support, seeing his hand jitter and shiver. While Vega didn¡¯t feel the physical presence, but felt the emotional gesture.

    ¡°...Yeah. Thanks for that.¡± As she finished speaking, the floating ceased and she fell onto her shadow. Pushing herself up, she walked to the doorway, seeing it stand high over her.

    Gripping on the doorknob, she closed her eyes and gave it a push. Although she was asleep, she had never been more awake.

 Shadow Sweetheart (Part 1!)

    Shadow Sweetheart (Part 1!)

    It¡¯s not everyday that your shadow talks to you. And it''s not everyday that your shadow secretly has a crush on you.

    Out of the corner of her eye, Vega saw the shadow staring at her. His head bowed over and held his arm like a shy boy. As she walked through the doorway¡¯s hallway, the shadow clearly showed a greater and greater interest in her.

    ¡°...do ya want to ask me something?¡±

    ¡°Yeah-yeah! Sure-sure!¡±

    For a bit, she played it off as him being quite lonely. She understood being terribly sociable and eccentric, she had done it all her life. However, she never had been on the receiving end of it.

    ¡°So what-what do ya do for fun? Fun-fun things?¡± He tried to be all cool, faking a confidence he didn¡¯t really have, which Vega could tell immediately was fake.

    ¡°Talk-talk to my friends, play my guitar, and sometimes do illegal stuff.¡± Vega answered happily, glad someone was asking her about her interests. She didn¡¯t feel creeped out by him, but she did know the rhythm of his heart.

    ¡°Haha! Ya are so funny Vega, can ya keep talking?!¡± Like a rapid drum beat, the shadow filled any silence with questions and forced and sometimes genuine laughter. The rhythm didn¡¯t have any ups and downs, more a constant pace that the shadow wanted to keep.

    ¡°Wait, have about ya? Ya haven¡¯t told me anything about what ya like? Do ya do science stuff-stuff?¡± Tapping her forehead twice, Vega encouraged the shadow to speak on what he enjoyed doing.

    And of course, like a complete fucking coward, he dodged the question immediate.

    ¡°I, er, like-like the stuff-stuff ya like!¡±

    ¡°Sure.¡± Rolling her eyes, she knew getting a straight answer from him wasn¡¯t going to be easy, so she decided to back off.

    Exiting out of the dark, Vega covered her eyes from the toxic light of the dreamscape. Standing on an uneven, rocky surface, Vega sensed the environment had changed again. As her eyes adjusted to it, she found a place she recognized, if a bit vaguely.

    A series of seaside cliffs that formed hexagons and squares, assembling into a mesh of skyscraping height. Like the cliffs of Cold Cavern, she felt a chill, also similar to the winds of her home village.

    Except what didn¡¯t remind her of anything were these harsh cut statues of clearly differ stone than the ones for the cliffs. Where the cliffs were a calm and stormy blue the statues were a warm brown. Protruding out like barnacles on the rock, these statues shifted and scattered whenever Vega looked towards them.

    ¡°Only way to go-go is up-up. Wait, maybe I can use my guitar or pickaxe then-¡± As she reached over her back, Vega felt a distinct lack of her gear. Placing both of her hands behind, she ran around trying to see her back until giving up.

    ¡°Yeah, I don¡¯t think-think ya take your items into your dreams.¡± The shadow said all matter of fact like.

    ¡°Well according to my cAlCuLaTiOnS-¡±

    ¡°Whatever! Ya are just gonna have to work with-with what ya got.¡± Shaking his translucent dark head, the shadow gestured up to the cliffs.

    ¡°No doubt!¡± Vega cheered out, taking a few steps back and then running up and leaping onto the cliff. Falling for half a second, Vega grinded her hands and her feet against it, barely able to grab onto a few holes and cracks.

    Looking down, Vega checked out if she had been damaged. A tiny bit of her gloves and her boots scraped off, but she felt no pain.

    ¡°Whew! Glad that¡¯s over with!¡± Vega smiled and felt a wave of relief all over. She wasn¡¯t sure if it was because it was a dream or she wasn¡¯t using magic, but she was happy nonetheless.

    ¡°What¡¯s over?¡± The shadow put a hand on his chin, concerned with what she just said. This was less of an action of a crush and more of a friend wondering about her wellbeing.

    ¡°All the pain-pain. I got a huge sense of pain whenever I was using all those Soul Gem-Gems.¡± Nonchalantly saying all of this, Vega climbed up the cliff face like what had happened was a bad headache. Since she had no idea of how truly severe her pain was, she had no real means to measure it.

    ¡°Sense of pain!? How the hell did that happen?¡± The shadow attempted to shake Vega by her shoulders, but hands simply phased through her. He swapped his persona from shy boy to disturbed student in a fraction of a second.Stolen from Royal Road, this story should be reported if encountered on Amazon.

    ¡°Dunno. Magic shit.¡± She shrugged on one shoulder before continuing to climb. As she did, the statues that ran and scattered became clearer and she could tell what she was looking at.

    Distinct and exaggerated shapes, defined noses and strong hands. Like the Tripolian statues she had seen in the second tower. Still, why they were on the cliff face, she had no clue.

    ¡°Are ya really going to brush past your pain sensation!? That¡¯s big-big news. Like¡­ the biggest new-news of all time!¡± Shouting, he wanted to at least make Vega realize an inkling of its importance.

    ¡°Is it? I mean, I¡¯ve gained senses and feelings all the time these past couple months. Anger, disgust-digust, a sense of caring for myself-¡±

    ¡°Yeah that¡¯s all normal! But, a sense of pain, that¡¯s unheard of!¡± Putting his hands on the side of his head, the shadow could hardly believe it himself. However the way Vega had not even played it up was all the evidence he needed.

    ¡°Huh? Really?¡± Less dumbfounded and more mildly surprised, Vega squinted at her shadow. In fact, she just thought that everyone had that chronic pain she had experienced.

    ¡°YEAH REALLY!¡± Screeching at her, the shadow made her stumble, losing her grip for a moment. She hugged the wall and climbed back up from where she fell.

    ¡°Geez I get-get it!¡± Vega yelled, not wanting to deal with the shadow as she was climbing over an infinite abyss.

    ¡°You have no clue how significant this breakthrough is.¡± The shadow responded, both amazed and terrified of the possibilities.

    ¡°I¡¯m starting to think this is less of a dream-dream and more of a nightmare-mare.¡± Vega shook her head, just wanting to break out of this place.

    Have you ever had a nightmare so bad that you piss yourself?

    No?

    Only me?

    Fair enough.

    ¡°This pain-pain ya felt isn¡¯t normal for constructs! Shoot, it isn¡¯t normal for me.¡± The shadow poked his finger on his cheek (which one, I¡¯ll let you decide).

    ¡°Clearly, I¡¯m not normal.¡± Vega grumbled, reaching the top of the cliff. She pulled herself up and laid her back on the ground. The landscape before was an expanding tundra, filled with the same odd statues from the cliff. But now, she had noticed, the whole sky grew dark.

    Like her dream had shifted into night, full of white and red stars. A relaxing scene, still unknown and changing. And yet it was calming. Just as Vega began to admire the change in color-

    ¡°Hey, do ya think I could test ya pain sense-¡±

    ¡°I¡¯ve had enough.¡± Stomping down at her shadow, Vega held her fist to it. ¡°Can ya tell me who ya are? I might be a bit more receptive and understanding if ya explained things?¡±

    They stood there, in a cold silence. Growing tired of not having an answer, Vega knew that if she was going to get out of here, she needed all the information she could get.

    Breathing in deep, the shadow cracked his fingers and thought on how to present the information without alerting the one that was listening.

    ¡°...Alright, look-look. You remember the statue? The one back in the tower?¡± He started with an event he knew that Ani Arma couldn¡¯t have been present for.

    ¡°Yeah, I got its inscription and what it said.¡± Vega unclenched her and open her chest to show the paper.

    ¡°Yes!¡± Okay, good! Don-don¡¯t say it out loud. Just¡­ I¡¯m the part where Kaliber refers to the maker. Ya know, the construct part-parts?¡± In the single sentence, the shadow gave Vega a lot of answers. That he was a construct of Kaliber.

    Of the one who can play and one who could make it.

    Snapping her fingers, Vega laughed and her mood brightened. She couldn¡¯t care the shadow was getting annoying, he demonstrated how important he was. That he was the one in the third tower.

    ¡°I got it! Thank ya! Man, that actually puts a whole lot-lot to rest. Woo!¡± Vega sprinted forward, ready to face any of the shifting landscapes before her.

    However, she skidded in her step, still having some doubts. Afterall, she didn¡¯t quite understand the layout of the three towers. Of the Obstacles. And why the last one was in Jantok Sky.

    ¡°But wait, I have a question-question.¡± Vega slowed down in pace, keeping an eye for anything that could creep up behind her.

    ¡°About why I wasn¡¯t in the first or second tower?¡± The shadow immediately asked.

    ¡°Yeah! Would have saved me-me and everyone a bunch of time. Also a lot of people died-died, which is also bad.¡± Vega grumbled, treating their deaths like a disliked gift.

    ¡°Thing is, it was a sort of safety thing.¡±

    ¡°Safety?¡± Vega said, not before bumping her head into a statue. Stopping for a moment, she took in its visage. A petrified face with a long frown, with a tree of leaves for hair. The shape vaguely reminded her of Kaliber, although it clearly wasn¡¯t as pretty.

    ¡°Yeah, safety.¡± The shadow told as Vega passed by the statue. ¡°Third tower is being those Black walls and no one is getting through those. Too thick, too tall, and the Jantok Sky has plenty of supplies so sieging wouldn¡¯t work.¡±

    ¡°Okay, but still. Why not come to me?¡±

    ¡°A two part answer. You¡¯re assuming that we knew-knew where ya were on the continent. Iozia is a big place.¡± He wagged his finger at her, and Vega nodded in agreement.

    ¡°Fair point. But why not after I opened the first one? Isn¡¯t there some alarm thing ya guys could have done-done?¡± Vega waved her hand around in a circle, thinking of an easier and more convenient solution.

    ¡°That¡¯s¡­ a good point actually. Hold on, could we have¡­¡± This legitimately stumped the shadow causing him to fall begins Vega.

    ¡°Are¡­ are ya fucking with me?¡± Vega asked, with the most polite and sensitive voice possible.

    Vega knew that these questions were either going to get answered, or she¡¯ll answer them herself.

 Shadow Sweetheart (Part 2!)

    Shadow Sweetheart (Part 2!)

    If she were to explain her feelings right then, it would have been a soup of frustration, curiosity, and a weird liking to her shadow.

    But then again, she had to rely on him for info, so she kinda didn¡¯t have a choice.

    Her walk through this dreamed up tundra had been mired with statues of people she knew and likely never known. Of gladiators she fought, of people she saved, and of shapes that she found horrifying and enchanting. Like the deep recesses of her mind were playing a game with her.

    Although it was beautiful and ugly, the shadow that followed her was cute and annoying.

    ¡°So, what do ya mean that ya couldn¡¯t been in the first one? That might have saved a lot of people-people. Also, I have a lot of stress-stress, but that¡¯s besides the point!¡± Vega realized that either the shadow was limited in resources or incompetent. She hoped it wasn¡¯t both.

    ¡°I uh, well ya see, that¡¯s not what the first tower was for. It hadn¡¯t been built to house any Soul Gems. Because-cause it wasn¡¯t secure.¡±

    ¡° Is that the second part? The second part of the answer-answer thing?¡±

    ¡°Huh? Oh right! Second part of the answer is danger.¡±

    ¡°Danger?¡± Vega then slammed her head into another statue. This one wasn¡¯t a person, instead a nymph. More specifically, the nymph Yukos twisted into a sea snake thing. Like she was screaming in sorrow.

    ¡°Ya got to stop doing that.¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m try-trying. But please, continue.¡± Vega rubbed her face and watched the statue as she walked. She noticed that it was moving with her, she let down her guard and listened to her shadow.

    ¡°Because Soul Gems falling into the wrong hands is extremely dangerous. Any other city in the Oligarchy would have been too risky, and Uvi Jantok already has spectacular defenses.¡±Again, the shadow said it all matter of fact like. Vega sucked air through her animated teeth, feeling that he said it at the worst time possible.

    ¡°That¡¯s pretty subjective. I mean, uhhhhhhhhhhh, it only got invaded a day ago.¡± She closed her eyes and braced for verbal impact.

    ¡°Oh. Well, did the third tower get destroyed?¡± He questioned, all calm like.

    ¡°No?¡± Vega crouched to the ground, confused anticipating the shadow to not give any answers.

    ¡°Well then the plan worked! Big walls, plus ya are now magically gifted from the second!¡± He spoke quickly, keeping up the promised momentum of answers, which Vega delighted at.

    ¡°Again, fair point. Ya are good when ya are actually telling me the truth.¡± Vega giggled, giving the shadow pause. He didn¡¯t know how to react, not encountering this expression before.

    He stopped, putting his hands on his chest. The shadow took a breath, and then continued.

    ¡°Why did Kaliber make three towers? First one was a home for her. Second was for the searching one, that being you. Third was to protect me and the Soul Gems!¡± Being theatric with the presentation of the information, the shadow made this dreamland tundra far warmer and a little bit brighter.

    Still, there was something on the back of Vega¡¯s mind, a mental itch she had.

    ¡°Hold on, I thought those things couldn¡¯t be opened without a construct. Seems already pretty safe-safe.¡± Holding her chin, Vega wondered a little deeper on the intentions of the shadow.

    ¡°Ha! Perhaps if you¡¯re looking at the perspective of yourself. But from Kaliber¡¯s, she had no idea whether or not you¡¯d join Ani Arma¡¯s side or not. Ya know with him talking with ya all the time.¡± The shadow made a mocking mouth with his hand.

    ¡°Oooh! I see. A back up plan just in case I turned evil-evil.¡± Vega imagined an evil version of herself, something like the version Krimm created to taunt her. She had to admit, Krimm looked pretty cool as her.

    But still, Ani Arma wanted to use her. Vega wanted to know more about it, but it¡¯s not like he was going to tell her.

    ¡°Less evil-evil and more¡­ controlled by Ani Arma.¡± The shadow spoke cautiously, wanting Vega to have a better grasp at the idea. She wouldn¡¯t be evil, more a slave.

    ¡°Controlled? Like¡­ what he¡¯s doing here¡­¡± Freezing up, a gargantuan structure stood before her, a recent memory.

    A hodgepodge of brick and mortar, flowing in and out of one another like three rivers converging. Spinning, rotating, and bending here and there. They were all towers, the ones that Vega had explored and the one Vega had yet to.

    Wondering, Vega thought if Ani Arma knew about all of what she had seen. Was it only when he was speaking to her, it was all the time? Again, she wouldn¡¯t get an answer from him.

    Seeing the second tower once more, it gave her another question.

    ¡°Hey¡­ what was the second tower for?¡± She looked at the ground, knowing it had to involve the subject of Kaliber.

    ¡°For you. For¡­ memories that would have meant something to you. Memories of you and Kaliber and¡­ things Kaliber did.¡± His voice weakened, feeling a weight of guilt. Like he knew that he had failed her, in some aspect.

    ¡°...¡± Vega sensed that he wished something was different, but not exactly what. What is the entrance? Was it the mismanaged histories? What was the shadow thinking about?

    ¡°Did¡­ did it work?¡± He asked, like a kid asking their friend if they had fun on a niche game. Like he was afraid that Vega didn¡¯t learn anything.

    ¡°No¡­ all of it was broken. Sounds sometimes didn¡¯t work, people that we didn¡¯t see. A lot of it wasn¡¯t coherent.¡± Vega was honest, but she knew that she didn¡¯t know how to quantify the quality of it.

    ¡°...I understand. Me and Kaliber thought it was a long shot. And to be honest, we didn¡¯t have enough time to finish, let only have it built to last.¡± The shadow lagged behind her, turning to see the towers behind them.

    ¡°Huh, it really was built for me. For memories. Memories that I didn¡¯t have.¡± Vega smiled sadly, feeling bittersweet. They really were trying their best, they really did all of that for her. However it wasn¡¯t finished. A painting that was missing a few strokes. A poem without all of its words.

    Something not right. Something that shouldn¡¯t be. A hatred that smiles.

    ¡°You know¡­ the worst lesson is the one that doesn¡¯t teach anything.¡± The shadow sighed, catching up to Vega¡¯s side.

    ¡°Don¡¯t say that. It¡¯s alright.¡± She waved at him, trying to signal that it didn''t hurt her feelings.

    ¡°If I were there, I would fix everything!¡± He exclaimed, passionate and wanting to make things right. Right for his creator. Make it right for Kaliber. And make it right for Vega.

    ¡°Aww. Don¡¯t worry dude!¡± Vega giggled once more, which broke the shadow out of his stupor.

    ¡°Why? It d-didn¡¯t work!¡± The shadow stuttered out.

    ¡°Well, ya are talking to me now. Ya can tell me how to fix it. How to get those memories back!¡± Hopeful, Vega stepped into a wide stance, as if she were to hug the shadow. In her mind, she had no doubt. If she had all these magics, saved a city, and bested a conqueror, repairing the tower should be no effort.

    ¡°...Heh. Kaliber really had ya all figured out-out.¡± The shadow chuckled like a nerdy teen, actually believing Vega was going to follow through.

    The two continued on, through the dark tundra, searching for a way out.

    Vega, for the first time in her life, didn''t know how to feel about someone.

    Sure she had met cute people before, but this shadow was very different. Something¡­ more.

    Florato, being the first actual person who became her friend. Always pleasant and supportive. Having helped her to learn the guitar, Vega always felt grateful to her.The narrative has been taken without permission. Report any sightings.

    However she was far too old and she always thought of her as a close friend.

    While she was saving the mermaids, Vega liked hanging out with Ren and wanted to go see him again now that everything had calmed down. He was really sweet and was related to a nymph, so that was a plus. But again, she never thought of him beyond a friend she would meet again during a vacation.

    However, she didn¡¯t know how to consider this shadow. The one that follows her. A conflict, for being uncertain of who she wanted him to be, rather than herself.

    ¡°Ya have another question, don¡¯t ya?¡± The shadow nudged her on her shoulder.

    ¡°Haha, yeah. Ya guys had a lot of predictions, right?¡±

    ¡°Yep. Probably half of the second tower was dedicated to running tests on who ya were. I don¡¯t know-know, but ya get the picture.¡± He rolled his head, not able to gauge how much they did in preparation.

    ¡°Then you or Kaliber planned on me getting that guitar string and the fountain gem.¡± Vega pointed to her chest, feeling a great relief that their plans had went according. Sure, it meant that she wasn¡¯t so amazing, but she felt like she needed to be humbled.

    ¡°Actually only the guitar string!¡±

    ¡°Oh¡­ that¡¯s¡­ a little disappointing.¡± Vega was then humbled. She felt a little dejected. Also a little disappointed in Kaliber.

    ¡°Yeah. Hah¡­ it really fucking is.¡± He rested his head on his shoulder, feeling a bit bad for Vega.

    ¡°Don¡¯t feel sorry-sorry! It worked pretty good-good. It was actually the thing that saved the city.¡± Vega went to hold the hand of the shadow, but simply fell on her face.

    ¡°Ah, that¡¯s also-so good. Tell me, how was it?¡± The shadow held out his hand to help her up, but it again phased through her.

    ¡°It kinda really incredibly hurts. I¡¯ll get used to it though, Ya know, when people¡¯s lives aren¡¯t at stake.¡± Picking herself up and dusting off the snow, Vega shrugged. The experience wasn¡¯t exactly pleasant.

    He clicked with this tongue, and groaned in agreeance.

    ¡°Yep, I get ya. Kaliber knew how volatile the Soul Gems would be, so we planned on only giving you one to get yourself adjusted to it. Also the reason why only Spirits are able to use them. Luckily, it seems you only needed two.¡± The shadow laughed nervously, happy that their calculations were corrected.

    ¡°I kinda needed three¡­¡± Vega knew that their calculations were totally not fucking correct.

    ¡°Wow really? Shoot, I¡¯m sorry. We did consider putting extra Soul Gems in there, but we ran the numbers and you would have probably died if you did more than one!¡± Initially the shadow felt also humbled, however he spun it and told Vega the honest truth.

    ¡°What number-numbers?¡± Vega asked, not getting how they were able to calculate.

    ¡°Some test-tests! We ran based on our theoretical idea of who you¡¯d be! We knew you had to be a construct otherwise Kaliber¡¯s plan wouldn¡¯t have worked. Ya would have been made out of flexible material, anything like wood and fabric.¡± The shadow checked off each part of Vega¡¯s body. Her hair, her legs, and her patchwork skin.

    Huh. That¡¯s smart-smart. Since anything else would be too hard to move.

    ¡°I am surprised you were able to get limb replacements. By the way-way, where did ya get that third Soul Gem?¡± The shadow stared at her metal arm as he asked.

    ¡°Sorbet stole it.¡±

    ¡°A¡­ ice cream did it?¡± He looked up at her like she said something crazy.

    ¡°No-no, hahaha! My friend, whose name is Sorbet. She¡¯s actually been helping me out with this Soul Gem stuff. I know most of it are educated guesses, but Sorbet is good at those.¡±

    ¡°Fascinating! I don¡¯t want-want to keep repeating myself, but Vega, ya are quite literally off the scale!¡± The shadow had a great excitement in his voice and movements. He casted a great smile and danced on one of the statues, eclipsing the twisted form and placed a lively happiness.

    A warmth filled her heart, a type of warmth that Vega had never felt before. The one not of fire, of pain, or of passion or kindness. But of a thing she never thought possible.

    She had no words or phrases to describe it.

    Vega had been praised before, by her friends and the people she had met. Even though these compliments and amazements weren¡¯t new, it was the fact that it was coming from someone who had a means to measure her on.

    And she surpassed it. She surpassed it.

    Not because she was born this way, not because she had this power stored in her roots. Vega had earned it.

    Her shadow was laughing madly now, forgetting that Vega was even there. He overflowed with joy and hope, even in the dark landscape.

    ¡°Yep-yep, now ya get it! And when we ran the tests ya would combust into flames when encountering two operating Soul Gems!¡± The shadow said, like Vega would have any knowledge of the term.

    ¡°Operating Soul Gem? What¡¯s that?¡±

    ¡°Haha! You¡¯re funny. You know, the one it ya head?¡± The shadow relaxed, seeing the shocked look on Vega¡¯s face.

    Everything stopped. Like someone had stopped the flow of time. What did Vega hear, what made her stop in shock?

    ¡°¡­How did ya know that?¡± Vega never even thought of it.

    ¡°¡­don¡¯t ya know yet?¡± He creeped closed, trying to calm her.

    ¡°Know what? I know-know I¡¯m a construct but-¡±

    ¡°No I mean, your Soul Gem. You know about it, don¡¯t ya?¡±

    ¡°I have a Soul Gem?¡±  Now it made sense, she was a construct for a reason. Scarecrows just don¡¯t become alive without reason. Vega was attuned to magic, how did she not think about it.

    Then came a thought. A terrifying thought. Soul Gems are only made when someone special dies.

    Who was in her Soul Gem?

    ¡°Who is in my Soul Gem?¡±

    ¡°Uhhhhhhhhhhh-not going to comment.¡± The shadow turned away, suddenly becoming quite shy. In his mind, he wished Kaliber was here. He wished Kaliber was still alive.

    Wait¡­ hold on. If they are two constructs then that means¡­ wait a minute.

    ¡°Then¡­ that¡¯s it. That explains it. I have a soul. I have a Soul Gem. Do¡­ do ya know what it is? Who it is?¡±

    ¡°¡­Kaliber¡­ she wanted ya to find out.¡± The shadow told a half truth, but left out the detail Vega wanted to know.

    ¡°Ya are lying to me.¡± Vega sensed it. She felt it, through the rhythm of his movements and voice.

    ¡°I¡¯m really not-¡±

    ¡°Ya are.¡± Vega dropped to her knees, feeling a hole form inside herself. ¡°Shadow, I get why ya are.. I know ya are doing this to hide the secrets from him, but please. Please, it¡­ it hurts not knowing.¡±

    ¡°Vega¡­¡± A burning in his soul, the shadow kneeled to her level. A part of him wanted to say it, but he knew that Ani Arma would use it against her.

    ¡°Ya are lucky, because ya knew her. But me, I only have so much I can prove to myself. Please, ya are not alone. I¡­ ya are the only person who knows what it''s like to be built, not born.¡±

    With those words, the shadow felt a duty bestowed onto him. Much like the one Kaliber had given him before she left.

    He needed to deliver the truth, even if it hurt.

    After all, as he had seen many times before, the truth will set them free.

    ¡°Vega. ¡­Ya¡­Ya are-¡±

    Seems like you two are having fun.

    Like thunder out of the sky, the voice. The voice of Ani Arma arrived, crashing down. The tundra darkened even further, like it was the celestial night.

    ¡°Ya hear that?¡± Vega stood up, stanced and ready for combat.

    ¡°Yes-yes. It¡¯s him.¡± The shadow confirmed it.

    Ah, you two are having quite the play date. How sweet.

    ¡°How-how did ya do this? Why am I in this dream?¡± Vega held her fists at her side, looking up to the sky. She was scared, but she had seen it all.

    At least, that¡¯s what she believed.

    Ah. Let¡¯s just say I know you a lot more than you know yourself Vega.

    ¡°I won¡¯t let ya hurt her. We¡¯re not your tools.¡± The shadow stepped in front of her, feeling a boost of courage.

    A false courage.

    Tools? No. You¡¯re toys. Furthermore¡­

    His voice changed from coming from the sky, to less echoey. Like¡­ it was right behind them.

    The scarecrow turned around, and saw him. Not a person, not a friend, but a killer. The ultimate killer. The one that wished to make her a slave.

    His mask shined, gleaming like the moon was shining down. And it was smiling. It was smiling with hatred.

    Ani Arma hated her.

    His armor was tenfold steel, forming an upside down pyramid of pure metal. His eyes were like flaming white stars. His gauntlets sharpened into sword-like claws! The shock of his steps, an earthquake! And his voice, death!

    ¡°You¡¯re my toys. Now, let me play!¡±

 Nightmare Nowhere

    Nightmare Nowhere

    Never had Vega felt a fear so intense, so violent, and so hopeless as she did then. What words she used to describe Ani Arma¡¯s presence and form never met the mark.

    Terrible.

    Terrifying.

    Evil.

    And by all things holy, menace.

    As she backed up, Vega came up with a phrase. A phrase to properly put into terms that was Ani Arma.

    An Ultra Evil Menace.

    And this was supposed to be her creator? A killer, a man that invaded lands and even dreams? Vega wondered how she was created by this man, and for what purpose.

    Of course, she knew her own purpose, she had written it down and she had called upon it to fuel her magic. But that didn¡¯t change the fact of what Ani Arma had said to her. That he claimed and he was her creator. What did he, no, what could he have designed her for?

    The two could not be more different, more opposite, more alien and foreign to each other. Like night and day. Like the sun and moon. Like Iozians and Tripolians.

    In that despair Vega tried to find something, anything redeemable or could find herself in.

    Rigid like a metal statue and sharp, Ani Arma had designed this armor to perfection. There were no blemishes or wrinkles, not a hint of flaw or failure. While Vega herself was a hodgepodge of wood and sewn fabric along with steel replacements for lost limbs. Her face was stitched together, her hair was irregular hay. And Ani Arma¡¯s supposed hair was red chainmail, floating above him like an erupting volcano.

    Surrounding him was a hue of cold blue, a strangled blue. Each step he took Vega could feel her fibers shake. She couldn¡¯t move no matter how much screamed in her head to move. She was vulnerable, she wasn¡¯t safe.

    ¡°Ah¡­ it¡¯s so nice to see you with my own eyes¡­¡± Ani Arma was but a few inches away from her. She could feel his fiery breath and his gleaming white eyes burning into her.

    ¡°Vega! Move! What are ya-ya doing?!¡± The shadow tried to knock some sense into her, but he too eventually froze up when Ani Arma looked at him.

    ¡°...I¡­ ya a-are here. R-right here.¡± Vega stuttered out, backing up a single step. She wanted to sprint, she wanted to run as far away as she could. Yet there was some connection, some insanity inside herself that was keeping her here.

    The word Vega came up with was curiosity.

    He was here, face to face. Her creator. The one that had been talking down to her, calling her and her efforts foolish. Vega had proved him wrong, yes, but Vega now realized how sorry a mistake she had made.

    ¡°Indeed. I am here. I have to say, Vega, you have gone above and beyond my expectations. Well done.¡± Ani Arma bent down to Vega¡¯s level, and with one freezing cold hand he grabbed her hair. As he did and brought it to his face and breathed in.

    A pang of disgust struck Vega, and she couldn¡¯t take it anymore. She threw Ani Arma¡¯s hand away and proceeded to slam her fist directly into his face.

    A loud clang noise came out as she punched him, but he stood there, unfazed. Soon after he started laughing, a laugh full of heart and coughs. Like he was seeing the most pathetic being slip and fall.

    ¡°My my, you must really hate me. Ah, the feelings are mutual.¡± Ani Arma took her fist and unballed it, and examined her glove hand. As if tracing the steps of a long ago journey.

    ¡°What a-are ya doing?¡± Vega pulled her hand back, feeling a chill on it.

    ¡°Reading your palm, dumbie.¡± Ani Arma shrugged slightly, which Vega didn¡¯t know if he was joking or not.

    ¡°O-okay. Ya¡­ what are ya really doing?¡± Regaining a little composure, Vega turned on heels and looked at Ani through her hair. If he wanted to attack her, he would have done it already. At least, that''s what she hoped.

    ¡°Aww, I can¡¯t visit one of my friends? I suppose that is a bit concerning.Here¡¯s an idea, how you say, annoyances.¡± Crunching down on her neck, Ani Arma lifted her up with one hand. She tried to break out of the grip but all she got was more chuckles from him.

    ¡°Nnnh, let go-go!¡± Vega swung for his face again but her arms were too short to reach. Throwing his head back in laughter, Ani Arma let her go and dropped her to the ground.

    ¡°Really? I mean, really?¡± Crouching down to her level, Ani Arma pressed a finger on her forehead.

    ¡°Shut-shut up!¡± Vega realized how futile it all was and that Ani was doing this all to humiliate her. If he wasn¡¯t going to control her mind, he could at least get a good laugh from seeing her upset.

    ¡°Seriously, this is the thing that bested Runtaii? I know the lad went mad, seeing most of your troops get crushed by Blight Elves can do that. But seriously? I thought he¡¯d at least get to the gates, at least kill one of your friends.¡± Ani tilted his head and rested it on his knee. He breathed out a sigh, unhappy with the result of the battle.This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road. If you spot it on Amazon, please report it.

    ¡°Ya¡­ya didn¡¯t plan the attack?¡± Vega kept crawling away, looking for anything that she could use as a weapon. Still, Ani Arma didn¡¯t plan this invasion?

    ¡°Well, I planned most of it. Thing is, Runtaii decided to do it way too early. He lacked the troops and resources to do it, probably why he¡¯s rotting in a grave right now and you aren¡¯t. Regardless, you have impressed me and annoyed me.¡± Ani scratched a circle on Vega¡¯s chest, making her freeze in fear.

    ¡°W-what do ya want? I d-don¡¯t get-get it. Why me? Why me?¡± Vega closed her eyes, not wanting to look at Ani any longer. Her only escape was just to look away and imagine he wasn¡¯t there.

    ¡°Because you¡¯re a test. A more, elegant, way to describe you is that of a sketch. A sketch an artist makes before they make a wonderful painting.¡± Ani gestured with his hands wide and tall, as if he were going to paint on the very continents himself.

    Sketch. That¡¯s a word that oddly made sense to Vega. With the shadow talking about tests and numbers, she knew she was the first of her kind, outside of the shadow. But the way Ani had described solved a modest amount of puzzles that she had been asking of herself.

    She was a test. A test of a construct. The beginning of something a hell of a lot more sinister.

    Opening her eyes, she analyzed Ani Arma far more closely. At the interlocking metals, at his mask that concealed his face, and his gauntlets that were claws.

    Earlier, the shadow had said that Vega would need to be made of flexible material. Anything else wouldn¡¯t be able to move.

    A dangerous thought entered her head.

    What if Ani Arma was planning to create a new construct?

    Would she get an answer from him? Vega wasn¡¯t sure if she wanted or didn¡¯t want to find out¡­

    ¡°Vega, you have to get out of here.¡± The shadow whispered to her, as Ani had been going on a rant about art as she was thinking.

    ¡°I don¡¯t think-think I can.¡± Vega pushed herself back up, wondering if Ani had heard the shadow.

    ¡°-Think you can what?¡± He turned his gaze to her, piercing like a speeding arrow.

    ¡°T-think-thinking¡­ about¡­ why?¡± Vega clasped her hands together, feigning friendliness.

    ¡°You are a weird one. Why what?¡± Ani pointed at her, waiting for her to explain. Coming up with a random yet important question, Vega spoke.

    ¡°Why did ya talk down to me-me? Insult me¡­ Why do ya tell-¡±

    ¡°Tell you that you¡¯re useless? Because that¡¯s what you were for a long time.¡± Ani told it like it was, turning his back on her to admire the dreamscape. For how plainly he answered the question, Vega felt oddly hurt. Like that was the only option for him, to be mean and hateful.

    Yet a word prodded at her, the word were.

    ¡°Were?¡±

    ¡°Yes. Past tense. All I originally needed from you was to see if I could really do it.¡± Again, he spoke plainly, gesturing Vega to join at his side.

    ¡°Vega. Run. Please.¡± The shadow pointed back the way she came, far away that Ani wouldn¡¯t see them. But Vega didn¡¯t listen, she kept looking at Ani Arma.

    This being the only interaction that was vaguely neutral, she joined him..

    Both of them stood at the edge of the tundra, looking up at the floating islands of memories she made and didn¡¯t remember. A nearby island was full of people she had met, all currently running from a boulder with Runtaii¡¯s face on it.

    ¡°Are¡­ are my dreams norm-normal?¡± Vega sat down, sensing that Ani wasn¡¯t going to strike her again. At least, that¡¯s what she hoped.

    ¡°I don¡¯t know. I¡­ I don¡¯t dream anymore.¡± The single pause Ani Arma had made him seem a bit vulnerable. That underneath all that armor was flesh, was heart and organ. That this terrible man could be hurt, could be defeated.

    ¡°Hey¡­Do what?¡± Vega stared down at the dream void.

    ¡°Hmm?¡± Ani grunted, surprised that Vega wasn¡¯t fighting him. He half expected her to try and shove him off, but here she was talking. Like they were acquaintances rather than enemies.

    ¡°To see if I could really do it. Do what?¡± Vega mimicked his voice surprisingly well, making Ani chuckle once more.

    ¡°You¡¯re smart, you can figure that out for yourself.¡± Ani shook his head, knowing that Vega was getting very curious.

    ¡°Then¡­ what do ya need from me now?¡± Vega fell for the bait.

    ¡°You remember that Black Box, the one you gave thoughtlessly to Oligarch Tibato? That was the key to defeating me. Now it''s locked. Safely away. Out of sight. Out of mind.¡± Walking away, Ani approached one of the statues and enjoyed its strange style. Hearing Vega¡¯s footsteps, he turned his head towards her.

    ¡°W¡­why are ya telling me this? Isn¡¯t that kinda stupid?¡± Vega felt a little more insulted. That the task of bringing the Black Box was for his sake.

    But soon, Ani would make it her own.

    ¡°Haha! I suppose it is, but no! Because I want to see you fight. Fight me.¡± Ani was telling the full truth, no lies nor deception. And Vega knew that with all her heart and soul.

    ¡°Fight ya? I don¡¯t get it. Ya¡­ ya have been calling me useless all this time and now? Now I matter to ya?!¡± Vega screamed at him, upset that he was toying with her like this. That she wasn¡¯t an obstacle or a foe to defeat, but a toy.

    ¡°Ah, don¡¯t feel too bad. In fact, you should feel proud!¡± Ani¡¯s eyes glowed like warm suns, which made Vega jump in shock.

    ¡°P-proud? Are ya kidding me?¡± Vega balled her hands into fists, enraged that Ani was praising her all of a sudden. That her efforts had no meaning beyond the spectacle.

    ¡°Because of your, how you say, great labors, I want to see how far you can really go. How much of a warrior, nay, a killer you are! Initially, I thought you a slave, a servant at best. But now, I recognize you.¡± Ani placed a great flair and respect on Vega¡¯s claims. On Vega¡¯s actions. On Vega¡¯s hopes and dreams.

    Although Vega still felt hurt, she couldn¡¯t help but to feel Ani was the one who got her. Not Skaldi, not Florato, not the Shadow, but him.

    Ani Arma really knew Vega, even the smallest fraction of her, and exploited that.

    ¡°R¡­recognize?¡± Dropping his hands to her side, Vega lowered her head. On the ground, three tears feel and splattered.

    ¡°For who you claim to be. A¡­ how you say, destroyer?¡± Ani spoke as if he were promising Vega a dream. A world that was out of her imagination. Where she was who she choose.

    Vega had a question. A question of what was her Soul Gem.

    ¡°...who was I built from?¡± She asked, like a child asking for a parent.

    ¡°Hmm? Sorry, you are speaking way too quietly.¡±

    ¡°Who¡­ was I built from?¡± She asked, like a child asking for help.

    That¡¯s what she really was, underneath all those scars and tears. Underneath the animated eyes and smile, there was something universal.

    A child that was scared.

    A child that wanted to know who they were.

    A child that wanted the truth.

    A ghost of a child that wanted to be free.

    ¡°Vega, don¡¯t listen to him! He¡¯s doesn¡¯t have the answers!, No-no one has the answers except the ones ya can find.¡± The shadow gripped onto her shoulders, trying to mentally and physically shake her. But the words didn¡¯t get through.

    ¡°...please. I¡¯d¡­ I¡¯d like to know.¡± Vega stepped towards Ani, still not looking at his face.

    ¡°Vega, I-I can tell you! P-please, don¡¯t trust him!¡± The shadow had answers, but not all that Vega desired. He tried and tried and tried to make her stop, but he was only a shadow that followed her.

    ¡°Oh, are you sure? Because the truth can hurt you. Or, you could say, I can hurt you.¡± Ani¡¯s eyes glowed a mysterious purple, waiting for Vega¡¯s final answer.

    The scarecrow held out her hand, ready to accept his terms. Whatever the cost, she would have her history. She would have her memories. The scarecrow would have her life.

 Chapter 80: We Need A Break!

    Chapter 80: We Need A Break!

    ¡°Huh!? W-what, what just happened?¡± Vega jumped up from her bedroll, catching the eyes of the nurses and doctors.

    Finding herself in a vast hall, she noticed she wasn¡¯t the only one here. Stacks of bed covered behind curtains, pots of boiling water where people sanitized their tools, and hundreds of wounded people.

    ¡°Holy shit that elf wasn¡¯t lying.¡± A doctor with blood on his apron dropped his instruments at the sight of her. Many others followed suit and backed away as they noticed her.

    ¡°She¡¯s alive?!¡± A soldier pointed his crutch at her, waving it around before tripping and falling.

    ¡°Ha! I won that bet!¡± One nurse announced, cheering and whooping.

    ¡°Shut up!¡± A doctor shouted, his face red with embarrassment and not with blood.

    Swiveling her head back and forth, she noticed the various accommodations people had. Comfy looking beds and pillows, thick blankets and staff constantly watching them.

    And all Vega got was a bedroll laying on the cold floor.

    ¡°Bruh.¡± The scarecrow said. Everyone was still staring at her, not getting on or back to their work so Vega rolled her eyes and prepared.

    ¡°Oh! Sorry, didn¡¯t mean-mean to scare ya. I know it¡¯s in my name, but I didn¡¯t mean to. I¡¯m just gonna head¡­ back to bed-bed.¡± Wanting to appease the doctors, Vega laid down and threw the blanket over herself. Seeing that Vega wasn¡¯t doing anything out of the ordinary (besides her EXISTING), they continued on with their work of healing and helping.

    As she lay there, Vega¡¯s mind wandered back on the fact she was sleeping. And what she was doing whilst sleeping.

    ¡°Man¡­ that was such a weird dream-dream¡­ I didn¡¯t even know I could dream¡­¡± Vega thought about it. Then Vega thought about it some more.

    Then she realized that dream was very much real.

    Turning on her side, Vega wondered about a particular person.

    ¡°...that shadow guy was pretty cute¡­¡±

    Upon exiting the hospital which she now knew was a makeshift hospital, she saw that it had been built into the Second Tower. In fact, many of the bandages they had been using were the sterilized papers from the libraries high above.

    The doctors even gave her some bandages for her arms. They didn¡¯t really do much, but Vega appreciated the gesture.

    Earlier she had went to the front desk to get her stuff, but the worker said to fuck off. So the scarecrow fucked off.

    As she walked out of it, a large shadow loomed overhead. She didn¡¯t remember there being a shadow but what she saw reminded her of what had happened on the day of invasion.

    Much of the upper half of the tower was still frozen along the Black Wall, not moving or buckling under the stress. Every now and again more papers would fly out, looking like distant birds flying.

    Her eyes followed one of the papers as they fell closer and closer, eventually landing on a lone grave.

    Outside she noticed a small and new graveyard, around the corner of the entrance. Many people were paying their respects to the fallen, be it soldiers who died in battle or family that burned up in the fires.

    One person stood out from the folks that were mourning, a lady with black hair and long ears. Vega approached, seeing her faint emotion leaking out.

    ¡°...Krimm?¡± Laying a hand on her shoulder, Vega saw that she was actually sad. Krimm didn¡¯t move from her kneeled position, simply looking at the simple gravestone. It was that of the priest, the one Vega met before entering the tower.

    ¡°Hey¡­¡± Responding softly, Krimm only moved her eyes to see Vega¡¯s hand.

    ¡°Ya alright? Ya know this guy?¡± Vega crouched beside her, tilting her head to see her, but Krimm looked away again.

    Taking a breath, the fairy accepted what she had done, and opened her mouth slowly.

    ¡°The priest. I killed him.¡± Krimm felt a guilt seep into her head, yet another guilt lifted off. That Vega knows now, yet now she can admit her sins.

    ¡°...¡± Vega was off put, reminded of how sour and violent this world was. She didn¡¯t have words, she didn¡¯t have any words. Only thoughts, only memories of how she convinced Krimm to make a change.

    Of how Krimm was a victim, in the way of being turned into a killing machine. That her lost people drove her to this. Now she was free.

    However, an image pierced through her mind.

    The only image was the dream, the man who invaded her dream. Of Ani Arma.

    ¡°I¡¯m sorry¡­¡± Krimm¡¯s somber voice broke Vega out of her thinking, and it was clear that Krimm was grieving, grieving over a man she never bothered to care about. The author''s tale has been misappropriated; report any instances of this story on Amazon.

    Over a man she never bothered to figure out.

    Over never bothering to figure out what she wanted. That scared Vega, it scared her because of her choices in the dream. Because she held out her hand for Ani Arma, to know the truth.

    ¡°...I know¡­¡± Squeezing her shoulder, Vega scooted a little closer to Krimm. She couldn¡¯t deny that she chose to listen to Ani Arma. Just as Krimm had all that time ago.

    ¡°...I¡¯m sorry¡­¡± Krimm closed her eyes, glad to be feeling sad. A single tear hugged her cheek, and she didn¡¯t brush it away. Krimm was glad to feel something, to feel more than hatred and anger.

    ¡°....I know ya are changing. This is a good step¡­¡± Vega smiled, feeling closer to Krimm than ever before.

    The two, after paying respects to the dead, decided to walk around the city. Plenty of it was burnt, whole streets and blocks reduced to charcoal colored ruin.

    However, a glimmer of hope and reward showed itself.

    Many buildings, apartments and workshops remained, the one that Krimm had helped to protect and extinguish fires. And tons of paths and alleys were flooded with bright and clear water. When children were done helping with repairs, they often waded and played in the flooded streets, swimming and relaxing.

    ¡°So¡­how long has it been?¡± Stopping to see the kids playing, Vega popped the question. She suspected it would be, at most, a couple of hours.

    ¡°A week.¡± Krimm answered directly.

    ¡°A week?! Jeez, sorry, I didn¡¯t mean to sleep that long! I didn¡¯t know I could even do that-that.¡± Looking down at a puddle of water, Vega saw her reflection. Her head looked a hell of a lot more different, with new patches stitched on. Two of them to more precise, a nice and soft red.

    Tracing the lines of the patches, Vega admired her new look, as if she suddenly had a crazy makeover instead of her face literally being different.

    ¡°...do you like it?¡± Asking shyly, Krimm too looked at Vega¡¯s reflection.

    ¡°...It¡¯s not bad. Not baaaaad at all.¡± Vega had to admit, she looked pretty badass. ¡°Or should I say, I look-look baaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaad.¡± She snapped at the puddle, feeling a newfound pride in her appearance.

    ¡°Heh. Glad you¡¯re taking it well. It was actually Skaldi who did it. Took some of your own clothes and refitted them on you.¡± Krimm still felt weird about saying Skaldi¡¯s name, not exactly friendly with him yet.

    But that wasn¡¯t what made Vega confused.

    ¡°Skaldi knows how to sew-sew?¡± Vega didn¡¯t believe it, the thought of Skaldi doing that to her seemed a little too hard to believe. She wouldn¡¯t question it if it was Sorbet or Valiato or Florato. But it was Skaldi, so she wanted proof.

    ¡°Yeah. He¡¯s gay.¡± That was Krimm¡¯s proof.

    ¡°Now that¡¯s just a homophobic stereotype.¡± Vega wagged her finger at Krimm, as if she were a kid that said something mean.

    ¡°Bitch I¡¯m gay too.¡± Crossing her arms, Krimm responded with the heaviest amount of sass possible.

    ¡°Point taken.¡± Beaten in this verbal spar, Vega shrugged and they continued on their way.

    Since most of the city was in a state of disrepair, Vega and Krimm took to climbing and jumping across rooftops, with most of them not being touch by the fires. When they did encounter a block that was decimated, they simple balanced on the pipe works and scaffolding all around.

    From this high up, Vega could see multiple masses of people marching up to the Black Gate. Even from that distance, she could tell there were thousands of people ready to riot. The Cloud District was the least touched, but it was also stuffed with people that had recently lost their homes.

    Often seeing below them, they saw droves of the Lai Family troops. Acting as peacekeeping forces, they delivered food and supplies for rebuilding. Since a majority of the watchmen either retreated inside Jantok Sky or stayed to enforce order, the Lai Family saw this as a chance to grab up power in the city itself.

    As for what else they were doing, they were processing and interrogating the captured Tripolian soldiers. Treating it like a series of business deals, the soldiers and officers of the Lai Family secured key plans and info about their numbers on the Isle of the Blight Elves.

    Vega saw nearby by a fortress a more minor interrogation.

    ¡°This is your entire force? A little¡­ disappointing.¡± A Lai Family watchman gestured to a row of bound men, with their equipment stripped. He seemed a little surprised, seeing that many of them had injuries not related to the invasion.

    ¡°Yes¡­ yes¡­ Blight Elves¡­ they destroyed. Lost much¡­¡± The Tripolian officer tied to the chair didn¡¯t know much Iozian, so he told it as simply as he could.

    ¡°Hmmm¡­ tell you what. Give me the details of how many men you got on the island and we make you a frontier centurion. Sounds good?¡± The watchman was obviously lying, but he flashed a gold coin in his hand, catching the officer¡¯s attention.

    ¡°Yes? Yes! Yes I will!¡± The officer smiled brightly, ready to tell everything. And this was similar to the other efforts done by the Lai Family. Marketplaces turned to soup kitchens, parks became holding cells, and they made the city their own burnt backyard.

    Getting close to the First Tower, Vega felt almost nostalgic. It wasn¡¯t too long ago since she got into the city, and now it had changed so much. Or rather, the city and the events that took place changed her.

    Physically, emotionally, and spiritually.

    Vega felt nearly whole, with a greater sense of self and purpose. The scarecrow got a lot of answers and a few more questions. And she got a lot more friends, a little less foes.

    The Scarecrow felt almost complete, but there was still work to be done.

    Sliding down the roof, Vega and Krimm landed on the street leading up to the tower. As they walked to it, Krimm stopped and looked up to the roof.

    ¡°Hey.¡± She said, calling her to stop.

    ¡°Yeah? What¡¯s up?¡± Vega knew Krimm had another thing to tell, likely something when she was still an Assassin.

    ¡°I saw you on the roof of the tower. I saw you talking with the blonde lady. I saw you singing to yourself. At night.¡± Krimm walked over to her, still looking at the roof. Noticing the fluttering in her eyes, Vega sensed that she needed something off her chest.

    ¡°...and ya felt alone?¡±

    ¡°Yeah. I think I¡¯ve told you that a million times.¡± Stretching out her arms, Krimm reminisced on how rocky Vega and her first meeting was.

    ¡°Hahaha, it was a loud of shouting. But no, I get it. I am pret-pretty to look at. Now, ya get to see me-me up close-close.¡± Vega held onto Krimm¡¯s hand, which Krimm¡¯s eyes opened wide, shocked at the gesture. Not insulted, but having forgotten what it was like to feel happy.

    ¡°...hmm¡­ I¡¯m glad you¡¯re my friend. Or sister? God¡­ that feels weird to say.¡± Rolling her eyes, Krimm followed Vega as they went to the door of the tower.

    ¡°I like-like sister more, buuuuuuuuut-¡±

    ¡°You¡¯re right, sister is cool.¡± As she was pushing open the door, Krimm smiled genuinely, again shocked that she was happy. Amazing? no. Content with how things turned out? Absolutely.

    As the door opened, the two saw everything that they had fought for. For friends, for the people they loved. And for the people they both wished to become.

    The Scarecrow and the Fairy were home.

 Upload Anniversary!

    Hello everyone, Century Robot here.

    This is another celebration thingy and where I flaunt my meager achievements so I can feel proud of myself.

    Firstly, today is the anniversary of the first chapter upload of Vega of the Wastes! WOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!

    Again, it was only over a year ago since I''ve started to write this thing, and I am so glad that you guys are reading and enjoying it enough to follow.This story has been taken without authorization. Report any sightings.

    Secondly, the story has hit over 30,000 thousand views! WOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!

    That''s also pretty cool and I also couldn''t have done it without you guys.

    And since this story is going to end relatively soon...

    I want to show you a glimpse of what''s coming next...

 School Break

    Sup fellas, Century Robot here.

    Right now is finals week for me at College. It¡¯s going to absolutely blow, and I kinda don¡¯t have any time to do much writing.Stolen novel; please report.

    I¡¯ll be taking a brief one week break, and returning on the 16th!

    This shouldn¡¯t be too long and allows me to catch up on some stuff.

    I hope you guys have a good rest of your year. And if you¡¯ll excuse me, I got a million tests to study for!

    Remember, the best is yet to come!

 Chapter 81: A Bittersweet Farewell (Part 1!)

    Chapter 81: A Bittersweet Farewell (Part 1!)

    All good things must come to an end, and all evils will die.

    But good things can come back, and all evils can return and arise.

    Vega could feel it. The rhythm that surrounds tense situations, not of battles and arguments, but of friends getting ready. Getting ready for what, Vega did not yet know.

    ¡°Vega! You¡¯re okay!¡± Valiato was the first to go up to Vega, lifting her up in a hug. Even though it had only been a week, Vega noticed a number of changes on the girl, like her eyes being tired like Amir¡¯s and her looking ever so taller.

    ¡°Face-face.¡± A cawing from across the room, Kaliba flew on top of Vega¡¯s head and pecked her face.

    ¡°Bruh.¡± Krimm said, a pit of embarrassment forming in her soul.

    ¡°Kaliba! Valiato! How¡¯s it going my home slice bread slice dawg?¡± The scarecrow proceeded to dap up the crow and kid. It was pretty tight.

    ¡°Good.¡± Kaliba croaked, landing on top of Vega¡¯s head.

    ¡°Not too bad. The nightmares are gone now!¡± Valiato exclaimed

    ¡°Good to hear. I had a nightmare once. It, uhh, had a shad-shadow in it or something.¡± Vega tapped her chin and carried Kaliba off her head.

    Even in the middle of the day, everyone else seemed to be in a state of grogginess, like they just woke up not too long ago.

    ¡°Vega. You¡¯re here.¡± Florato said with a mild amount of surprise. She rose up from the bags Amir was packing and gave her a quick hug.

    ¡°Indeed. Is the leg okay?¡± Squatting, she stared at the many bandages around her calf. The actress shrugged, happy to have received help regardless.

    ¡°Ehh, could be better. I could actually be feeling my leg right now but-¡±

    ¡°I can feel it.¡± Vega patted her calf.

    ¡°Funny. Was the hospital okay?¡± Pulling Vega up to her level, Florato asked with a little worry.

    ¡°Ehh, could be-be better. They only gave me a blanket.¡± Vega shrugged, happy to have received a blanket regardless.

    ¡°Speaking of, are you okay with you¡­ face?¡± Florato laid one hand on Vega¡¯s cheek (which one, I¡¯ll let you decide).

    ¡°Yeah, Skaldi and Florato helped to fix it while you were asleep.¡± Valiato added, pointing to the dresses right next to the cart.

    Sprawled out, there were a random assortment of dresses and outfits Florato and Skaldi had. Two red ones in particular had square patches cut out, those same ones now on Vega¡¯s face.

    ¡°Yeah, I love-love it! I look like I¡¯m bleeding from my eyes!¡± Bouncing around with joy, she eventually fell atop Amir as he was packing up.

    ¡°~...can you not?~¡± Throwing her up like ball, Amir sent her flying into the arms of Florato.

    ¡°Well, I¡¯m glad you like it. Skaldi and I were pretty worried. First time your head was split open and all.¡± Tracing the patches, Florato breathed out a sigh of relief.

    ¡°Can I get one of those when I get older?¡± Valiato tugged on Florato¡¯s arm as she pleaded.

    ¡°Ask your father.¡± Florato shook her head.

    ¡°No worries. I really do like it. I look cool-cool! By the way¡­¡± Breaking out of Florato¡¯s grip, she noticed a couple people were gone. Although most of their stuff was already packed or being packed up, Skaldi and Bolato were not there, along with Sorbet.

    A strange emptiness filled Vega.

    ¡°Hmm? Oh, those guys are talking with the Oligarchs.¡± Krimm rolled her hand around, not very clear with the details.

    ¡°Oligarchs? Yeah, ya are right! I forgot about them-them. They still alive? I liked the spider dude.¡± Walking up to Krimm, Vega smiled as she reminisced about meeting them.

    ¡°Everyone is set. Glatrix, that asshole is alive.¡± Krimm opened the door outside, and everyone except Amir followed. The street was alive, more or less, as this part of the city had been hurt so hard in the fires. Seeing a small force at the top of a hill, Vega could faintly see the figure of Oligarch Glatrix

    ¡°Goody. Bet he has already stolen shit from the Second Tower. An-any good news?¡± Turning her head to Krimm, Vega asked hopefully.

    ¡°Uh that Ruto guy is the head of repairs right now. Along with food and stuff.¡± Krimm squinted at the army up the hill, not sure of how correct her answers were.

    ¡°No, that¡¯s the spider guy, Roka. Roka is the head of repairs and interrogation, and Ruto is the head of food.¡± Valiato corrected, like a total fucking nerd.

    ¡°There¡¯s also one more?¡± Lifting a finger, Krimm gestured to everyone who didn¡¯t have a clue what she was talking about. It struck them as odd because Krimm seemed very sure about it. Vega got to thinking about who else could be in the city.

    ¡°Oligarch Tibato? He¡¯s creepy and all, but him? Is he out-out of Jantok Sky or something?¡±If you come across this story on Amazon, it''s taken without permission from the author. Report it.

    ¡°I wish!¡± A familiar voice shot from around the corner of the tower. Vega slowly bent forward to see who it was.

    Carrying wooden boxes and crates, Sorbet and Skaldi dropped what they were holding and glowed when they saw Vega. Bolato however lagged a little behind having to carry all of the shit.

    ¡°Vega! You¡¯re awake! Never knew you could go to sleep like that.¡± Skaldi hoisted Vega up by her hips and placed her back down. Upon which Sorbet leapt at Vega and crashed her back into the ground.

    ¡°Sorbet! I¡¯m so glad I don¡¯t have a sense of pain anymore!¡± Hugging her back, she could hardly be sad at her friend¡¯s appearance.

    ¡°Sorry, I¡¯m still getting used to normal interactions. Is jumping at a friend when you miss them normal?¡± Sorbet helped her up and dusted Vega off.

    ¡°Depends. Is your friend a weirdo?¡± Krimm laughed out cruelly, of which Florato flicked the back of her head. ¡°Ouch.¡±

    ¡°We¡¯re all kinda of weirdos.¡± Skaldi crossed his arms and smiled, and then Florato flicked him on the forehead. ¡°Ouch!¡±

    The two then got into a light flicking match, with everyone around laughing and even Kaliba and Valiato joining in until they were sore. Vega stood back the furthest, allowing herself to take in the mundane event.

    Even if in good spirits, Vega could tell without a doubt, they were planning to leave her.

    Their eyelids were purple with stress, their limbs bandaged and moved as if they were heavy. Bruises and wrinkles all over.

    All of them, except Vega, were tired beyond belief.

    As they finished their match, Skaldi wandered over with a limb to Vega. He smiled weakly, but it wasn¡¯t false or fake. He seemed to be admiring her, at least to everyone else.

    Instead, Skaldi was thinking about how different she looked. And how much of their battles and memories were written and woven into her body. How they had made their marks on her and Vega did the same for them.

    Of course, he didn¡¯t want to give all the credit to Vega. Afterall, they were a team. But he couldn¡¯t deny Vega got the ball rolling.

    ¡°I think I did good on you.¡± Skaldi held his head with a hand and tilted, seeing the stitches he and Florato made to repair her.

    ¡°I think ya did great. Red looks good-good on me.¡±

    ¡°I clearly wear red better.¡± Spinning on his heel, Skaldi threw his long hair over his shoulder. Vega attempted to do the same, but didn¡¯t have the tremendous amount of hair Skaldi had.

    ¡°Ladies, you¡¯re both pretty. Alright?¡± Bolato placed down all the crates beside the door, shaking his head.

    ¡°I think I wear it the best.¡± Strangely, they heard Skaldi speak again. When they turned to his direction, his eyes were wide and staring at what had been Krimm.

    Where Krimm had been standing, was now another Skaldi with smoke all around.

    ¡°Oh shit, that¡¯s weird dude! That¡¯s weird!¡± Bolato backed up, creeped out by Krimm¡¯s shapeshifting.

    ¡°I don¡¯t know sweetie, I got to say, I look nice. A mirror doesn¡¯t do me justice.¡± Skaldi snapped his fingers at Krimm, of which she snapped back and returned to her normal form.

    ¡°Enough with us complimenting each other.¡± Vega groaned, wanting to know what happened.

    ¡°Never!¡± Skaldi shot his arms up suddenly.

    ¡°Ya were talking with the Oligarchs, right?¡± Vega tilted her body to see Sorbet and Bolato.

    ¡°Yeah. Won¡¯t stop talking about the Second Tower.¡± Bolato¡¯s voice let on that the talks went on for a while.

    ¡°They wanted to start investigating and adding it to their estates. But we listened to you before ya went asleep.¡± Sorbet pointed at Vega.

    ¡°Huh? Did I say something?¡± Vega was a little surprised, not remembering most of what happened before she slept.

    ¡°A hospital. For the people who defended this place.¡± Saying it proudly, Sorbet seemed a little less tired and a bit more proud.

    ¡°Huh¡­. I¡¯m glad I said that.¡± Vega looked back at the tower, with it growing faint in the clouds. She shivered slightly, glad that it was being used for good.

    ¡°That¡¯s not all we talked about however.¡± Skaldi scratched the back of his head and turned away from Vega. Not looking at her, he appeared a bit uneasy about it.

    ¡°...what was it?¡± Knowing that it was going to be hard for him to say, Vega put on brave and accepting face. She knew it was going to hit her hard, so she braced for emotional impact.

    However, Skaldi didn¡¯t open his mouth. Instead, handing her a slip of paper. Not just any paper, a fine indigo black paper, with a wax gold stamp on it.

    It was a letter. A letter from an Oligarch. It read¡­

    ¡°To the Heros of Jantok,

    I along with my forces have recently landed on the Isle of Blight Elves. It fucking sucks here.

    But that is not what I am writing this letter for. It is about what we have discovered here. Recently the merfolk have been returning the people that live on this island. One of them, a royal boy, has been speaking about a Vega and her friends. Of how they fought to liberate this island and their peoples despite the Tripolians.

    Thusly, I wish to make an offer for you. An offer I won¡¯t let you refuse.

    I am hereby ordering you to return to the region of Suncatch, and back to Core Civitus. Soon, you will be escorted by ship and be briefed on the finer details.

    But what I can tell you now is this. Oligarch Tibato has got to go, and Ani Arma is going to meet his end.

    If. And only if.

    If you heed my offer.

    I hope this letter finds you well. And I hope you heed it.

    From,

    Oligarch Gaius Marian Graham.¡±

    The letter felt heavy in Vega¡¯s hands. Like tenfold steel.

    Lifting her eyes back up, it was very clear that everyone had read this a lot earlier. This letter was reminding them of something.

    The phrase, the one Ani Arma had made. It was present in their minds, like a perpetual howling of a wolf.

    One year. One short year. That¡¯s all they got.

    Staying silent until they returned back inside, Vega thought about what the letter meant.

    Vega was being recognized for her efforts not only by her friends, but by the most powerful people in Iozia and Tripolia. Oligarch and Patriarch. Marian Graham and Ani Arma.

    As everyone settled in, they waited for Vega to speak. Having been so used to her insatiable curiosity, this silence was aching on their hearts. The room was slowly becoming smaller as their gear was being packed up. All that remained was Florato¡¯s instruments and outfits, Sorbet¡¯s pouches that held the Soul Gems, and finally Vega¡¯s random items and trinkets she had collected along the way.

    Taking a seat next to Skaldi, Vega looked at the letter with mild anxiety. The only bits of light left were three candles, around their feet.

    ¡°When¡­ when did this letter arrive?¡± Vega handed the letter back to Skaldi, who put it back into his back of handing.

    ¡°Five days ago. A bunch of Oligarch ships came in and well, asked for you.¡± Skaldi tapped her on the shoulder, smiling sadly.

    ¡°Then¡­ why didn¡¯t ya guys leave?¡±

    ¡°You kidding me? We¡¯d wouldn¡¯t do that! Not to you.¡± Valiato exclaimed, amazed that Vega had been thinking that it was a possibility.

    ¡°Ha. Leaving without saying a word. After what we¡¯ve been through?¡± Bolato hunched over in his seat, snickering at vega.

    ¡°~She thinks too lowly of herself.~¡± Amir calmly stated, which made Florato and Valiato shush him.

    Feeling ever so slightly better, the scarecrow came to the understanding of what had happened. They had been preparing to leave, but not before saying goodbye.

    They had been waiting for Vega to wake up.

 Chapter 81: A Bittersweet Farewell (Part 2!)

    Chapter 81: A Bittersweet Farewell (Part 2!)

    Even as the Oligarchs got in their ears and bothered them, even as they were plagued by wounds and fears, they weren¡¯t going to end it unceremoniously. Vega deserved better than that.

    ¡°You know, when we went to the Second Tower, I told them to watch out for your Soul Gem.¡± Skaldi said, not fully looking at Vega.

    ¡°Really? A¡­ Soul Gem.¡± Hearing the words, her dream had begun to make more sense. What the Shadow had said, of the Soul and not revealing whose it was. Of what she had asked of Ani Arma in that dream.

    ¡°I told them because they thought you weren¡¯t alive. You know, it was Krimm who also kept them from throwing you out.¡± He pointed at her, of which Krimm blushed slightly.

    ¡°Whatever. I was¡­ just waiting for you.¡± Krimm crossed her arms and pouted.

    Vega rubbed her head, treasuring that had waited this long for her.

    Then followed another realization. One that Vega detected in Skaldi¡¯s eye. Him not wanting to speak and look at her.

    ¡°I see¡­ then¡­ ya guys are going to accept this offer?¡± As Vega spoke, everyone¡¯s resolve fell. Valiato stopped and sat back down, and Bolato sat straight up. None of them wanted to be the first to answer.

    ¡°Yes.¡± Skaldi gave her the answer she knew. He didn¡¯t give it any explanation, for their wounds and histories gave it all. Defending Uvi Jantok drained a part of them that would take a lot to recover. And that needed time. Time to go away.

    ¡°...I get it.¡± Closing her eyes, Vega got up and marched over to her gear. Her pickaxe and guitar were laid on two fabrics, having been cleaned and tuned. Some of her gold was gone, likely used to help with repairs and charity. Many of her drawings, of her friends and letters were there as well.

    ¡°Vega¡­ we can talk if you¡¯d-¡±

    ¡°No. I¡­ I want to think a little bit.¡± Holding a hand to stop Florato, Vega stuffed all of her gear back into her body and put the pickaxe and guitar on her back. Seeing the stairs up, Vega began to climb, to seclude herself from them. When she left, two of the candles burned out.

    Up and up she went, going through the floors and seeing what her friends had made of them. Some of them still had their clothes and weapons, others had flowers and others had papers. Soon, there would be nothing.

    As Vega climbed up to the same floors of the tower, she found the sixth and final floor, she felt an unexplainable melancholy.

    How long had it been since she first entered this tower? A year? A century?

    No, it was two weeks ago, at most!

    Yet for some reason, Vega felt sad when entering this room. An emptiness. Like one finds the house they grew up in and finds it a skeleton of itself. There being no one they remember left. No memories. Just like before.

    Collapsing her on knees, the scarecrow cried like never before. Not a loud or whimpering one, but a long and needed one. Tears fell from her animated eyes, and she tried to wipe them away.

    Her chest and head hurt, with a psychic pain. Almost complete. Almost whole. And now she felt like whole parts were being ripped out. In a way, her friends were a part of her. Her only memories of people respecting her and wanting to be with her. The only memories that made sense.

    The only memories that she had made.

    The only memories that were her own, rather than Kaliber¡¯s or Ani Arma¡¯s.

    When she grabbed her chest, she felt a paper rustling. Pulling it out, she remembered there was a paper she had found here, on the sixth.

    ¡°I miss you Kaliber¡­ why¡­ why those words?¡± Vega spoke to herself, struggling with a memory that wasn¡¯t hers. Her tears slowed down, with her trying to focus.

    What the Shadow said, about her Soul Gem.

    What Skaldi said, about the hair glowing in her head.

    What was it?

    Staying quiet, she half expected Ani Arma to speak, to taunt her. And a faint part of her hoped that he would explain.

    But no one could explain. No one could find out. Except for her.

    Vega had her purpose. But she desperately wanted her history. The history of the Soul Gem that she had, that she was born from.

    Pulling out the paper she had found here, she read it out¡­

    ¡°To Ena,

    Whatever you do, don¡¯t try and leave. I know you are scared and alone but you are strong. When I return, I promise that all will be better. You will be better. Give me a few months. All will be better.

    I won¡¯t leave you. I won¡¯t become distant.

    From,

    Kaliber.¡±

    ¡°I won¡¯t leave ya¡­ I won¡¯t become distant¡­¡± As she read the words aloud, Vega felt flush, warmed by an answer. An answer she formed.

    As her friends are debating on whether to leave or not, Vega shouldn¡¯t be worried about being alone. Although they are far away, far from her in physical space, they won¡¯t abandon her. For they will always be with her.

    In the memories and stories they had together. And in the lessons and hopes they had given each other.You might be reading a pirated copy. Look for the official release to support the author.

    Pulling out of her chest, she felt several plush things there. As she grabbed them, she saw the plushies of her friends, the ones she took from her dream. Vega¡¯s tears stopped, seeing that she had pulled them out of the dreamscape. And that they were here with her.

    Stacking them side by side, Vega smiled like a little girl with her toys.

    Once a unsure, neurotic girl who simply wanted friendship, who didn¡¯t want to be alone anymore. Now she was a proud, well traveled and loved person. That doesn¡¯t change because her friends are going away.

    Not life, not death, not chaos, nor unity could ever take that away from Vega.

    Was she scared about Ani Arma, scared that he might invade her dreams again? Yes. But she is stronger than she had realized. She is better, and she will be better. Give it a few months and they all might stand a chance.

    ¡°...They won¡¯t leave me. They won¡¯t be distant.¡±

    Opening the hatch down, Vega entered back to the ground floor. Florato and Skaldi sat up from their seats and Bolato and Krimm turned to see her. All of them had worry on their faces.

    Florato walked up to Vega but Skaldi stopped her, seeing that she was the least composed. However, Skaldi stepped right in front of Vega and began to speak.

    ¡°...Vega¡­ It¡¯s been¡­ amazing. I¡¯d be a shit liar to say you haven¡¯t changed me for the better. And¡­ and¡­¡±

    ¡°Skaldi. Don¡¯t worry.¡± Laying a hand on his shoulder, Vega spoke without any sadness.

    ¡°W¡­what?¡± Skaldi spoke less with surprise and more worry.

    ¡°It¡¯s okay. I understand.¡± Vega turns to everyone and walks up to each person, laying her hand on each of their shoulders.

    ¡°Bu-¡± Florato backs up as Vega shushes her.

    ¡°Florato. Everyone. We all have been facing death for¡­ I don¡¯t know, month-months now. It¡¯s tiring. While I can get repaired and sewn back together, ya guys can¡¯t.¡± Vega held her eyes to the ground, being overwhelmed by the people looking at her.

    ¡°Vega¡­¡± Tilting her head like a loving mother, Florato blinks away a few tears.

    ¡°Are you sure? You¡­ you can come with us.¡± Skaldi offered, knowing that Vega had an option betweening finding out her history in the Second Tower, or going over to Core Civitus.

    ¡°I know how much ya guys care and how much-much you guys have fought for me. For me. Never in all my years I-I have found people as¡­ cool as you!¡± Vega laughs, unable to put it into any other words. The party collectively smiled sadly, appreciating the compliments but feeling awful that they¡¯re leaving.

    In these months, they had seen the scarecrow develop from an insane and annoying kid, to their most emotionally mature and brave friend. Well, most of the time.

    ¡°And¡­ if ya guys want to leave for a bit¡­ I¡¯m okay with that. My place is here, right now. And if ya guys have to go¡­ I can come to-to terms with that.¡± Vega felt a heavy weight lift off her, finally accepting their decision.

    ¡°~...This scarecrow. You ought to learn from her.~¡± Amir rested his elbow atop Valiato¡¯s head.

    ¡°~Learn how to be set on fire?~¡± Valiato joked, bumping her elbow into Amir¡¯s hip.

    ¡°~Haha! Sure kid!~¡± The old man laughed out, making everyone relax even more.

    ¡°It¡¯s your guy''s choice. I don¡¯t want ya to feel forced because ya think I¡¯m in danger. I can take care of myself now. I¡­ can figure it out.¡± Finally returning to Skaldi, she relaxed her smile and looked directly at him.

    Skaldi as he looks at Vega has a mental picture over her form, the one he had originally met, the one at the Concert of Combat. And here she was now. If he had to describe it, it was like watching a little kid sister grow up.

    ¡°...I¡¯m staying.¡± Sorbet announced. She shrinks up when everyone stares. ¡°Oh, is that not how you¡¯re supposed to do it?¡±

    ¡°Sorbet-¡±

    ¡°Vega, I¡¯m not doing it just for you.¡± Firmly stating it, Sorbet wasn''t going to let Vega talk over her. ¡°After seeing those Soul Gems and finally being free, I want to help you figure out magic and how it works! I think¡­I think I can do good here.¡±

    ¡°Me and Amir¡­ we want to recover. And what that Oligarch Graham guy is offering is pretty good. The training allows us to prepare for Ani Arma.¡± Valiato says, only giving a few glances at Vega.

    ¡°Plus who knows what he has to offer. We might not need to steal anymore. At least anything beyond the bank. Soul Gems are going to be premium from now on!¡± Bolato announced, resting his arm over Skaldi¡¯s shoulder.

    ¡°...I¡¯m staying too.¡± Florato whispered, catching only Skaldi and Vega¡¯s initial attention.

    ¡°Florato. You aren¡¯t much of a fighter. You can rest.¡± Vega patted her on the shoulder.

    ¡°You helped me Flo.¡± Valiato held onto Florato¡¯s hand. ¡°It¡¯s okay to be scared of this stuff. We can relax a bit.¡±

    ¡°I know that. But¡­ whenever I see you guys fighting and all I can do is support, I feel bad. Like, I had all that armor on and I could hardly do anything. Valiato did more than me!¡± Florato couldn¡¯t help but to feel ashamed that she and to rely on her to deal damage.

    ¡°But I¡¯m cool!¡± Valiato stood proudly.

    ¡°But you¡¯re a little kid. That¡¯s barely a teenager. I¡­ I want to work here. Whether it be repairing or¡­ learning or whatever. I want to help. Even if I just put on shows to make people feel happy. Is that okay?¡± Florato got down on one knee and held Valiato close.

    ¡°Honestly, that wouldn¡¯t be a bad idea.¡± Skaldi commended her, giving her a thumbs up. ¡°As for me¡­ my body had seen a ton of damage. You¡¯re right Vega. I just¡­ didn¡¯t want you to be hurt.¡± Skaldi¡¯s words hurt Vega the most.

    Not because he was lying about his motive, but because he was telling the whole truth.

    ¡°I get it Skaldi. No more need for it. I¡¯m okay. I¡¯ll be okay.¡± As she finished, Florato and Sorbet stood by her side. Slowly, her gaze moved to Krimm was hadn¡¯t spoken the entire time.

    ¡°...I need to do good here. I feel¡­  I don¡¯t fucking know, like I need to repent. Repay. Redemption. Those are words, right?¡± Krimm asked, not being used to expressing feelings aside anger and hate in a while.

    ¡°Those are good enough. Ya are good enough.¡±

    Within the day, the party planned and said their goodbyes. They ate at open air restaurants, dipped their feet into the cool lake waters, read the random manuscripts at the Second Tower, and for the first time in a long time, didn¡¯t feel the edge of death at their backs.

    They were able to be themselves. They weren¡¯t fighting to survive, they got to live.

    Walking them over to the now full dockyard, each of them said their praises and goodbyes to each other. Tears fell and smiles rose.

    The last two to say goodbye were Skaldi and Vega. As they talked, they didn¡¯t see each other, rather past versions they were talking to. Like touching the sands of an hourglass.

    Soon, the people that were leaving got on top of the Oligarch vessel and started to leave. They waved as they left and within an hour they disappeared into the horizon.

    The scarecrow and her friends stayed there for a while, seeing the day turn into a cool blue as evening arrived.

    Standing over her, Krimm had a few questions for her first new friend. A simple one to ask but a hard one to answer.

    ¡°Vega¡­ I forgot to ask¡­ what is your mission?¡±

    ¡°Misson?¡± Vega looked up at her, laughing at the particular word.

    ¡°Ah, sorry. Military speak. I know it has to be something with¡­destruction? I mean¡­ what is your purpose?¡± Krimm clarified what she meant, looking back at the horizon.

    ¡°...¡± Vega savored the cool air, letting it blow past her.

    ¡°I am Vega the Scarecrow. The mightest, smartest, kindest, and most bestest construct of all.¡± She stood up, stronger than she had been ever before.

    Holding her pickaxe and guitar to the sky, the Scarecrow was ready to face the future. Her future.

    ¡°And now, Ani Arma must die!¡±

 Chapter 82: On the Edge of the Future

    Chapter 82: On the Edge of the Future

    The Scarecrow gave herself half a year. Half a year to better understand her magic, improve her usage of it, along with figuring out a way to break into Jantok Sky.

    Although a massive untaking, Vega wouldn¡¯t allow herself to let Ani Arma drive her to fear. She wouldn¡¯t let herself be bested by him.

    Already a week since the party had split apart, the people that stayed moved most of their stuff to the Second Tower, taking up a small warehouse on one of the lower floors.

    Containing tall shelves with boxes of expired ingredients and cobwebs, this warehouse had yet to be fully examined. Even after the week, they had known less than half of the equipment and stock there, for most of it had been written in Tripolian.

    Sure, it had only been a week, but Vega was already feeling like she was falling too far behind. That she needed to catch up, that she needed to get things going.

    In the middle of the night, everyone¡¯s laid around into their bedrolls, shifting and rolling around. Vega, on account of not needing to sleep, continued her work with a candle by her side.

    With stacks of old papers and books, Vega¡¯s work continued on a rounded desk in a half circle shape. On there laid ancient pencils of which Vega used to take notes and to piece together what had been written. Or rather, what had survived from being ruined or decayed.

    ¡°Words, words, words¡­ more words that I don-don¡¯t get¡­¡± Slowly, her eyes closed halfway, unable to find anything in this manuscript of use. Getting up, she folded it and placed it in one of the crates beside her.

    One was stacked so high that she needed to stand on the table to place it, this being the one with unreadable or useless information.

    And the other was the one that contained bits of Kaliber¡¯s history, sketches and descriptions of Soul Gems, and her dealings with Oligarchs. Currently, only three were in there.

    ¡°God¡­this was a-a mistake.¡± Rubbing her eyes, Vega wished Amir or even Valiato stayed behind. While she appreciated Florato and even Krimm¡¯s help to translate, their skill with Tripolian was elementary compared to his.

    Resting her head on the table, Vega rolled it and looked at them asleep. Florato¡¯s hair was currently covering Sorbet¡¯s face, and Sorbet¡¯s hair was in Krimm¡¯s mouth.

    ¡°Hmm¡­they¡¯re trying their best. I shouldn¡¯t hold it against them-them¡­¡± Vega closed her eyes, now mentally berating herself for even thinking they were holding her back. They were her friends and they wanted to do this, Vega couldn¡¯t allow herself to be upset at them.

    So she became upset with herself.

    ¡°...damn it¡­why don¡¯t I know what happened?¡± Pushing herself up from the desk, Vega grabbed the candle and exited out of the warehouse.

    Every now and again, Vega would come across a piece of paper that she could read, despite it being Tripolian. Whenever she did, she glowed and read like it was going to be a breakthrough. Yet within a few lines, all it ended up being was a recipe for cakes or a letter about menial matters.

    ¡°I can¡¯t blame myself. But, I just¡­wish it was different.¡± Climbing up the many staircases further up, Vega watched through the cracks and chasm at the city. Even with much of it destroyed, it still had a serene quality.

    Despite all the fires, all the wounds, it was peaceful and lovely, in an odd way.

    ¡°...maybe I¡¯m just being selfish. Why does it matter-matter to me? No, how does it matter?¡± Stopping in a hallway of dark, Vega was surrounded only by the candle¡¯s light and the few strings of moonlight through the cracks.

    Vega knew that rationally, she couldn¡¯t have any reasons to blame herself, she was lost. Abandoned would be a more apt term, abandoned by Ani Arma. Yet still, she feel a guilt that she held against her heart, like she had some wrongdoing, some unknown act that she committed.

    ¡°...do I even need to know?¡± Vega focused on Ani¡¯s words, the words from the dream.

    ¡°A sketch. A sketch an artist makes before-fore they make a wonderful painting. What does that mean? ¡­does it matter?¡± Bowing her head down, letting the candle weaken and darken, Vega shook and shivered. ¡°Why do I care? No one cares.¡±

    ¡°Now that¡¯s not true.¡±

    A voice. A voice, warm and familiar, was right behind her. She turned her head and lifted the candle towards it. Nothing.

    ¡°Uhh¡­behind you?¡± The voice spoke again, of which Vega frantically searched. Nothing. Well, not exactly nothing.

    ¡°Where are ya-¡±

    ¡°Calm down-down! Just look over ya shoulder.¡± The voice calmly asked, and Vega slowly began to piece together who it was. Turning her head ever so slightly and holding her candle up high, she saw him.

    The shadow had returned.

    ¡°Woah! You¡¯re here! You¡¯re here again!¡± Vega glowed with energy, knocked out from her sad stupor. Running to meet the shadow, all she did was moved where the light was coming from and chased after it.

    ¡°Indeed-deed. Also, where I am depends on the candle.¡± Sassily pointing at her hand, the shadow was still his brainy and matter of fact self.

    ¡°Right-right. Uhh¡­¡± Searching for a place to put the candle, Vega walked into one of the many indoor gardens of the tower.

    With plenty of lounging space and moonlight from windows, it seemed almost perfect. What wasn¡¯t perfect was the fact this room had been defaced when it was collapsing, so much of it was covered in rubble. Simply placing the candle atop a boulder, Vega returned to the shadow.

    ¡°What are ya doing here? Are ya supposed to come in dreams or something?¡± Vega poked at the ground the shadow was at.

    ¡°That¡¯s what I thought too! But no. Maybe it has to do with¡­ your emotions?¡±

    ¡°So like when I¡¯m sad-sad? Or hopeless?¡± Offering an example, Vega tilted her hand towards the shadow.

    ¡°No, that can¡¯t be right. It has to be more specific.¡± The shadow shifted around slightly, as if walking back and forth in a two dimensional plane.

    Sitting down and putting her elbow on a knee, Vega rested her head against her hand. Like a philosopher thinking about life, Vega thought of the dream where she first met the shadow.You could be reading stolen content. Head to the original site for the genuine story.

    All of it was still very vivid, and the whole week between then and now had muddled a few details. However, Vega remembered that the shadow arrived involuntarily and saved her when Ani Arma was trying to control her.

    But how was that similar to now, Vega thought.

    Perhaps she was hopeless, that finding her history might not have any benefit. Did he save her from that? It might have been more mundane, but that could be it. The shadow technically saved her from some type of peril.

    ¡°Is it because you helped me?¡±

    ¡°...no, that can¡¯t be it. That¡¯s not good enough.¡± The shadow stopped in place, grabbing his chin and shaking his head.

    ¡°It¡¯s good enough for me.¡± Vega smiled softly, which made the shadow look at her for a moment. Like being snapped out of it, the it being overcomplication.

    ¡°...fair enough. Heh.¡± The shadow let go of his chin and strutted back towards Vega. ¡°By the way-way, did we win?¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m still alive, so yeah.¡± Vega showed off her new stitches, of which the shadow gasped.

    ¡°Jeez, what the hell happened?!¡± The shadow tried to place his hands on her, of which they fell through. ¡°Oh, still can¡¯t touch stuff.¡±

    ¡°I got set on fire, fought Runtaii, and killed him. And¡­ yeah. Also the dream.¡± Vega relayed the info like it wasn¡¯t too important.

    ¡°Huh. So just a regular Tuesday, huh?¡±

    ¡°The fucks a Tuesday?¡±

    ¡°So¡­ do ya need help again?¡± The shadow shifted to Vega¡¯s side, ready to help her out.

    ¡°Boy yes!¡± Vega leapt up, happy to have someone to help her figure this tower out. If not a guide, at least a friend who understood it.

    ¡°Hahaha! Let¡¯s get started!¡±

    Within the hour, Vega and the shadow transformed this garden from its collapsed state into an unorthodox personal office for Vega. With far more light and room for Vega¡¯s antics and stuff she could decipher, she designed it based on her own style and form.

    After breaking all the rubble into powder, Vega took whatever nearby furniture and put it all in the garden. Beds were stripped and became workbenches, old stools became stacked with books with labels to help categorize them, and many of the papers were laid in beds of Tripolinan flowers and Iozian grasses.

    The main desk Vega had built herself, using the shadow¡¯s engineering prowess and her wild creativity, they had turned a series of broken pots and shelves into a circular desk with drawers and space for a swivel chair.

    Vega really liked the swivel chair.

    The top of the desk was packed to the brim with rusted science equipment, boxes full of papers, and whatever nicknacks Vega found interesting. But one singular corner remained the cleanest.

    This corner had a singular pamphlet, with the title ¡®Welcome home, Construct!¡¯, with parts written in both Iozian and Tripolian. It was for translation, not only of language but of finding her history.

    Since the shadow had a greater knowledge of the tower¡¯s design and layout, he had Vega find this pamphlet, for it was meant to give Vega a chance to figure out all these papers.

    In the hands of an ordinary man, these random papers would appear useless. But the pamphlet would reveal the actual truth hidden behind the words.

    In only ten minutes, this pamphlet had allowed Vega to turn her previously three papers of useful info into several boxes now filed and sorted.

    ¡°So when Kaliber writes about ¡®stacking the shelves¡¯, she means trading with an Oligarch?¡± Writing down on another piece of paper, Vega held the pamphlet in her other hand and glanced at it for confirmation.

    ¡°Yes, but remember when she specified which shelf. Like, if it says a Gorian shield it means-¡±

    ¡°Trading with a Sanguian Oligarch. And if it says a Tagi shelf, that means trading with an Eastern Patriarch. Right!¡± Speeding up her writing, Vega put down the translated paper and put it with the others.

    ¡°Wow. You¡¯re doing good.¡± The shadow remark, looking at the tremendous progress Vega had achieved. Even if it was small, it showed how much influence Kaliber really had. Unknown to the general populace, but key to the Oligarchs and Patriarchs.

    Like a bridge between Tripolia and Iozia. A person who offer hands between. That reminds me of something¡­

    Wait¡­

    No. Nevermind. I think I just had another brainfart.

    ¡°Thank ya shadow. This actually really helps.¡± Vega put down her pencils and rested her head down on the desk.

    ¡°Don¡¯t mention it.¡± The shadow shrugged, not really feeling too proud of his contributions. Afterall, he was only a shadow following her.

    ¡°No really! I don¡¯t think I¡¯d ever get as far ahead without ya. Like¡­ really. I think I would have just-just¡­ given up. On figuring out my history.¡± Vega let her smile fade, allowing herself to imagine it. Giving up at this point.

    ¡°I seriously doubt that.¡± The shadow was not fucking believing that, especially after seeing what she had done.

    ¡°Dude, I¡¯m trying to say I appreciate ya? Okay? Is¡­ is that hard-hard to believe?¡± Vega shot up, not wanting her point to be dismissed.

    The shadow backed up, not knowing how to properly respond to Vega. He bowed his head slightly and tapped his fingers together, as if summoning strength to say something.

    As he did, Vega thought about what happened in the dream. More specifically, what Ani Arma had told her. Of the Black Box. Of offering to tell her history.

    ¡°Wait, what happened at the end? Of the dream!? Did Ani Arma do anything?¡± Vega launched from her chair and crouched down at her shadow.

    ¡°I¡­ I don¡¯t know? And I¡¯m not lying this time! You held out your hand and then I suddenly woke up!¡± The shadow held out his hands in defense, of which Vega got up and groaned.

    ¡°Damn it! I¡­I¡­I hope he didn¡¯t do anything to ya.¡± Vega crossed her arms and shook her head. She felt remarkably stupid for that choice. Even if she wanted to figure out her history, Vega knew shouldn¡¯t have listened to Ani Arma.

    She understood her feelings, of why she just wanted a straight answer, but that didn¡¯t justify the choice enough.

    ¡°Hey. It¡¯s okay.¡± Placing a dark hand on her shoulder, the shadow wished to make Vega feel okay.

    ¡°It isn¡¯t. Look¡­ I know ya have your reasons to hide and stuff. And I didn¡¯t properly respect that. I¡¯m just¡­ scared that I might end up hurting people. If I become more selfish.¡± Vega put her hands on her hips, trying to support herself.

    ¡°I know. I went through that too-too. Technically still am. Haha! But, ya aren¡¯t wrong to have these feelings. And ya aren¡¯t wrong to want things for yourself. And clearly, ya care about your friends.¡± The shadow put it as clearly as he could, which took some genuine effort for himself.

    ¡°...thanks. Thank ya. I¡­I really like ya.¡± Vega spoke without thinking about the implications. If she could blush, she would have.

    ¡°...I like ya too.¡± The shadow replied, shivering as he did.

    The two stood there, in this tense and warm silence.

    ¡°Hey¡­ I want to tell ya my name. Now that Ani isn¡¯t here.¡± The shadow got up close, right next to her side.

    ¡°...really?¡±

    ¡°Yes.¡±

    ¡°...tell-tell me.¡± Moving her head closer, Vega laid on the ground and rest her head on her arms.

    ¡°...my name is Skull Boy.¡±

    ¡°...heh¡­haha¡­hahahaha!¡± Rolling around in laughter, Vega immediately howled and slapped the ground in joy.

    ¡°Heh. Hahaha!¡± Skull Boy joined her in laughing, rolling around beside.

    ¡°Haha! Can I just call ya, hahaha, Skull? Skull Boy sounds¡­haha!¡± Vega couldn¡¯t cease her laughing, but wanted to be kind to her new friend.

    ¡°Hahaha! Sure.¡± Said Skull.

    ¡°Hehehe. Okay, heh, okay.¡± Vega sat up, and looked to Skull. ¡°Thank ya. It sure makes talking to ya a little less weird.¡±

    ¡°No worries. Its¡­ been fun-fun talking to you. I think I¡¯m leaving now.¡± Skull looked to seeing Vega¡¯s shadow returning to normal.

    ¡°Oh. Well, I¡¯ll see ya when I see ya.¡± Waving Skull off, she watched as Skull slowly disappeared from her shadow.

    ¡°And Vega?¡±

    ¡°Yes-yes?¡±

    ¡°... ya are more than your history. Ya are your reaction to it.¡± The last words Skull said, before his voice became quieter and quieter. And then he was gone. Vanishing from her sight.

    Rising up, Vega saw the moon was getting low. And soon it would be day. Looking back at her shadow, she missed Skull¡¯s form.

    Shadows can show how far you have really come. And shadows can show you far you have to go.

 Holiday Break!

    Hello again, Century Robot here.

    Taking another break again. Nothing is usual, simply that I wanted to enjoy the end of the year without too much on my mind. You could be reading stolen content. Head to Royal Road for the genuine story.

    My bad folks.

    I know I just took a break not too long ago, so this is totally all my fault. However, Helldivers 2 just got some extra shit, so I''ve been playing that for a bit.

    But don''t worry, I won''t be gone too long, I''ll be back on Jan 3rd.  You guys will hardly miss me.

 Chapter 83: The Elfâ€™s Soul (Part 1!)

    Chapter 83: The Elf¡¯s Soul (Part 1!)

    How does one prepare for a battle with an enemy you don¡¯t know?

    How does one do it in half a year''s time?

    What can you do in that time that will allow you to survive?

    Those were all questions in Skaldi¡¯s mind, as the rocking of the ship made it hard to sleep. The constant shifting and shaking, the present steps and moving of the guards and soldiers, the salty stench and the wet air.

    Strangely, it gave him some focus. Like he was on the edge of some insight, some type of realization.

    Sure it wasn¡¯t as comfortable as Bolato¡¯s ship, since that one was small and had plenty of space for them. Here the whole party was packed in a small room, only provided hammocks and a wooden bench.

    Skaldi had been laying on that bench for the past hour because Valiato was drooling on him. He didn¡¯t know why he was worrying so much. As often as the ship bobbed, his heart whimpered a bit.

    Using his arm as a pillow, Skaldi looked out at the door with flickering lights behind it. Here, everything was dark, cloudy. Nothing to see or find.

    No answers to his questions.

    ¡°...fuck it¡­¡± He stretched out his neck before rolling off the bench.  Pushing himself up, Skaldi quietly and quickly shuffled out the room and into the adjacent hall.

    This was a military ship so the hall was cramped as well, with barely enough space for two people to pass by one another. Skaldi had been on this hip for about a week so he knew the general layout. He had even stolen some of the wine the soldiers had been storing, so he was going to have a little seaside drink.

    Getting to the top of the ship, Skaldi only saw a couple of soldiers out, along with the sailors making sure everything was on course. What was strange about them were the additional escorts right beside.

    Granted, there weren¡¯t too many, only three smaller ships. But still, seeing that they were being taken seriously for once and by Oligarchs was still surprising to him.

    Him! A Galtian Elf was being treated to this level of service by one of the mightest Iozians in all the continent. Smirking at the thought, Skaldi gulped down some of the wine in celebration.

    As soon as the wine was in his system, that worrying crawled back. Seeing the escorts beside them meant this was serious. Ani Arma was serious.

    ¡°...why us? Isn¡¯t there anyone better?¡± Skaldi pushed away his hair with his thumb and rested his chin on the railing.

    The thought that his team were being treated like they were important also gave him a bit of anxiety. The best the Oligarchy had was an alcoholic elf, a little girl, an asthmatic librarian, and a big soldier guy.

    ¡°Is that really it?¡± Skaldi bent his brows as he looked out towards the sea. Sure, those same people helped to defeat Runtaii and his forces. But that fight was really close, and without the Lai Family, the Three Oligarchs, and Lady Lai¡¯s mercenaries, that fight wouldn¡¯t have been so close.

    ¡°...what is the real reason?¡± Lifting his head up, he turned back to the ships themselves. Armed to the teeth, they would probably be used better if they were on the frontlines, or whatever Bolato could suggest.

    Bolato couldn¡¯t offer much insight, since he was about as clueless as everyone else. However, the soldier did provide a thought that it wasn¡¯t about pure military might. Something more speculative, something that couldn¡¯t be measured by tangible units.

    ¡°Obviously Ani Arma is not a threat that can¡¯t be simply beaten with just pure numbers¡­ maybe its because of Vega? No, then he would have brought along her. Why us?¡± Skaldi felt like he was getting closer to the true answer, one that satisfied his humility and pride.

    Pacing back and forth for a while, Skaldi decided to let the answer be brought to him. Now choosing instead to imagine Oligarch Graham. Luckily, many of the sailors had been talking about him.If you stumble upon this narrative on Amazon, it''s taken without the author''s consent. Report it.

    ¡°Oligarch Graham, he¡¯s the ruler of Suncatch. Isn¡¯t that right?¡± A sailor spoke between gulps of wine. Skaldi listened in on the conversation, hiding behind some barrels.

    ¡°Not just Suncatch, of all of the Marian Isles.¡± Another sailor spoke, gently sipping on tea.

    ¡°Wait a minute, isn¡¯t Graham related to Damocles? The Damocles?¡± The sailor exclaimed with excited realization.

    ¡°Yes, they were both Marian. If it weren¡¯t for him, we wouldn¡¯t have much of a navy.¡±

    ¡°Makes sense. A lot of Oligarchs focus on land operations, full of glory and gold! But this Graham, he seems¡­ cautious!¡± The sailor announced, spilling some of his wine on the deck.

    ¡°I wouldn¡¯t choose that word, but sure. Marians love their grand battle plans. Still, I don''t know why he had us pick those randos from Uvi Jantok.¡± The other scoffed and put down his tea on his lap, shaking his head in disbelief.

    ¡°Randos? I am so insulted.¡± Skaldi whispered to himself.

    ¡°Randos!? Brother, haven¡¯t you heard the report? Freed multiple cities, defended from Tripolian invasion. Fort Jao, Jinmai, and now Uvi Jantok! I¡¯m insulted on their behalf.¡± The sailor again gestured with his cup, barely not spilling it in the process.

    ¡°Thank you! Finally, someone who sings our praises.¡± Skaldi spoke quietly to himself, glad to finally have a good reputation.

    ¡°Regardless of that fact, I doubt that¡¯s the true reason. We won¡¯t know till we get there.¡± Lifting his cup back to his mouth, the sailor continued to drink his tea. Doubting that he¡¯ll find anymore information on Oligarch Graham, Skaldi crawled back to the staircase he came out from.

    Taking one last look of the night sky, Skaldi wondered what would have changed about Core Civitus since the last four months since they had been there. If the air and food would taste the same. If there were traces of the person he was before there.

    The Elf wondered if he was worthy.

    After months in the making, the complex had been completed.

    A massive complex, not built for war, but for training.

    Oligarch Graham commanded great loyalty from his legions since they didn¡¯t care to question the structure, until its completion. His unquieting requests for more and more foreign scholars and doctors now showed fruit. In this complex would be born new armies.

    The last couple months to prepare for the war season came and went and soon he would lead a full assault on Tripolia.

    Not to inflict suffering, not to achieve monetary gain. But to simply deal a crippling blow to Tripolian¡¯s senior most Patriarch, Ani Arma.

    As Skaldi stared up at the complex, he saw the faint visage of Core Civitus and its star. In a way, the complex was a twin city to it.

    Designed low and wide, the complex spread throughout the valley. Resembling a Kai Ren palace in shape and Sanguian fortress in defenses, this facility was truly massive in scale.

    Entire road networks, bridges, and tunnels had to be crafted just to simply get to it. With five military checkpoints of increasing security made the journey there unbearable, but when the party saw it, they knew why.

    On every road and entrance, wagons and entourages filled every space leading up to the gates. People, just as varied and strange as the party was. Bands of warriors from all the known continents, traveled adventurers of all seas and realms, and the many marvels and tailsmans they carried.

    If you would ask me, it wasn¡¯t an Iozian city, nor a Tripolian one. More of a mixture between the two, like two oils in a glass. Where instead of repealing one another, they swirled and orbited.

    Currently, the party was in line for the gate. Surprisingly there were few in line compared to how many were camping outside.

    ¡°~...feels¡­ like home¡­~¡± Amir got down on one knee and laid his hands on the soil. He saw the etchings of hundreds of footprints, all walking on the same ground.

    ¡°~Are you okay Ari?~¡± Valiato smiled, feeling that Amir was getting overly sentimentality for such a sight.

    ¡°~On this ground have walked a thousand people, in all directions. Here, in Iozia.~¡± Standing up and cleaning his hands, Amir could not hide how impressed he was.

    ¡°What¡¯s he saying kid?¡± Bolato rubbed Valiato¡¯s hair, tired but playful.

    ¡°Something wise, I don¡¯t know.¡± Throwing her arms up, Valiato pointed out that their turn in line was next.

    This checkpoint was the briefest and less protected, only having two guards to confirm who they were. A tiny red shed that rested by the wall, only a few feet from the giant brass gate.

    For an odd reason, it make Skaldi worry. He held close onto to Bolato who laughed as Skaldi did.

    ¡°Calm down sweetie. We¡¯ve made it this far.¡± He held him close, resting his chin on the elf¡¯s head.

    ¡°I know. But¡­ something is wrong.¡± He sighed as they arrived to the checkpoint.

    The only thing different was that they gave each member a colored wax stamp on their hands.

    Amir and Bolato recieved a gold orange stamp, Valiato got a green one, and Skaldi got a bright red one.

    ¡°All clear. Simply check in with the colored paths and you¡¯ll be fine. I hope.¡± Pulling a level on his desk, the soldier pulled up the gate.

    Rising slowly, it gave everyone time to think about what exactly they¡¯d be facing.

 Chapter 83:The Elfs Soul (Part 2!)

    Chapter 83:The Elf''s Soul (Part 2!)

    A thick tension rose along with the gate. And all of a sudden, everyone and everything became quiet.

    What stood before them was a long, black tunnel. One that seemed too vast for even the gate. While they hadn¡¯t been inside before, they all knew something was off.

    ¡°...this is odd.¡± Bolato tilted his head and then shifted his gaze to the guards still at the checkpoint.

    ¡°It''s a safety measure.¡± One leisurely responded.

    ¡°A safety measure? We passed through how many checkpoints, and this? This is a safety measure?¡± Skaldi strutted up to the guards and gestured by throwing his hair in the direction of the gate.

    ¡°You scared Skaldi? It¡¯s only a little dark.¡± Walking up to the beginning of the tunnel, Valiato lifted her arm to touch the shadows of it. When she did, an unnatural dark fell on her arm. ¡°Its, uh, not so spooky.¡±

    ¡°~Hmmm. I doubt they¡¯d suddenly have something bad for us waiting here.~¡± Crossing his arms, Amir walked next to Valiato and almost started walking before Bolato grabbed his shoulder.

    ¡°Wait! Where will we see the paths?¡± Asking for simple directions, Bolato hoped he would get a clarifying response.

    The guards shrugged.

    ¡°Oh¡­great.¡± Moving his hair with his thumb, Skaldi shook his head in worry.

    ¡°Well. There¡¯s not much choice.¡± Bolato pulled the redhead by his shirt and dragged him to the gate. They all hesitated for a moment, waiting for someone to start.

    Skaldi, with one shivering leg, started to walk.

    Each of their steps echoed ever so slightly, casting ever more doubt in Skaldi¡¯s mind. Why were they here? Especially with so many other people to choose from, what made them special.

    But that wasn¡¯t true, and Skaldi knew that.

    What he really wanted to know was why he was here?

    As they walked past the gate, Skaldi looked over his shoulder and saw the mass of people disappear from sight. He looked at his palm and then Bolato¡¯s, thinking on the meaning of the colors. Did red mean he wasn¡¯t going to do much? Or did it mean combat? What did the orange and green stamps mean? So many questions, so little answers.

    As they passed through the gate, the party began darkened by the shadow of the palace, still having yet to see what was ahead of them. Whatever was ahead of them, would it really be enough? Will it make them better warriors, better thieves? Will they be made tools of the Oligarchy, or something more?

    The Elf took a breath in and cleared his mind of any doubt. He had fought hard, proved he was more than what people saw of him. No Oligarch, No Tripoilan, was going to force him to kneel.

    He was going to take control of what he could, and he would count on the others to do the rest.

    When Skaldi exitted, he found himself in a tiny room. Glowing a soft gold yellow, there were diamonds that light like torches and a single chandelier. The oddest thing about the room was the man and the desk.

    The man and the desk were strangely unmatching the colors of the room. Both of them are grayish blue, and somber looking. Everything else looked glorious and shiny. What else threw Skaldi off was where everyone else was.

    And what I mean, is that Skaldi was alone.

    ¡°What the-¡± As he turned around, he saw that there was no tunnel behind him. Neither were Bolato, Amir, or Valiato. Not even a door or a hole. Just another wall, not any different from the others in the room.

    ¡°How did I-¡±

    ¡°Soul Gem.¡± The man spoke and Skaldi shifted to see him. This man was the least flattering Iozian stereotype possible.

    With a light gray stubble, his mouth looked unhappy and dry. He wore Iozian armor but very loosely, and not like the guards from before. The helmet he wore covered his eyes, so Skaldi wasn¡¯t sure if the man was looking at him or somewhere else.

    He was slightly muscular, but he reeked of dirt and sweat. And in his hand was a long pot and ladle. As the man took the ladle, he opened his mouth and poured a purple wine into it. While Skaldi was disgusted by this man, he knew he was probably the only one who knew the way out.

    ¡°Uh¡­ what Soul Gem?¡± Skaldi politely asked, unable to conceal his disturbance.

    ¡°A Soul Gem. That¡¯s how you got in this room.¡± The man pointed with his ladle and continued to drink more of the wine.

    ¡°...of course. Now then.¡± Marching up to the man and his desk, Skaldi laid his hands flat on the desk. ¡°How do I get out?¡±

    ¡°Well, you¡¯re going to need to answer a series of questionnaires, along with a test, as well as a citizenship test.¡± The man placed the pot gently beside him before throwing a massive stack of paper right at Skaldi. ¡°Then you¡¯ll be able to start training.¡±

    Skaldi managed to catch it but he immediately regretted it as he toppled down from its surprising weight.

    ¡°...uh¡­ I only kind of know how to read? Can I get someone to help me or?¡± Heaving the papers off his lap, Skaldi raised his hand begging for help.

    If you encounter this tale on Amazon, note that it''s taken without the author''s consent. Report it. ¡°Reading is essential to this program, son. Along with strength.¡± The man didn¡¯t bother to help Skaldi up, simply continuing to drink more wine from the pot.

    Dropping the papers back on the desk, Skaldi stared down the papers. Like a white mountain ahead of him, Skaldi gulped and grabbed a random sheet.

    ¡°Self reliance, I assume?¡± Searching for a chair, Skaldi talked in the direction of the man.

    ¡°Indeed. That is the lesson. Along with reading.¡± Throwing a stool at Skaldi, the man did it in one motion before drinking again.

    ¡°...goodie.¡± Kicking the stool upright, Skaldi sat down and started to go through the papers. The man rolled a pen over to him and thus, Skaldi read through the various papers.

    Most were waivers, about health and safety and how Oligarch Graham wasn¡¯t liable to their deaths so long as they signed. You know, boring stuff.

    ¡°Well, I¡¯m glad Graham is making sure he isn¡¯t responsible for¡­ spontaneous combustion and us being atomized.¡± Rolling his eyes as he read the many things that could kill him during training, Skaldi proceeded ahead with the papers.

    ¡°Hey, you never know when that could happen.¡± The man pointed at Skaldi before poking him on his forehead.

    ¡°Does it?¡± Slapping his hand away, Skaldi asked with a bit of worry.

    ¡°More than you think.¡± Resting back in his seat, the man smiled sadistically. Recoiling from this answer, Skaldi wondered if he should ask another question.

    ¡°...Do people survive being atomized?¡± He instantly regretted asking that question, knowing that the answer wasn¡¯t going to calm him down.

    ¡°More than you think!¡±

    The more interesting ones were about personal history. Not because Skaldi had to fill it in, but because they already knew so much about him and his friends.

    Of course, most exactly details weren¡¯t correct. The paper about himself had him listed as taller than Amir, which Skaldi couldn¡¯t help but to laugh at. However, he was surprised to see that they knew about his relationship with his family and the Galtian tribe.

    But there were only a few people who knew that, and most of his friends didn¡¯t seem like they¡¯d talk about it. Except for one, Skaldi knew. Turning to the back of the page, he saw a familiar blue haired friend.

    ¡°Wait a minute? You know about Potenti?¡± Lifting a paper, he saw the image of his old friend. Although he did care about her, never did he think that she was going to be recorded for his sake.

    ¡°The other elf lady? Yeah. She¡¯s actually in the army now. That¡¯s also how we know a lot about what happened in Fort Jao. Nice job, by the way.¡± Leisurely going over the details, the man set down the pot and flipped through some of the pages.

    ¡°Then why are you having me going through this?¡± Dropping his head slightly, Skaldi looked through his eyelashes at the man. He still didn¡¯t get it, why the stamps, why his party in particular.

    ¡°You¡¯ll find out soon enough.¡± Leaning back in his chair, the man closed his eyes.

    Believing he¡¯ll find no answers from him, Skaldi scoffed and continued to sign and go through the papers.

    ¡°...why us?¡± He said softly, not believing in himself.

    The hours dragged on, with Skaldi getting closer and closer to finishing all the papers. His fingers felt sore from writing, his eye weak from staring, and his head was heavy from reading. Skaldi hardly cared anymore, only wanting to get this done. Whatever training that was ahead of him, he didn¡¯t think it would be worth it.

    Everytime he looked on his paper, he saw the many injuries and mistakes he had made. His drunkenness, his anger, how he treated Vega when he first met her. All of it stabbed his heart every time he looked back.

    ¡°...this sucks¡­¡± Letting his head fall on the desk, Skaldi rested for a bit. He relaxed his hand and dropped the pencil, and closed his eye.

    He waited for the man to do something. To chastise him for taking a break, to give him some kind of surprise. But he really seemed to be asleep.

    Pushing himself up, Skaldi looked at the man and his pot of wine. He half wanted to chug all of it and go into a drunken slumber, and half wanted to throw it at the man for giving him all this asinine work.

    Grabbing the mouth of the pot, he nearly lifted it off the ground, but he let it go and started to pace around.

    The Elf felt alone. Not only because he didn¡¯t know where his friends were, but where he stood. Stood on the level to the others he saw before.

    He wasn¡¯t strong like Bolato, he wasn¡¯t as cunning as Amir, and he wasn¡¯t as fast as Valiato. As he brushed his hair, he felt his eyepatch and his lost eye. Slowly taking it off, he felt a weight come off.

    His mind went to Vega, of her struggle. Of the Voice that always talked down to her, always humiliated her.

    But that wasn¡¯t the voice in Skaldi¡¯s head.

    Rather, it was Skaldi talking down to himself.

    From his parents, from the Iozians, from Runtaii. The voices from outside had always insulted him, for who he was and who he chose to be.

    But Skaldi? He had become his worst enemy. Because he knew all of his own weaknesses.

    ¡°...maybe that¡¯s why.¡± Standing wide and firm, Skaldi tilted his head at the man. The man was sour, odd, and hardly gave Skaldi much respect. Maybe that¡¯s the test.

    Instead of a test of knowledge, it was a test of will. To keep going. For him to look on all that had happened and instead of wincing and regretting, but smiling.

    ¡°Huh. Skaldi, you are one big fool.¡± Putting his eyepatch back on, he sat down and finished the last paper. If they wanted to break Skaldi¡¯s will, they would have to do more than that. He looked over it all, the stories of his friends and their histories. Of how much they¡¯ve done.

    ¡°Strength isn¡¯t just muscle and bone. When really, it''s the bonds you make with people.¡± He told himself and he knew it was true. He imagined Vega, doing her best despite what had been inflicted on her. So he would do the same.

    ¡°I and Vega were born like this. Look at how far we¡¯ve come. We have something to prove, something to be.¡± Seeing the distance they have made, the journeys that were still ahead of them. Ani Arma wasn¡¯t going to best them, Skaldi wouldn¡¯t let that happen. ¡°And that¡¯s why I guarantee you''ll never win.¡±

    ¡°...hhuh? What?¡± Suddenly waking up, the man fell backwards and sent the pot of wine crashing. Forgetting that someone else was still in the room, Skaldi blushed in embarrassment.

    ¡°Oh uh¡­ hi?¡±

    ¡°What happened? What are ya¡­ huh?¡± The man, still half asleep, didn¡¯t have a clue what Skaldi was doing. Breathing in and clearing his throat, Skaldi got ready.

    ¡°I¡¯m done. I¡¯ve finished.¡± Crossing his arms proudly, Skaldi waited for the man to rise up.

    ¡°What? No you¡¯re not, you still have to-¡±

    ¡°Listen.¡± Grabbing the man by his shirt collar, Skaldi made the man yelp in shock. Even though Skaldi was much shorter than him, he knew he commanded the situation.

    ¡°I know what you¡¯re doing here. You¡¯re trying to get on my nerves.¡± With a strong gaze, Skaldi let the man know what was up.

    Smiling, the man relaxed and his demeanor changed. From a lazy and gross soldier to a calm and almost regal elegance.

    ¡°...understood. Son, who are you? And what do you have to prove?¡± His voice was smooth, as if he were built to rule. Skaldi felt it, now would begin his path to the future.

    ¡°I am Skaldi! And I¡¯m the strongest man you¡¯ll ever face!¡±

 Chapter 84: To Cast A Spell! (Part 1!)

    Chapter 84: To Cast A Spell! (Part 1!)

    The echoing, scratchy strings of her guitar bounced off each wall of the tower. The sounds flew, descended, and soared around like a bird. The scarecrow, deciding to stay back, was making a soundtrack for something. Something she hadn¡¯t seen before.

    Krimm was fighting Sorbet.

    ¡°You¡¯re holding it too firm.¡± Bashing her poleaxe upward, Krimm easily broke her guard and poked her in the belly.

    ¡°Ouch! Why did you-¡± Immediately after, Krimm sent her elbow into her chest, knocking her off balance. Falling to the ground, Sorbet hardly managed to even back up and roll backwards.

    The arena they were fighting in was crafted out of the corner of the garden, which itself had changed to accommodate them all. However even with the great amount of space, Sorbet was being trapped.

    Each of Krimm¡¯s strikes carried into the other, with a brutal flow. Sitting down and watching the session unfold, Florato and Vega looked on with mixed reactions.

    The actress wasn¡¯t one for violence, but this session upset her ever so slightly. Not because Krimm was being cruel, although it could be argued at times. But because Sorbet along with herself were outclassed by the other warriors in their team.

    ¡°Jeez, can¡¯t you give her a break?¡± Florato yelled out, cupping her hands around her mouth. Shocked that Sorbet was still going, she winced every time she got hit. Which was a lot.

    ¡°Don¡¯t, ahh! Don¡¯t worry about me! I¡¯m fine!¡± Barely able to duck around Krimm¡¯s spear, Sorbet put on a fake smile. Clearly she was hurting, and yet she still kept going. Not even she knew why.

    ¡°...How could we stand a chance?¡± Letting her hands fall to her knees, Florato couldn¡¯t imagine defeating Ani Arma.

    And as you might suspect, Vega was having the time of her life. Playing a fast paced and exciting song, she rooted for Sorbet and cheered for her.

    ¡°Sorbet! She¡¯s the one, she¡¯s the one!¡± Her singing was soft and slow compared to her guitar strings, but it melted perfectly against it. Like grapes and strawberries.

    What wasn¡¯t perfect was Sorbet fighting, as she had now been driven to running away.

    ¡°Almost! Ow! I almost gotcha that time!¡± Running around like a dog was chasing her, Sorbet yelped as Krimm kept poking her in the butt. It was funny.

    ¡°Sorbet, you can deflect attacks. Use your attacks to redirect my strikes.¡± Giving her a moment to breath, Krimm pulled back her spear and began to charge.

    ¡°Sorbet, she¡¯s the one!¡± Vega cried out, just as Sorbet managed to block Krimm thrust. Pushing off Krimm¡¯s spear, she managed to snag the axe underneath her foot.

    ¡°Yes!¡± Pulling back, Sorbet tripped Krimm and actually got her to fall back. Now on the offensive, she went after Krimm without delay.

    Seeing what was about to come, Florato held her hands over her eyes.

    ¡°Vega, I don¡¯t think she can-¡±

    ¡°Come on, give-give her a chance. All she needs is just a little encouragement!¡± Wagging her finger and speaking with kindness, Vega wanted Florato to calm herself.

    And just a few seconds later, Sorbet tumbled to the ground in a roll, face down.

    ¡°...bruh¡­¡± Sorbet groaned out. Standing on top of her back in victory, Krimm gave a sadistic smile, one not unlike when she had when fighting Vega.

    ¡°Krimm. Off. Now.¡± Putting her guitar aside, Vega spoke like she was speaking to a disobedient child.

    ¡°Fine.¡± Stepping off her, Krimm hoisted Sorbet up with one arm. Shaking her to dust her off, she let go and Sorbet sat defeated on the ground.

    ¡°Are you alright? Anything bruised?¡± Florato got up from her seat and started to massage her. Her eyebrows bent in worry.

    ¡°I¡¯m good. My butt is sore, that''s all.¡± Gently stretching out, Sorbet gave a tired but genuine smile.

    ¡°Be glad we were using wooden weapons. Real ones, and you would have died when we started.¡± Krimm picked up Sorbet¡¯s dropped axe and placed it back on the rack of others. Most of them had to be bought from the city, but Krimm managed to craft a few out of the rubble.

    ¡°Can¡¯t you go easier on her? She only just started.¡± Florida lifted Sorbet up and handed her a cup of water which she drank immediately.

    ¡°I actively did. We only have five more months ahead of us. We have to train and we have to train hard if we want to stand a chance of defeating Ani.¡± Krimm strutted up to Florato, not caring about going easy.

    ¡°Still, you can at least make sure Sorbet is fine after the fight.¡± Florato crossed her arms and turned away, walking back to her seat.

    Gritting her teeth, Krimm was getting ready to say something and something mean.

    Rubbing her bandage nose, Vega sensed this was going to break into a larger argument.

    ¡°Guys! Guys, let¡¯s calm down. We don¡¯t have to fight over this. Let¡¯s just relax. Hey Florato, why don¡¯t we go on a-¡±

    ¡°Walk? Thank you, but no. I¡¯ll go get started on the next batch of manuscripts.¡± Walking away shyly, Florato went over the desks with the papers stacked high.

    ¡°Krimm, do ya-¡±

    ¡°No. I¡¯m going to help out with the rebuild. I still have to help fix a couple aqueducts today. I¡¯ll¡­ see you later.¡± Also giving Vega the cold shoulder, Krimm wandered out of the garden and into the hall, disappearing in the dark.The tale has been taken without authorization; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident.

    Her heart felt a bit torn. She understood why both of them were upset, but she knew there was more at stake than this squabble. Sure, they could use their space, but they shouldn¡¯t end on such a harsh note. Letting her hands drop to her side, Vega looked down at the ground, seeing a tiny crack in the floor.

    ¡°Hey. I¡¯d like to go on a walk?¡± A small hand touched her shoulder, and Sorbet entered the side of her eyes. Though exhausted and a bit sweaty, she spoke and smiled warmly.

    ¡°Sure. I think-think that¡¯d be good.¡±

    Going to the only ice cream parlor nearby, they had to pass by many streets for repairs. The reason this parlor had survived was because the street was flooded and now was a permanent pool, which many people took advantage of.

    Sitting by the lip of the pool, Vega and Sorbet relaxed on long chairs, enjoying the rays of the sun. Not too far from them, kids played ball in the pool, laughing as they did.

    Since Vega could not eat the ice cream (she had gotten a rice pudding), she simply held it up so Kaliba could. The crow¡¯s pecks spilled a lot of it everywhere, but Vega hardly minded.

    What she did mind was Krimm and Florato. Even when relaxing, she was thinking about their little fight. Her eyes stayed tracked on two pebbles in the pool, shaking every time someone splashed around or swam near. Only when the water was still, did the pebbles stay together.

    ¡°Ice cream is, like, the greatest thing in the world. I think money is a good second.¡± Sorbet had already gotten started on her fourth ice cream cone, stacking up the others in a little pyramid.

    ¡°Sorbet. How did the Oligarchs bring people together?¡± Vega didn¡¯t move her head, only looking at the pebbles.

    ¡°Hmm? Why do you ask?¡± Lowering her ice cream from her mouth, Sorbet turned to see Vega.

    ¡°Oligarch Graham, the guy-guy that invited Skaldi and everyone, he got their attention so easily. Oligarch Glatrix, that ass-asshole, managed a ton of soldiers during the defense. How do I-I do that?¡± Vega¡¯s voice broke slightly, worried that this argument might spiral into more. It wasn¡¯t that she was hopeless, but she had no clue what to do.

    ¡°Money-money?¡± Kaliba offered a solution, though as morally dubious and likely to work as setting someone on fire.

    ¡°I mean, I do technically pay-pay Florato. But I doubt either of them will listen to gold.¡± Vega patted her belly, making the coins jingle inside.

    This social dilemma also seemed to be posing a problem for Sorbet. Sitting up and finishing her ice cream in two bites, she got into a vague thinking pose. This was less about thinking and more like looking like she was in deep thought.

    Not wanting to be left behind, Vega mimicked her pose with even more exaggeration.

    ¡°...what are we doing?¡± Sorbet realized how silly this was.

    ¡°I don¡¯t know. I just wish Krimm hadn¡¯t been such-such an ass to ya while ya were training. I can keep up with her, but ya can¡¯t.¡± Spinning on her seat, Vega sat directly in front of Sorbet.

    ¡°If you ask me, I don¡¯t think Krimm was being too rough.¡± Sorbet waved the event off, speaking of it in minor regard.

    ¡°She literally kicked your ass.¡± Vega put it as plainly as she could.

    ¡°Playfully! And Florato¡¯s right, she should have checked on me. But like you said, she¡¯s getting used to being around people she likes. It''s a new thing for her.¡± Sorbet¡¯s explanation made Vega back up slightly and look at her hands, realizing why Sorbet hadn¡¯t been as upset as the others.

    Even though she had been cooped up in a palace for who knows how long, she had a remarkable ability to analyze other people. Maybe it was an ability that helped to survive there, Vega thought.

    Whatever it was, Vega appreciated Sorbet a lot just then. Flashing a wide grin for a moment, she relaxed her smile and got to thinking of how to illustrate that to Krimm and Florato.

    ¡°That¡¯s a good idea. However, we need them to come together.¡±

    ¡°Cum.¡± That¡¯s all Kaliba had to add to the conversation.

    ¡°They need something to bring them together. Some¡­ project!¡± Sorbet lifted her cone like it was a sword, hurrahing in the air. The sudden jolt and huzzah made Vega think about it, then snapped her fingers in agreement.

    ¡°Not bad! But what would we do¡­¡± Falling back into her seat, Vega rested her arms under her head, as if trying to support any creative thought.

    For the past two weeks, the work they had made on the manuscripts and the papers was steady, revealing much of the purpose for the tower. Not only this, but what Soul Gems were inside Jantok Sky, and how they could be used.

    ¡°Have-have any ideas? Because right now I¡¯m tapped. Reading all those papers and histories has got my head-head in a knot.¡± Groaning, Vega shook her head, unable to come up with anything. This work had become a major brain drain.

    ¡°Hmmm¡­ what about-¡±

    ¡°Ice cream?¡± Disappointed but expecting it, Vega looked at Sorbet with half closed eyes.

    ¡°¡­I was going to say sorbet?¡± Sorbet was a bad liar.

    ¡°Food isn¡¯t going to fix this, but hey-hey, who knows. How about some gambling? Let¡¯s go gambling!¡± Vega imagined rolling some dice with Valiato, like old times.

    ¡°I think Krimm would take that too seriously and Florato would probably cheat.¡± Finishing the ice cream, Sorbet attempted to stack the cone but her pyramid collapsed.

    ¡°Just because she¡¯s an actress doesn¡¯t mean she¡¯s good-good at lying.¡± Vega gestured with her finger, of which Sorbet recoiled from.

    ¡°B-but still, they won¡¯t want to do that. They¡¯ll think it''s pointless.¡± Shrugging, she knew that they wouldn¡¯t come together over games.

    ¡°Ah, you¡¯re right-right. Dang it!¡± Shifting in her seat, Vega couldn¡¯t find any comfort now.

    ¡°Florato and Krimm want to do something that helps us. I¡¯m pretty sure thats why they didn¡¯t want to hang out. Are relationships supposed to be this hard?¡± Resting back on the long chair, Sorbet closed her eyes in reflection. Everything from friends and ice cream was so new to her. Was it meant to be like this?

    ¡°You¡¯re asking the wrong scarecrow.¡± Closing her eyes as well, Vega let on a mild sadness. That she too was about as used to this as Sorbet was, if not less. This wasn¡¯t a problem that could be solved by just being kind.

    ¡°Yep-yep.¡± Kaliba croaked out, putting a capstone on their conversation. Shortly after, the children playing got out of the pool and went away, their laughter gone with them. They sat there, lost for a situation that could reunite the two.

    Vega knew that if they were goofing off, they¡¯d be wasting their time and they wouldn¡¯t come together. They needed something they could focus on, have some tactical benefit, along with being collaborative and creative.

    Just then, Sorbet proposed a thought that would lead to the development of their friendship.

    Along¡­ with Vega¡¯s magics.

    ¡°¡­how about Ani Arma?¡± Speaking as if it were a forbidden Sorbet, she said it out in the air instead in the direction of Vega.

    ¡°What?¡± Opening her eyes suddenly, Vega gazed at Sorbet¡¯s calm face.

    ¡°Besides Krimm and you, we don''t know who Ani Arma is and what he even looks like. Maybe you guys could, uh, show us!¡± Turning on her side and glad Vega didn¡¯t find the idea stupid, Sorbet let out an excited voice.

    Rubbing her nose in thought, Vega''s eyes widened with realization. This was perfect! Breaking down Ani Arma, his weaknesses, and what they could do to combat him! Excellent at preparing for him, as well as having fun coming up with strategies.

    ¡°Maybe even do some-some arts and crafts! That¡¯s a good idea! Let¡¯s go!¡± Leaping from her chair, Vega dove and scooped up Sorbet into a carry. Racing over to a nearby shop, she got ready to bring her friends back together.

    The scarecrow practically glowed with newfound courage.

 Chapter 84: To Cast A Spell! (Part 2!)

    Chapter 84: To Cast A Spell! (Part 2!)

    ¡°Wait, so who is Ani Arma again?¡± Sitting a far distance from Krimm, Florato raised her hand.

    ¡°Alright, let me start again!¡± Not discouraged by them not following her lesson, Vega raised her talking stick back to the chalkboard.

    Having turned the workplace into a school house, there were a great many chairs and desks arranged for each person. Despite there only technically being three students, Vega had filled the empty seats with plushies of her friends.

    ¡°Ani Arma, the Patriarch of Clan Adildaque, is our opponent.¡± Pointing out to a fierce yet childish doodle of him, Vega sought to illustrate his history. Using magnets to pin the papers up, she provided sources confirming what they knew.

    ¡°Right.¡± Florato underlined a few of her notes, tapping her lips with a pencil. ¡°And he¡¯s a-¡±

    ¡°An asshole?¡± Sorbet stood up in her seat, enthusiastically.

    ¡°Yes, but wait your turn.¡± Tapping her head with the stick, Vega made Sorbet bow her head.

    ¡°Uh, Ani Arma is a sorcerer?¡± Florato kept most of sight on her notes, only glancing at Vega for confirmation.

    ¡°Not only that, he is the sorcerer! As in, the only non magical being that has been-been shown to use magic without the aid of celestial beings.¡± Much of Vega¡¯s knowledge of him was based on the encrypted notes Kaliber had left behind. And much of it was just scathing insults.

    At times, Vega had to take a grain of salt when translating them, since she was sure at least half were exaggerations. Although she hated the guy, Kaliber absolutely fucking loathed Ani Arma.

    ¡°The only human able to do that?¡± Florato thought it through for a bit, before realizing Krimm and Sorbet were staring at her. ¡°Oh! Sorry, I mean sentient being.¡±

    ¡°That¡¯s better.¡± Krimm closed her eyes and leaned back in her chair.

    ¡°What else can he do?¡± Sorbet asked Krimm who only lifted an eye open and shrugged.

    ¡°Neat¡­ and he is able to invade dreams?¡± Backing away from her notes, Florato got a much clearer picture of who they were up against.

    ¡°And also your thoughts!  Thoughts too!¡± Sorbet gleefully added on.

    ¡°And is responsible for the destruction of numerous cities, all of the Snake Skins, as well as Operation Stomach Breaker. All that stuff.¡± Listed off all of his accomplishments like they were groceries, Krimm flipped up her fingers to number them out.

    Not liking how Krimm was treating this, Florato scoffed and glared meanly at her. Seeing this, Vega laughed nervously before moving on to her next drawing.

    A much larger, but equally as silly doodle of Ani, was what Vega pointed to next.

    ¡°Hehehe¡­anyway! From what we¡¯ve learn-learned from the papers along with my dream-dreams, we know that Ani Arma is¡­ heavily armored¡­ super smart¡­ adept of magical arts¡­ has no soul-soul¡­ has no ass¡­¡± Vega wrote down each with arrows pointing to the doodle.

    Multiple arrows pointed to Ani¡¯s lack of ass and cheeks.

    Giggling, Florato put her hand on her mouth so Vega wouldn¡¯t notice. She was surprised to see Krimm was doing the same. The moment the two saw each other, they both went stone faced.

    While making progress, they weren¡¯t going to make up that easily. Noticing this, Vega smiled and grew larger for a moment before relaxing back down.

    ¡°Now, this is part where you guys help-help me! What are some things we can do to combat him-him?¡± Vega lent out her hand, offering the talking stick to each of them. Sparing only a couple seconds, Sorbet grabbed with fast diligence.

    ¡°We can set him on fire!¡±

    ¡°Good! Fire bypasses armor. Good.¡± Vega wrote down the idea under a column named ¡®Stuff to kill Ani¡¯. ¡°Who¡¯s next?¡±

    Slowly pulling the stick out of Sorbet¡¯s hands, Krimm held it for a little bit before offering any insight.

    ¡°Draw him into a trap. Ani usually isn¡¯t without guards or Assassins, so if we separate him or trap him, it will be a hell of a lot easier.¡± Krimm slapped her palm with her stick, giddy about the idea.

    ¡°Traps? Nice. Traps are gay. I mean-mean good. Good-good!¡± Vega stuttered out, adding it to the list.

    ¡°Can I have it?¡± Florato asked Krimm, who then threw the stick into her lap. ¡°Okay, my answer is¡­ Krimm.¡±

    ¡°Hmm?¡± The Fairy turned to the actress, putting out her hand asking for clarification.

    ¡°Krimm! Her! She¡¯s the one who¡¯s actually met the guy, why can¡¯t she kill him?¡± Florato waved her stick in Krimm¡¯s direction, who squinted at her in annoyance.This story has been taken without authorization. Report any sightings.

    ¡°Yeah. Why can¡¯t you kill him?¡± Sorbet added on. Wishing to step in front of them, Vega took a step but hesitating on the thought that Krimm could explain, she didn¡¯t continue.

    ¡°You weren¡¯t here for this, but I have a contract.¡± Taking in a short breath, Krimm sat back up and cleared her voice.

    ¡°A legally binding one?¡± Sorbet lifted her notes as an example. All she had were a couple doodles and images, which made Krimm groan.

    ¡°A legally and soul binding one. Yes.¡± The fairy did not speak with great happiness about the situation.

    ¡°So that means¡­¡± Florato tapped her lips, realizing how Krimm wasn¡¯t an option.

    ¡°I can¡¯t kill Ani even if I wanted to. Which I do, but that shit would literally drive me nuts. Also kill me.¡± Shrugging, Krimm dropped her head on the desk and rested.

    ¡°You should kill yourself, now!¡± Sorbet offered as a solution.

    ¡°Bro. Is this fucker serious? Krimm shook her head and spoke mainly to Florato and Vega.

    ¡°Uhh, Krimm is off the table! What, uh, else-else?¡± Vega sheepish held her hands to her lap.

    ¡°I think it would be better if we didn''t have doodles to work with.¡± Krimm got up from her chair and approached the chalkboard.

    ¡°Ah! That¡¯s a good idea!¡± Vega threw the talking stick overhead, happy to do something creative and less academic.

    The stick also bumped Sorbet¡¯s head. It was funny.

    ¡°You good?¡± Florato helped Sorbet from her seat, who simply answered with a smile.

    ¡°How about this? Ya guys take the descriptions of Ani from the papers and me and Krimm make our own? It will be more fun-fun together!¡± Vega handed each person a sheet of translated lines from their most recent research. Nothing was different besides what doodles Vega made in the margins.

    ¡°Yeah. That¡¯s not bad. Let¡¯s do this!¡± Sorbet cheered and each team went to their respective sides.

    Vega and Krimm, using a toppled over wall, began to graffiti two images of Ani. This was for a bit of fun, but to also put into proper perspective of what they were up against.

    Choosing to use multiple chalkboards, Sorbet and Florato made multiple sketches before committing to two depictions. This was more of an effort to make Ani understandable to themselves, crafting him from words to art.

    After an hour of effort, the teams finished their work and met back at the center. With an expected giddiness, Sorbet waved everyone over to hers.

    A tiny sculpture, made up of glued together fragments of pottery and scrap. Compared to the Jantok Sky, it was much more random and disordered. Yet, there was a lot of fun in it, with Ani¡¯s chainmail being made of red wires.

    ¡°Heh, that¡¯s pretty neat. Though, he doesn¡¯t look too intimidating.¡± Vega tapped the sculpture¡¯s head, making it bob up and down.

    ¡°Yeah, but I know everyone else is treating him like a big monster. Better to make him seem like something we can beat, you know?¡± Sorbet spoke proudly of her art direction, even if it nearly toppled over a couple times.

    ¡°No-no.¡± Kaliba flew on Sorbet¡¯s head and burped.

    ¡°I get it. But, I think mine does it a little better.¡± Gesturing everyone over to another corner, Florato led the way to her work.

    Underveiling her piece with a pulling of a curtain, Florato had a grand and almost theatrical piece. Using various paints and tiles, Florato constructed a tall fresco of Ani, posing proudly.

    Her¡¯s had a musical bobiness, like Ani was dancing to enchanting songs. Although it didn¡¯t fit the description, it kept in mind how unpredictable and odd he was. A man that always dressed in armor that looked alive.

    Everyone gave approving grunts and nods, except for Sorbet.

    ¡°He looks¡­fruity?¡± Sorbet spoke unsurely.

    ¡°Like Skaldi?¡± Krimm said.

    ¡°Like Skaldi?¡± Florato said.

    ¡°Like Skaldi?¡± Kaliba said.

    ¡°Like me?¡± Vega pointed to herself, and everyone stared at her for a moment. Oh, like-like Skaldi?¡±

    ¡°No, like he¡¯s full of juice¡­. That sounds weird now that I said it.¡± Covering her eyes in embarrassment, Sorbet regretted bringing up juice.

    ¡°Juicy¡­ that¡¯s not an inaccurate description. I¡¯ll take it!¡± Florato threw her hair over her shoulder, happy with their reactions.

    ¡°Whatever, let¡¯s just go to mine.¡± Krimm pulled Sorbet by the back of her dress and waved everyone over. She simply pointed hers out and moved out the way, not giving much presentation.

    Krimm¡¯s skill with drawing was a lot less sophisticated, but got a more realistic picture of who Ani was. She used individual bricks with parts painted over and swapped around, making Ani look like an upside down pyramid.

    And for some reason, it didn¡¯t look too silly and got what she saw across.  A real ruler that valued results over showmanship. Proud, but not so much a performer.

    ¡°Yeah. I got this done pretty quickly, so I know it kind of sucks.¡± Krimm turned around and looked at everyone else¡¯s art.

    ¡°Ya kidding? This is pretty cool. I like his shape-shape.¡± Vega stepped right beside the wall, seeing the craftsmanship on the placements.

    ¡°Aw, now I wish I did a wall painting instead. Still, pretty nice.¡± Sorbet joined right beside Vega.

    Florato had to admit there was plenty of work put into it, even if it was a little messy. Regardless, she approached Krimm and gave her a soft pat on the shoulder.

    ¡°Not bad.¡± Florato commended her softly before following Vega. Krimm felt a little warmer and realized that the others actually liked it. A tiny smile came to her face and she walked over to Vega¡¯s section.

    ¡°Alright folks, I worked real hard-hard on this. So I want ya to close ya eye-eyes. Kay?¡± Vega stopped everyone from turning the corner, for it had been a large sheet of paper on the adjacent wall.

    ¡°Gay?¡± Sorbet asked for clarification.

    ¡°Why does everyone say that?¡± Krimm shook her head in confusion, before closing her eyes.

    ¡°Probably because half the group is some type of gay.¡± Florato shrugged and then followed suit.

    ¡°Ya know, it''s weird no one has yet to point that out-out yet-yet.¡± Vega rubbed her bandage nose, thinking how odd it sort of was. ¡°But then again, we do have two elfs and a scarecrow, so that¡¯s also weird-weird.¡±

    ¡°Really? I thought it was just a point of entry for being in the group.¡± Closing her eyes, Sorbet turned to the sound of Vega¡¯s voice.

    ¡°Shush!¡± Grabbing their hands one at a time, Vega moved them over to the front of the drawing.

    With a bated breath, everyone waited for Vega¡¯s signal. A faint excited built up, ready to see her picture of Ani.

    ¡°Now.¡± A cold, deadly voice spoke. It was Vega¡¯s, and so everyone opened them.

    There he was. Ani Arma, rendered on paper and depicted. A hollow feeling came to everyone¡¯s stomachs, as they saw him. Not a vague picture or doodle, but him on paper.

    The drawing Vega surprisingly lacked a lot of color, only having grey and red, which made everyone feel off. Most of her drawings were vibrant and lively, but this was terrible and threatening.

    Like a tree that¡¯s too straight and sharp. Or a rock too soft and weak. Or a heart that beats too fast and too hard.

    Or a hate that smiles.

    Something that shouldn¡¯t be so.

 Chapter 84: To Cast A Spell! (Part 3!)

    Chapter 84: To Cast A Spell! (Part 3!)

    Of the many worries people have, being confronted with an unavoidable peril is one of them. Like death, like embarrassment, like not being satisfied with how your face looks in the mirror.

    Just me? Darn.

    But how does one manage such a worry? One that cannot be forgotten or erased?

    Simple. You cast a spell.

    This artwork, this terribly accurate and gorgeous artwork Vgea had made was such a spell.

    An unintentional one.

    One that was an illusion. A mimic of the real being. One that came so close to the real deal that your jaw dropped and skin went cold from.

    ¡°...holy shit¡­¡± Krimm couldn¡¯t help but to say, feeling utter helplessness when in front of the image. The eyes went deep in her organs, like a needle tearing up a doll instead of repairing it.

    ¡°What? What¡¯s wrong?¡± Vega¡¯s normal and odd voice broke the tension rather easily, like everyone had suddenly stopped talking when you told a funny joke.

    Also just me? Fuck.

    ¡°...uh¡­sorry, what is that?¡± Shaking her head, Florato backed away from the drawing, not wishing to stare at it anymore.

    ¡°It¡¯s just Ani. Well, I suppose his head-head is too big. But then again, that makes sense-sense to him. Heh!¡± Vega analyzed her drawing for any other flaws, but couldn¡¯t help but to admire her piece.

    ¡°Wait a second.¡± Sorbet walked right beside Vega, keeping her eyes covered with just her hands.

    ¡°Hmm?¡± Kaliba croaked out, either too dumb or too drunk to understand what was wrong.

    ¡°The blood. There¡¯s blood.¡± Sorbet pointed to Ani¡¯s hand, of with the color appeared just a little too thick, almost like bulging veins.

    ¡°I didn¡¯t even notice that. Ew¡­¡± Krimm joined Florato in turning away.

    ¡°Yeah. I should probably get rid-rid of that.¡± Vega flicked her head, ashamed that she made such a choice.

    ¡°It''s not that. We¡­we don¡¯t have that color.¡± Sorbet gestured over to the table of art equipment they had bought earlier. There were many brushes, paints, glues, and crayons they had bought. But none the color that was on the drawing Vega had made.

    ¡°Huh. She¡¯s right.¡± Florato checked the whole table, not finding one the same.

    ¡°Oh. Don¡¯t worry-worry, it¡¯s my blood-blood!¡± Acting like nothing was the matter, Vega pointed at her arm, which was now bleeding.

    Yes. She was bleeding.

    ¡°How?¡±

    ¡°How?!¡±

    ¡°I don¡¯t know. I think I cut myself using one of the scissors and I started bleeding. Then I thought, hey wouldn¡¯t this look good-good on Ani?¡±

    ¡°Are you okay? Are you hurt?¡± Florato ran up to Vega and immediately used one of the papers as a bandage.

    ¡°I¡¯m fine! I¡¯m fine! I¡¯m pretty sure I stopped bleeding a while ago so-¡±

    ¡°This is not normal.¡± Florato breathed out a sigh of relief, seeing the last of the blood trickle down. As the blood passed, she saw Vega¡¯s wooden arm and was glad that it hadn¡¯t turned into muscle or something weird like that.

    ¡°It isn¡¯t. In fact, this is magic!¡± Announcing like it was a big discovery (which it was but come on), Sorbet leapt up in the air and cheered.

    ¡°If people cheered when I bled, there would be less people cheering.¡± Krimm said sinsterly.

    ¡°S-sorry, I got really excited just there.¡± Bowing down, Sorbet relaxed and rolled her enthusiasm back.

    ¡°Magic? But I thought it would work with only Soul¡­¡± Vega got to thinking and remembered. Of her Soul Gem. She had used the string on the guitar and the fountain. But of her head, the Soul Gem in her head.

    How did it affect the drawing?

    What happened to this Soul of her¡¯s?

    All questions Vega had. But she didn¡¯t know quite how to answer beyond the vagueness of ¡®its magic¡¯. This frustrated her, but also concerned her. Looking back towards the painting, Vega wondered if there was a memory she pulled from. A memory that wasn¡¯t her own. Her eyebrows bent and she whimpered slightly, her eyes bouncing from each part of Ani.The narrative has been taken without permission. Report any sightings.

    The worst part was that it worried her friends.

    Magic hurt her friends.

    ¡°Well, it¡¯s probably because you mimicked someone.¡± Sorbet said like a totally fucking nerd.

    ¡°Huh?¡± Vega broke out of her contemplative stupor.

    ¡°You mimicked a person. Like a scare crow. You might have not meant to do that, but you still did it.¡± Sorbet shuddered slightly from the painting, before placing a hand on Vega¡¯s head.

    ¡°You know¡­ that is actually kind of smart.¡± Krimm tried to come up with a mean remark, but was remarkably stumped. Where the entire day she spent kicking Sorbet¡¯s ass and teaching her, this time Sorbet had absolutely schooled her.

    ¡°Ha. Funny pun. Yeah, I think she¡¯s right about it. It¡¯s magic, not of emotion or memory. Not even music! But of¡­ mimicry.¡± Florato cracked her back, able to unstiffen her posture after such an event.

    A mimic. A mimic of Ani.

    Rather, using Ani Arma against himself.

    Vega wondered about it. How they were looking at it from the lens of themselves, when they should be seeing it from his realm. With what he¡¯s working with. What he¡¯s capable of.

    ¡°You know maybe this could be it¡­¡± Vega wandered out to the light of a nearby window.

    ¡°Be what?¡± Krimm took a look back at the board, at everything they had came up with to defeat Ani. The list appeared small, only having fires, traps, and Vega there.

    ¡°The key. At least one key-key. To beat him.¡± As she came up to this window, Vega looked out at the city.

    ¡°By painting stuff that looks like him?¡± Florato scoffed, thinking surface level.

    ¡°No, she means him!¡± Sorbet got up next to Vega, exactly matching her thought.

    ¡°Precisely. I mean, everytime he has an upper hand, a plan or a person throws him off. Before, it was Runtaii and the Blight Elves. But now¡­ its himself.¡± Vega smiled, glad to have figured out a proper means to defeat him.

    ¡°To you mean in the abstract or-?¡± Florato asked before Vega pulled something out of her chest.

    A thin booklet, one that she had made ever since she last seen Skull.

    ¡°This is Skull!¡± Vega flipped through the book, stopping on the image of the shadowy construct.

    ¡°Wait¡­ is that a boy?¡± Florato said very confused.

    ¡°Yeah, so?¡±

    ¡°...nothing.¡± Florato had a great suspecting smile on her face, of which Vega didn¡¯t like.

    ¡°Whatever! He helped me out a few times during the dream. Ani said-said something about the Black Box. That it was the key to defeat-feat Ani?¡± Vega handed the booklet over to them and each took a look.

    ¡°Feet? He likes feet?¡± Sorbet squinted at the booklet.

    ¡°Gods I hope not.¡± Krimm shivered upon thinking about it.

    ¡°I already don¡¯t like the sound of this boy.¡± Florato¡¯s smile fell into a concerned frown.

    ¡°No, I mean, it might be a weakness.¡± Vega proposed it, of which everyone gasped lightly.

    ¡°And Ani just told you that, because?¡± Florato wished to make sure it was confirmed.

    ¡°Because he wants me to challenge him. To prove myself. How much of a warrior, nay, a killer you are!¡± Vega put on a mocking voice and pompous moments to capture what Ani Arma was like, mimicking him very well.

    ¡°Wait, he sounds like that?¡± Sorbet snickered when hearing Vega¡¯s impression

    Hehehehe. Neat.¡± Florato became ever more comfortable.

    ¡°It is neat. However, what if Ani is lying to you?¡± Handing the booklet back to Vega, Krimm spoke with a greater distance.

    ¡°Lying about the box. That could be true¡­¡± Vega was prepared to consider the possibilities, but she really didn¡¯t like. Especially since Skull was the only one who could help supply information, aside from the Tower.

    ¡°I haven¡¯t talked to him too much, but I know he¡¯s planning something.¡± Wandering back over to the drawing, Krimm could tolerate the image only slightly. But it kept the idea in her mind that Ani was either watching or planning something else.

    ¡°¡­he had me go here to put the box away. Jantok Sky and give it to Tibato. Maybe he was-was going to collect it later.¡± Vega gave a minor idea and shrugged. She hardly believed it herself, but that''s all she could give right now

    ¡°Would it hurt to still get it? What if he¡¯s telling the truth? I hate to say this, but I think he actually wants to fight Vega now!¡± Florato shrugged, gauging that Ani had a greater motivation for Vega.

    ¡°He might want to fight her, sure! But we don¡¯t have any clue of what the box could be!¡± Throwing her fist into the wall, the drawing ripped everso, as Krimm yelled, surprising and startling everyone.

    Her voice broke slightly.

    Her eyes shifted uneasily.

    And just for a moment, everyone saw how worried Krimm was. That she had no good plan beside fighting. That all options are forfeit.

    That there¡¯s no plan that they had.

    The Scarecrow, in that instant, found one.

    ¡°I know someone who might.¡± Her calm voice cooled the air like a soft wind. ¡°There was a trader, a Luicloses guy, who said that the box-box was meant for someone here. An Oligarch.¡±

    ¡°...That¡¯s right, I remember when you said back in Core Civitus. You think its one of the three here?¡± Florato pointed her finger out the window, towards a military encampment.

    ¡°Oligarch Tibato was talking about an Oligarch Kani Faitos Ruto? How he kicked him out?¡± Sorbet joined the two, trying to confirm.

    ¡°Right, that¡¯s what Tibato said too! We should go ask him!¡± Running up to Krimm, Vega came to her side and gestured her to join them.

    ¡°...Hmm.¡± Krimm tapped on her cheek in thought. For a moment, her worry rose then fell. ¡°...Beats me, but it doesn¡¯t hurt to try.¡±

    ¡°Good¡­Who wants to go-go?¡± Turning to the three, Vega waited for an answer.

    Krimm and Florato stared at each other for a moment. Their eyes met and stayed there for a while. Their thoughts were aligned and each looked at Sorbet and Vega for the same amount of time. Nodding, they knew what must be done.

    ¡°We two will go¡± Florato gave Krimm a sour glare, of which the fairy sighed.

    ¡°Yeah¡­ I think that¡¯s best.¡± Krimm nodded her head, unballing her fist.

    ¡°Wait, really?¡± Sorbet asked.

    ¡°Really-really?¡± Vega asked, with feeling this time.

    ¡°You guys are the only ones who know about magic. I think its best we two take care of it while you guys test out Vega¡¯s Soul Gems.¡± Florato said matter of fact like.

    ¡°Plus, you¡¯ll have each other for company¡­ I think?¡± Krimm sounded unsure, hoping that Vega would be okay with less people around.

    ¡°You guys¡­ have fun. And don¡¯t spend all the gold in one place!¡± Florato said cheerfully, before waving Krimm to follow her out.

    Sheepish stopping to give Vega a thumbs up, Krimm smiled. Even if there was a little goofing and scares in this day, she felt like they got something done that they made progress.

    Maybe the real magic is the friends we made along the way.

    God I am such a fucking dork.

 Free Art + Family Break!

    Hello everyone, Century Robot here.

    My family just came over and I¡¯ve been having a lot of fun. HOWEVER, as you might expect, it has left me not too much time to write.

    Sorry fellas. I legit actually wanted to write this next couple chapters, but in my defense, rock climbing with your brother is a ton of fun.Stolen content alert: this content belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences.

    it won¡¯t be long! I will be back on the 24th.

    To keep you guys company, I want to show some art!

    I¡¯ve been running a Free Art Thread for a bit, of which you guys can check some of it out, along with making requests!

    You can see the rest here!

    https://www.royalroad.com/forums/thread/145321?page=1

    Remember, the best is yet to come!

 Chapter 85: Nevermind the Darkness (Part 1!)

    Chapter 85: Nevermind the Darkness (Part 1!)

    Nevermind the darkness¡­

    Nevermind the storm¡­

    Nevermind the blood red moon¡­

    The night will be over soon¡­

    Hello¡­ I believe we¡¯ve met before. Or at least, you might have heard things about me. You might have met a certain scarecrow before¡­ might have been a friend to them.

    I¡¯m here to tell you that this will be a mistake. A mistake that will cost you dearly. Or, will cost someone you love dearly. For now, whatever you do, don¡¯t panic.

    It¡¯s not time.

    For soon, you will be mine!

    With a soft screech, Skaldi awoke in his bedroll, freezing in his own sweat. Searching for the one that was speaking, he took a single dagger from his bandolier and charged at every shadow in his room.

    He bumped and crashed into the vases and the chairs, not giving up until his fears subsided.

    A faint grip was on his heart, like a handful of barbs. Finally, stabbing at the glass mirror on the wall, Skaldi broke it and it sent him recoiling back. That fear released its grip, and Skaldi collapsed onto his back.

    Feeling the terrible warmth of strained muscle, he writhed there, the echoes of the Voice still there in his ears.

    Overwhelming them, overwhelming him. Like being drowned in a sea of words. His eye was wide open, shooting out almost to the point of pain, terrified by what he now believed was an awful nightmare.

    Seeing that no one else was in the room, Skaldi closed his eye, happy that he wasn¡¯t in any danger. His chest rose up and down with his breathing, which had a few weak laughs.

    ¡°Hah¡­ only three months in this¡­ place¡­ and I¡¯m already going mad¡­hehehe¡­¡± Skaldi threw away his dagger, happy that he was safe. He found his rampage quite silly, looking at everything that he broke. The glass that formed sprinkles of moonlight, the ripped sheets, and the thin scratches on the door.

    Hearing a faint thumping outside, Skaldi knew immediately who it was.With three knocks on the door, a man gently opened it and gasped.

    ¡°Sweetie? You doing alright?¡± Mildly spooked, Bolato watched from the entrance of the room. Now noticing what Skaldi had done to the room, he entered. Seeing the state of the redhead, Bolato winced and lifted Skaldi up with one arm.

    ¡°Heh, I¡¯m fine. Just¡­ just had a bad dream. That¡¯s all.¡± Skaldi tried to go back on the ground but Bolato lifted him higher, like one might do a cat.

    ¡°And I¡¯m sure you¡¯re not lying.¡± Prodding the side of Skaldi ribs, Bolato saw the bandages that were there.

    ¡°I¡¯m not!¡± Skaldi stretched out his hands, waving Bolato off and stumbled over to his bed. But soon Skaldi hunched over, clutching underneath his armpit.

    Seeing a small pool of red, Bolato laid him back on the ground and started to readjust his bandages.

    ¡°Come on! I¡¯m fine.¡± Skaldi crossed his arms, suppressing the now loud pain he was in, but Bolato forced him to lift one so he could better fix him.

    ¡°You¡¯re not. This is the third nightmare this week. And I think you reopened your wound.¡± Bolato swiveled his head, searching for something.

    ¡°You think or you know?¡± Shaking his head, Skaldi refused to believe him. All Bolato had to do was lift his finger, which was now coated in blood. With a scoff, Skaldi closed his eye and laid his head back down. ¡°The¡­uhh, the herbs I made are in the second drawer.¡±

    ¡°You¡¯ve gotten real good at that alchemy stuff.¡± Quickly grabbing the remedy, Bolato applied it on Skaldi¡¯s side, immediately slowing the bleeding.

    ¡°Haha! That tickles! Ha!¡± Feeling a little better and a little chillier, Skaldi smiled and giggled. Seeing he was in better spirits, Bolato¡¯s worry subsided and a small smile came to his lips.

    Lifting him up slowly and gently, Bolato put Skaldi¡¯s back on his lap, letting Skaldi feel a bit more comfy. When their skin met, they felt icy to the touch and both of them shuttered a bit. But it wasn¡¯t an uncomfortable cold, more like the coolness of a pillow.

    Allowing themselves to enjoy this moment, they both stayed quiet, content to be by one another. Within a couple of seconds, Skaldi had nearly forgotten what nightmare troubled him. But with a long drag of breath, Bolato wasn¡¯t going to let Skaldi pretend nothing was the matter.

    ¡°...was it that nightmare? About Amir and the fire?¡± His voice was low, like a hazy fog. He didn¡¯t want to spawn anymore uncomfortable memories, but Bolato knew Skaldi needed to answer. Needed to give him something to make him feel better.

    He really wanted to lie this time, nearly shaking his head yes, wanting to go through the motions of talking about it. But Skaldi really didn¡¯t want to think about that nightmare. The Voice threw him into a frenzy, but the Amir one just made him cry.

    It made him feel weak. Powerless. That all the progress he made was for nothing.This tale has been pilfered from Royal Road. If found on Amazon, kindly file a report.

    Thus, he decided confronting this nightmare was far better than the alternative. Gritting his teeth to build up the courage, Skaldi shook his head no. Bolato¡¯s eyes widened slightly and soon adjusted back to normal.

    ¡°It¡¯s not that one? This one is new?¡± Rubbing his fingers through Skaldi¡¯s hair, Bolato comforted the uneasy elf. Skaldi laughed a little before holding a solemn face.

    ¡°Yeah. This one¡­ I don¡¯t know, was talking about Vega. And¡­ the voice, I think it was a guy. He was singing a song.¡± Piecing together the major bits of the nightmare was hard, and Skaldi took to biting on his thumb as he thought.

    ¡°Don¡¯t do that.¡± Firmly but kindly taking Skaldi''s thumb out of his mouth, Bolato continued to comb his fingers through his hair. Giving him a nod, Bolato beckoned him to continue.

    ¡°I¡­ the song. Gods, that song. It¡¯s the total opposite of Vega.¡± Skaldi closed his eye, trying to picture someone singing that haunting melody. He tried to imagine Vega singing it, but that was even worse than the nightmare.

    ¡°Have you heard it before?¡± Squeezing Skaldi¡¯s hand, Bolato assured him he was safe. The redhead breathed out calmly before continuing.

    ¡°No. Never. The song¡­ I think the guy knows someone. About the future. About how everything is gonna go down. And¡­ I can¡¯t do anything. Expect not to mind it.¡± Saying all out loud, Skaldi sighed, feeling the anxiety mount more and more. While there was relief in Bolato being there, present in his weakest moment, he hated this. Being weak. Being anything less than strong.

    ¡°I can sleep next to you if you want tonight.¡± Now gently scratching Skaldi¡¯s chest, Bolato wished everything to be fine for him. Although Skaldi was already feeling better, the worry on his face couldn¡¯t be erased. He hated that. Not being able to quell Skaldi¡¯s pain.

    Bolato wanted to know what to say. Wanted to know what words he could say to eradicate his pain. He wanted to be his painkiller.

    But this wasn¡¯t a problem that could be solved by hugs and kisses, nor by wise words or sage support. All he could do was hold him close whenever he needed to cry, or tell him a joke to lift his spirits. This was in Skaldi¡¯s hands.

    Skaldi held tight onto Bolato¡¯s hand and shoulder, using him to push himself back up. He lingered in a hunched position, contemplating whether or not he should bother Bolato. He almost wanted to tell Bolato to ignore him, for some strange insecure reason.

    But with a blush on his face and a flush feeling in his chest, Skaldi rolled his head and pulled Bolato to his bedside. It seemed almost comical, since this bed wasn¡¯t nearly big enough for the both of them, so Skaldi couldn¡¯t help but to laugh.

    ¡°Haha! This is going to be a hard fit.¡± Putting a hand on his forehead, Skaldi wondered how they¡¯ll make it work.

    ¡°What?¡± Bolato spoke a little confused, crossing his arms.

    ¡°We are not fitting on this bed.¡± Laying back down on the messy and torn bed, Skaldi showed that he already took up most of the space.

    ¡°Come on. All we need to do is to make you into a little ball, then get some hammer and nails.¡± Catching on to the situation, Bolato laughed a little as he spoke.

    ¡°I don¡¯t think that¡¯s going to work.¡± Skaldi got back up and looked at the bed, trying to see how they¡¯d section it off.

    ¡°We¡¯ll make it work.¡± Laying his arm on top Skaldi¡¯s head, Bolato leisured rested and leaned on him. Briefly, Skaldi thought of a funny idea of how the two wouldn¡¯t fit.

    ¡°Haha! Look, what I¡¯m saying is this. When I walk backwards into a wall, my butt touches it first. When you walk backwards into a wall, your back touches it first.¡± Skaldi pushed Bolato¡¯s arm off and threw his hair towards the wall.

    ¡°Really?¡± The soldier actually considered the idea for a moment. And the elf soon after, giving this silly joke some technical merit. Each grabbed their chin and assumed an exaggerated thinking pose.

    I say exaggerated but I really do think that the two were thinking that fucking hard about a joke.

    The two decided this needed to be proven. Sciencetifically!

    And, as you might expect, Skaldi¡¯s statement was proven true. However, it was closer than you might suspect. Turns out Bolato¡¯s girth also led to him having a fat ass, but not as big of a back.

    And of course Skaldi¡¯s buttcheeks won the day.

    ¡°Ha! I suppose you¡¯re right. But is that a bad thing?¡± Backing off the wall, Bolato sat down on the bed.

    ¡°Depends. Are you a boob or butt guy?¡± Giving his butt and chest two taps respectively, Skaldi posed like an athlete statue.

    ¡°I¡¯m a you type of guy.¡± Resting his head on his hands, Bolato closed one of his eyes and waited for Skaldi¡¯s response. And as he planned, the redhead was redder than ever, like rose petals.

    ¡°Gah¡­ you are such a cheeky fucker. And also a really goddamn smooth talker.¡± Getting atop Bolato and pulling what remained of the blanket over, Skaldi rested his head on the soldier¡¯s chest.

    ¡°...and you¡­ are pretty strong¡­¡± Drifting off into a comfortable sleep, Bolato gave him one last compliment as his eyes fluttered shut.

    Pretty strong.

    Strong?

    Those words floated in Skaldi¡¯s mind, like fireflies. As he repeated those words, he glowed a bit. Like the nightmare before had lost all worth, and his worries melted away.

    Why did he feel that way? About those words? Looking at Bolato¡¯s pleasant resting face, Skaldi realized why. Because it was someone he knew as strong, someone he knew for his strength and vigour. Because those words came from a person he wished he was.

    Strong enough to be kind to everyone and himself. Strong enough to carry the weight of other¡¯s pain. Strong enough to be the rock everyone could rely upon.

    He really felt it. In his heart, because Bolato had said it.

    With a teary eye, Skaldi smiled and sniffled. And he felt happy, like never before.

    For he was strong.

    Finding themselves in a cloud of dust, Bolato and Amir coughed as they exited. Eventually Amir had to collapse from how intense his coughing became, with Bolato lifting him back up.

    ¡°Easy old man. Where are we?¡± Surrounded by the dust, Bolato waved his shield around, trying to find a break through it.

    ¡°~Gah¡­ miserable fuck.~¡± Pounding his chest to clear his lungs, he looked around to see what had happened. In a far off corner, he noticed a pair of eyes looking in. Moving in a fraction a second Amir swung his saber, striking down their hidden foe.

    With a groan, the trainer covered in thick padding fell back, clutching his forearm. Amir almost felt sorry, but that was interrupt to war cries that came from behind both of them.

    Two trainers, also dressed in protective gear, rushed through the dust and towards Amir and Bolato. Holding his shield out in front, Bolato made two signals with his hands. And only a couple seconds afterwards, two speeding bullets struck the trainers heads.

    ¡°Woo! Did I get them?¡± Valiato stood atop a marble pillar and bent down to ask Bolato.

    ¡°Yeah. You¡¯re getting better.¡± Bolato spoke quicker, as he heard more foes already arriving to his right.

    ¡°~Remember, protect the target!~¡± With a great cough, Amir threw a javelin into the dust and got ready for the next opponents.

    This target was their future. A future that could be bright or dark.

 Chapter 85: Nevermind the Darkness (Part 2!)

    Chapter 85: Nevermind the Darkness (Part 2!)

    Their fight was one of the many that day, but its goal was the most unique out of all. Depending on their results, they would receive a single bit of equipment that could change the tide of their future.

    From everyone in the fight, they imagined it as some great weapon, one that could nullify Ani¡¯s magical abilities. As they faced more upcoming foes, this hope drove their thrusts and strikes.

    From Skaldi¡¯s position, he could clearly see every hazard and obstacle that was coming their way, and he couldn¡¯t do anything about it. He shared the overlook with the other teachers and even Oligarchs. There was light conversation between them all, generally pleased with the team¡¯s progress.

    However, Skaldi wasn¡¯t pleased that he was there.

    Even though he had reopened his wounds, it hurt him more that he couldn¡¯t help his friends. It took everything not to yell out who was coming and where from.

    This trial was being conducted in the facilities'' many arenas, this one being one of the smaller ones. There were two sectors, in bounds and out of bounds, with space for trainers to enter. Fighting in a flat square with four gates, the arena had been accustomed to resemble a Tripolian village. Skaldi had to be impressed because Amir was impressed by its accuracy.

    Although there was one thing that was off about it.

    In the center of the square was a thin wooden frame. The frame of a friend. The frame of Vega.

    Compared to everything else, this was the cheapest and most ugly looking thing there. It was a simple cross with a sackhead. Whoever had made it only bothered to give the sack a smiley face, not even caring to tie it completely.

    One of the attackers went to fire at Vega, but Bolato dashed in front and blocked the arrow, continuing on with stabs with his blade.

    ¡°Good! Good.¡± An old and energetic voice spoke right next to Skaldi, someone that smelled terribly of alcohol. With a slight turn of the head, he saw a kind yet mysterious frame.

    ¡°Oh. Oligarch Graham?¡± Skaldi addressed him casually, like an acquaintance you met outside of work.

    And in a way, he was a co-worker. As it had turned out, Oligarch Graham was the guard drinking in the test of will. Of course, Graham was also an alcoholic, but he simply feigned the demeanor of a bitter guardsman.

    He wore the same gear but they were tighter and less loose, now looking the part of a gruff general instead of a dour soldier. Graham sadly could not change the way he smelled, a dull sweetness around him. He was an Iozian, with all the flaws and pleasantries.

    ¡°Indeed, it is me! How is the pain? Or uh, the healing?¡± Fumbling over his words, Graham straightened his posture to mask his awkwardness. He didn¡¯t want to appear too friendly, but on the other hand he really couldn¡¯t care about being a proud ruler.

    ¡°I¡¯m doing fine. Well, besides the nightmares that is.¡± Skaldi shrugged, leaning on the overlook. His foot was getting restless and he occasionally glanced at everyone else fighting.

    Noticing how Graham held out his hand in a cupped fashion, like he was holding an invisible beer cup, Skaldi grabbed his flask from his hip and tossed it to him.

    ¡°Is that right? Well, it seems like you need this more than me.¡± Handing it politely back to him and joining him in looking at the arena, Graham took in the scene with a thoughtful look on his face.

    There were still two questions at the back of Skaldi¡¯s mind, of what roles the other teams would have. How they all fit, everyone he sees outside, in this grand strategy of Graham¡¯s. Despite his casual persona and lack of Oligarchic appearance, he knew there was something bigger at play.

    He had seen many of the forests of Core Civitus be chopped down and entire workshops on the rivers, building entire fleets of new and bizarre ships. Sanguine boats that could attack with harpoons, Kai Ren floating turtles with giant iron spikes, and Matigas Na Tao war canoes that could navigate tight waters. This content has been unlawfully taken from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.

    Not only this, but in the very halls of the facility, a great amount of living quarters grew tenfold and the people there twentyfold. The once quiet and lonely facility had become an entire city, where you could hardly find a private space. It was all so headachingly confusing. Skaldi couldn¡¯t wrap his head around it. How would they be able to help?

    And the second, and arguably more pressing question, why is he doing this?

    He, as in Oligarch Graham. This strange overwhelming Iozian man, one that had so mean and sour on his first meeting. The one that might have seen Skaldi as a useless body, or had a hatred of ghosts.

    For what reason, for gold, for glory, for what goal was Graham doing this? Compared to Oligarch Tibato who had locked the doors of Jantok Sky as it was being invaded, Graham was so awfully different.

    Graham was friendly! And not in the way of a sneering aristocrat or patrician, but in the manner of a relative or an old friend. He was a ruler, yes, but a ruler that led.

    He might have called Graham a leader, but Skaldi now had a distrust. That secretly, Graham was gambling with all of their lives.

    And the worst part about that thought was Skaldi was right.

    Back down in the arena, things weren¡¯t looking so good. After being sprayed in the face with a squirt sling, a sort of tube that blasts water, Amir tripped and fell out of bounds.

    As Valiato was laughing at how he got beaten by water, two of the trainers simply lifted her off her feet and threw her right beside him. Scratching the back of her head, she could feel Amir¡¯s disappointment.

    ¡°~...uh¡­ I didn¡¯t lose to one versus one?~¡± Valiato offered her meager achievement to Amir.

    ¡°~Did you win one versus two?~¡± Amir didn¡¯t even bother to look at Valiato, his eyes locked on Bolato¡¯s position.

    ¡°~Do I look like I can fight two guys at once?~¡± Valiato shook her head and gestured to her small frame.

    ¡°~It doesn¡¯t matter if you don¡¯t look like you can, kid. It matters if you can. Use what¡¯s been given to you.~¡± Crouching down to her level, Amir playfully patted her head. The sound of fighting grabbed both of their attention, as they focused on their teammate¡¯s last stand.

    With ten more men charging down at Bolato, he held his ground as long as he could. He was outclassed, barely able to block their spears. Forced to take an aggressive stance, Bolato used his shield to bash the enemies out. This had actually caught them off guard, making them go out of bounds. With a hearty laugh, Bolato pressed on.

    ¡°Woo! Nice one!¡± Skaldi held out his fist, pumping it in the air.

    ¡°Boo! You suck!¡± Valiato stuck her tongue out, getting a collective laugh from the people above.

    Once there were enough to manage, he let his blade to the word.  Striking hard with his sword, he managed to back a couple of them in the corner of the arena, nearly sending them all out.

    ¡°Come on you fools! I¡¯m right here!¡± He jeered at them, keeping them all at bay. Even with their spears, they couldn¡¯t be baited into getting close to him. From overhead, Skaldi cheered, seeing that they were nearly going to complete the test.

    ¡°And behind you?¡± Making a cone with his hands around his mouth, Graham yelled at Bolato.

    His eyes slowly raised open, like he was saying ¡®oh shit¡¯ with them. At the end of his eyes, Bolato saw the three other trainers. With a quick chop, the fake Vega collapsed into a puddle of wood, hay, and cloth. Some of the sticks rattled on the ground for a bit, making the whole scene quite embarrassing.

    ¡°Now you suck. That will be a couple more months then.¡± Waving everyone in the arena goodbye, Graham scoffed and started walking to the door. All the trainers and advisors looked at each other stunned. Not because of Bolato¡¯s failure to protect the target, but because of how quickly Graham gave up on them.

    Looking at the Oligarch go, Skaldi looked back at everyone in the arena, seeing their individual reactions. Taking to kicking the wall, Valiato was taking things bitterly. Amir didn¡¯t seem all that bothered, bowing his head and shaking it back and forth.

    Bolato, in a total shock to Skaldi, seemed dejected. That he, rather than the team, had failed. There was a twitch in his eyebrow and the way he dropped his arms. It wasn¡¯t a grand expression of sadness or grief, but it was strong enough to see that Bolato felt doubt.  That he was the weak link, instead of Skaldi. For some reason, likely love, the elf hated that.

    ¡°Wait.¡± Hearing the door close, the redhead started to walk. Then to jog. Then to run.

    Crashing through the door and into the adjacent hall, Skaldi chased after Oligarch Graham. On the walls were beams of light passing through gated windows.

    ¡°Wait! They were doing so good! Come back!¡± Yelling out, Skaldi only saw Graham getting further and further out, like his perception was being stretched out. His lungs burned and his wounds soured, but he didn¡¯t let up. He wasn¡¯t going to be ignored.

    Seeing him turn the corner, Skaldi skeeted on his feet and grip the wall, swinging around. As he was driving his foot into the ground, he noticed something was terribly off about the hall ahead of him.

    Something that should have been there wasn¡¯t there.

    Graham had disappeared.

 Chapter 85: Nevermind the Darkness (Part 3!)

    Chapter 85: Nevermind the Darkness (Part 3!)

    Yes. The Oligarch, who had previously been walking the same plane as Skaldi, ceased to be seen. As if the man he saw was an illusion, a lie conjured up by unholy purpose.

    The hall had no markings or warped structure, which might have suggested that Graham slipped through an unknown door or hidden passage. Pressing his hands around the cold stone of the hall, Skaldi found no lines or bumps. Graham truly escaped his sight.

    ¡°...I was not expecting this today.¡± Speaking with a quiver in his throat, Skaldi searched and searched for some mistake he had made, an action he took that made things wrong.

    ¡°Okay. This is fine¡­ this probably a test or something. I don¡¯t fucking know.¡± Calming his thoughts and slowing his breathing, Skaldi began to enhance his senses. Depriving himself of color, shade, taste and feeling, the elf aimed to hear Graham. Maybe his footsteps could be detected where he was not.

    Closing his eye, Skaldi pushed out his arms like makeshift antennas, trying to sense the shift in the air. And luckily, he did.

    Right behind him.

    In a fraction of a second, all of his senses returned to him as he threw several daggers at the wall behind him. Most of them bounced off the stone, but one managed to break through the glass, sending transparent shards all around. The sudden noise made Skaldi¡¯s head shake and ache, as he bent forward on one knee.

    All around him, the light became a cloudy indigo, like a storm was passing through the hall. Momentarily rising, Skaldi went over to the window, feeling that there was something incredibly wrong.

    As he looked through the window, he expected a small garrison of soldiers, practicing their drills and orders. They¡¯d be in the valley, just underneath the many bridges from the adjacent buildings. Those would have  wisemen and adventurers passing by.

    But Skaldi saw no one.

    He saw the valley, the bridges, and the other parts of the facility, yet with no one walking them. As if the entirety of the population collectively ceased. Not ceased to be seen, but ceased.

    ¡°...oh fuck¡­¡± Backing away from the window, Skaldi went into a full run, running back towards the arena. He was hoping, hoping that there would be someone. Anyone who could explain what was happening. Driving his shoulder into the door, he bashed it open, looking for anything.

    The overlook was abandoned. The desks were left with papers and documents, cabinets were left open with research, even the very clipboards and pencils laid on the ground. Stepping slowly to the lip of the overlook, Skaldi saw that the arena had no one there.

    But the arena was strange, for two things. Some of his friends'' belongings were left there. One of Amir¡¯s many journals, with its pages kissing the floor, remained. The rock bullets and Valiato¡¯s sling too stayed. Yet anything relating to Bolato was not.

    However, the strangest thing was what had been repaired.

    The fake Vega, the one that had been previously broken into several pieces, was fine! It even had a stupid smiley face drawn onto it.

    ¡°...right¡­¡± Because of its incredibly fucking stupid face, Skaldi felt a wave of relief pass by. That whatever was in store for him had a least a little bit of humor. Whether or not that humor would be to his advantage, he would not know.

    Using one of the service ladders, Skaldi slid down into the arena proper. His eyebrows pressed together, and his eye shook. He approached the scarecrow, looking back and forth to the ladder just in case he would need to run. Giving its nose a quick tap, he waited for a response.

    Nothing.

    ¡°Whew¡­ by the gods, I thought you were going to scare me for a second there.¡± Turning his back on the scarecrow, Skaldi went over to the other objects in the arena.

    Picking up the journal, the elf saw many of Amir¡¯s notes, written in either a fancy form of Tripolian or a formal one. Of which, Skaldi did not know. Regardless, he could tell that it was real, since there were several pages dedicated to what seemed to be cheese.

    ¡°I know the guy¡¯s a vegan or whatever, but he is real weird.¡± Putting the journal back down, Skaldi went over to the sling.

    Flicking some of the bullets into one another, Skaldi played around with this. He almost felt like a kid, throwing rocks in a pond. Although his aim compared to Valiato was pretty bad. He laughed as he missed the scarecrow, letting his nervousness subside.

    ¡°I never was any good at this. But, that¡¯s all right.¡± Letting the sling fall from his grip, he saw something in the peripheral of his vision.

    The scarecrow was waving.

    ¡°...hi?¡± Terrified by the gesture, Skaldi gave a pitiful wave back. He tried to calm himself down, telling himself that he had met a living scarecrow before. Despite this, there were parts immensely off about it.

    Its movement was smooth, too smooth, like each part of its action was equally spaced. There weren''t the jerky and erratic jitters of Vega. And its smile nor eyes didn¡¯t move, blankly looking at Skaldi.

    Where he moved, the scarecrow turned to follow. As Skaldi went over to one of the gates, he heard a crunching from the scarecrow. It had started twisting his stick foundation, gradually cracking it. And within a moment, it tore itself off and had begun to crawl towards Skaldi.

    ¡°Fuck this!¡± Lifting one of the barriers of the gate and throwing them aside, Skaldi pushed it open and started to run. When he ran inside, he discovered only darkness.

    And that there was no floor.

    ¡°No! No!¡± His voice breaking, Skaldi felt the terror of weightlessness. That he was no longer in control, now going into freefall, surrounded by a choking shadow. All he could see was the light from the gate, becoming smaller and evermore distant.

    He tried to reach out for it, in a futile attempt to save his life. As he did, he saw the faint frame of the scarecrow, waving him off as he plummeted.

    And plummeted.

    And plummeted.

    And-

    ¡°Skaldi!¡± A hoarse voice yelled, followed by a quick slap to the back of the head.

    ¡°Huh?!¡± Rising from the wooden stump, Skaldi shot his head up and looked around. He wasn¡¯t in the facility anymore.

    The environment was lush, and expansive. He was surrounded by trees, round and with green needles instead of leaves. There were people here, people he hadn¡¯t seen in a long time. His tribe, the Galtian elves. Living and working, practicing and fighting.

    Lifting his head, he saw someone he knew was dead. At least, in the present. It was his father.

    ¡°Get up. Get up and get ready.¡± Squeezing hard on Skaldi¡¯s arm, his father began to drag Skaldi from the stump, where he had just been resting.

    Wiping the drool from his mouth, Skaldi noticed how small his hands were. Along with his arms, and his legs. Then he realized what was happening. He was a memory of childhood.

    As he stood up from being dragged, he looked all around, searching for any landmark or significance in the area. But nothing stood out, no image or action, all of it was no different from other memories.

    ¡°Boy, are you listening?¡± His father called him again, which took Skaldi out of his thoughts.Support creative writers by reading their stories on Royal Road, not stolen versions.

    His face. His father¡¯s face. It had been so long since he had seen it. He was very masculine, with strong features and scars over his forehead and jaw. Composed into neat and combed waves, his hair was short and trimmed. With a big moustache, it looked like he was breathing fire from his nose.

    His body was nothing like Skaldi¡¯s wide and fearsome, with a long purple wound traveling on his ribs to his neck. He was everything Skaldi couldn¡¯t be, the man his father and his people wanted.

    ¡°...sorry.¡± Skaldi was surprised by his voice. It was so puny. Not just because he was a kid, but because of the situation.

    He felt a worry, an ancient worry returned to him. That of wanting his father¡¯s approval. The disappointment in his father¡¯s eyes hurt him more than any blade could.

    He felt half a man. He felt less than enough. He felt like he was a failure.

    ¡°Gah! In ten minutes, come to the fighting grounds. There, we will fight. And you can¡¯t back out¡­¡± Walking away into a nearby grove, his father left Skaldi. For a moment, Skaldi stepped out to reach for him. But he realized it was a futile effort, that he couldn¡¯t explain what was happening.

    He was a ghost in a land that didn¡¯t exist anymore.

    Wandering over to a small, earth hut, Skaldi noticed that it was his old home. Tea leaves were placed over the entrance, half for spiritual blessing and half for the sweet smell. He knew that going in would only cause some more grief about himself, but there was something calling for him.

    As he entered, he felt the air becoming cooler, more undisturbed. Tiny beams of light came through the holes in the walls, falling down on the hearth at the center. The entire hut was two circles, the inner being the kitchen and the outer where he used to sleep. All they had were soft reeds, none of the blankets or pillows of Iozians. There was little here that reminded Skaldi of his future.

    Skaldi stood there a while, breathing in slowly and deep, as if to take the very air back with him.

    He entered his room, small and confined. It wasn¡¯t uncomfortable, he actually felt a little happy when he saw it again. This was the one place Skaldi could have control over. Over his reeds were small stone figures, tiny knuckle bones he¡¯d use as dice, and a single wooden spear.

    A smile rose on his face, feeling a wave of childhood trauma. If this room was all that he remembered of this time, he wouldn¡¯t mind thinking about it.

    ¡°Son¡­¡± A chilly voice called out. He recognized it instantly, knowing the tone.

    ¡°Yes mother?¡± Skaldi turned to see her, fearing that she might insult him again. It was his mom, staring at him in disappointment.

    His mother was slim and athletic, the type that could climb a cliff face or a tree easily. Her eyes were stunning blue, ones that could freeze him in place whenever he did something wrong.

    Surprisingly, the only thing that he could identify her with the person he was in the future wasn¡¯t her hair or her femininity, but of her freckles and how they glowed.

    ¡°You¡¯re wasting time.¡± She said with crossed arms.

    ¡°But I-¡±

    ¡°I don¡¯t care. Either you fight or you die. There isn¡¯t another option.¡± She marched up to Skaldi, resting her heavy fist on top of his head.

    He remembered this, of how his mother grinded her knuckles into his scalp, or simply smacked him aside. Fearing that she might do it again, he quickly grabbed his wooden spear and headed out.

    The moment he stepped out he saw his father waiting for him, holding a wooden glaive. His father smiled for an instant before it fell back into a frown.

    ¡°Good. You didn¡¯t waste my time again. Follow me.¡± Waving him to his side, his father brought him to a distant grove.

    It took them some time to get there, but Skaldi understood why. Some battlegrounds were sacred, belonging to specific families or even spirits. This battleground, he remembered.

    The space was a flat diamond, with bushes and rocks forming corners. There was no one else there. The only one that could save him was himself.

    ¡°Now¡­ we will begin.¡± Drawing a thin in the dirt, his father took a warrior¡¯s stance, holding his glaive high.

    ¡°...right¡­¡± Gulping, Skaldi fiddled with his wooden spear, struggling to hold it. His father sighed in mild anger, waiting for him to finish. Accepting what was to come, Skaldi grit his teeth and readied himself.

    And then, his father stepped forward.

    Skaldi didn¡¯t stand a chance. He was too short to properly strike his father. Whenever they got into a bind, he was too weak to wrestle. And each time a blow landed, which was few, they only caused his father to shake his head.

    After a few minutes, Skaldi was heaving, spitting, on the ground. Bruises, sores, and scraps were all over his body. He couldn¡¯t get up. He didn¡¯t want to.

    ¡°I don¡¯t¡­ I don¡¯t understand.¡± He was angry. At what, he did not know.

    ¡°Of course you do. You wanted to prove yourself strong? Then you failed.¡± His father crouched over him, poking his stomach with his glaive.

    ¡°W¡­what?¡± Clutching his stomach, Skaldi could hardly speak. But he could listen perfectly well.

    ¡°You failed because you¡¯re so weak. You lost. We¡¯ll try again tomorrow. And no, I won¡¯t pick you up.¡± Getting up and already heading home, his father left Skaldi. To savour his defeat.

    He hated this. Not hate in the casual sense, but hate in the righteous. He lost? That was a plain lie. A child loses to his father¡¯s brute action? Sure. But he lost? That wasn¡¯t damn true.

    Because he wasn¡¯t weak. He was the strongest there was.

    ¡°No.¡±

    ¡°What did you say boy?¡± Stopping in his tracks, his father looked over his shoulder.

    ¡°I said no. I¡­ win.¡± Pushing himself up, Skaldi could feel how much his body was damaged. All the aching and strains, he could hardly push himself off the ground.

    And yet he did.

    He pushed himself up, rose to his feet, and stood up with all of his might.

    ¡°What?¡± His father¡¯s eyes widened, amazed that his son was already up.

    ¡°I didn¡¯t win because I beat you. I won because I tried. And I won¡¯t let no one tell me I lost.¡± Holding out his fist, Skaldi began to limp over to his father. And then walk. And then run. And then sprint.

    He sprinted at his father and leapt up, ready to strike him down.

    ¡°I¡­ I don¡¯t need to prove anything to you. Only to myself!¡±

    ¡°Skaldi?¡± A worried, kind voice spoke. Feeling a warm hand on his shoulder, the redhead shook and awoke.

    ¡°...hmm? What¡­ what happened?¡± As his eye settled on the new scene, Skaldi saw Bolato¡¯s face, full of worry. Soon after, he felt a great and soft hug from him.

    ¡°Yes. You¡¯re okay. You¡¯re okay.¡± Bolato spoke into Skaldi¡¯s chest, warming him up.

    ¡°I¡­ what¡¯s going on?¡± His eyes fluttering, Skaldi looked around. He saw nearby tents and tables, with doctors all around. Everything was muted in color and his surroundings were cold. Although he was in several blankets, he noticed that his skin was purple and blue, and not from bruises.

    ¡°He¡¯s okay!¡± Valiato tugged on Amir¡¯s hand, jumping up and down.

    ¡°~Really? Well done boy!~¡± Putting her on top of his shoulder, Amir gave Skaldi a thumbs up. His thumbs up was pretty awkward since that was an Iozian gesture.

    ¡°Woah woah woah! What happened? What did I do?¡± Skaldi swung his head back and forth, asking the team.

    ¡°You just underwent the test.¡± Oligarch Graham tapped on his shoulder, catching him off guard. His smile shined, confusing him even more. ¡°The test that has decided what special equipment you¡¯ll be receiving.¡±

    ¡°Hmm?¡± Skaldi tilting his head, still adjusting to the world. He noticed that his skin was almost gray blue, suggesting some kind of sickness.

    ¡°Ah, a little mild amnesia from the nightmare. Don¡¯t worry.¡± Graham waved him down, as if nothing was the matter.

    ¡°~Here.~¡± Amir handed him a cup with a green liquid. Motioning for Skaldi to drink it, he gulped down and shivered. Skaldi felt colder, but his headache became a lot weaker.

    ¡°Thanks. But uh, what test?¡± Gesturing with the cup, Skaldi squinted at Graham.

    ¡°You asked Graham if you could still train, since everyone failed the arena match.¡± Bolato got off of Skaldi and rubbed his hair.

    ¡°That was real?!¡± Understanding more of what had happened, Skaldi was astonished that his dream had actually reality in it.

    ¡°Yes.¡± Valiato said all bored, stretching her arms out.

    ¡°Yes. I was walking out on your group when you came up to me and asked if you guys could have one more chance. And I came up with this. A test of mental vigour and fortitude.¡± Impressed with the result, Graham nodded his head at Skaldi.

    ¡°If you didn¡¯t complete, we¡¯d know by you vomiting all over yourself. So yay! No vomit.¡± Bolato squeezed Skaldi¡¯s hand, glad that

    ¡°And I agreed to it?¡±

    ¡°Of course you did! I tried to talk you out of it, but you wouldn¡¯t listen. Said that you needed to prove something. Not to Graham or me, but yourself.¡± Standing up, Bolato exclaimed with great pride.

    Skaldi lingered there for a moment, looking at each one of them that had come to his bedside.

    He really did that. For them.

    For a sentimental reason, a tear came to his eye.

    ¡°Thus, you all have proven yourselves.¡± Announcing with a regal flourish, Graham congratulated them. ¡°And you have proven yourself Skaldi. So now, I would like to provide a high honor for you devotion.¡±

    From out his cloak, Graham held a small silver case. There weren¡¯t many decorations beyond a simple Oligarchic rose on it. Placing it on Skaldi¡¯s lap, Graham didn¡¯t bother to explain it.

    Skaldi bowed his head, focusing on the box¡¯s size. He wondered if he should even accept it. Feeling Bolato¡¯s hand on his shoulder, the elf looked up at him. His eyes communicated a love and motivation Skaldi needed.

    With one hand, Skaldi flipped open the box.

    And inside was a Soul Gem.

    One attuned to Skaldi.

 Chapter 86: Till My Heart Stops Beating! (Part One!)

    Chapter 86: Till My Heart Stops Beating! (Part One!)

    Enclosed in a room of shadow and dark, Vega stood there, holding her guitar in hand.

    There were tears and abrasions all over her body, and some of her stitching had come out. She knew she¡¯d lose if she didn¡¯t try something different, and quick.

    Instead of trying to find her opponent, she¡¯d bring them to her.

    Strumming her guitar, in one last, hopeful attempt, she sang with the beauty of a thousand winds.

    This was her last stand.

    ¡°There¡¯s a part of me that¡¯s desperate for changes¡­¡±

    ¡°Tired of being treated like a pawn¡­¡±

    ¡°There¡¯s a part of me that stares back¡­¡±

    ¡°From inside the MIRROR!¡±

    ¡°Part of me that¡¯s scared I might be wrong¡­¡±

    ¡°That I can¡¯t be¡­.. STRONG!¡±

    ¡°OUCH! STOP STOP STOP! SHUT THE FUCK! UP!¡±

    ¡°Sorry-sorry!¡± Dropping her guitar on the ground, Vega raised her hands in defeat.

    In the matter of a couple seconds, the lights had come back on in the theater, revealing where Krimm had been the entire time. Having clutched her ears and her face twisted in a vague discomfort, she had dropped her axe.

    The theater was a makeshift, actually entirely paid for by Florato. Her wages that she saved from Vega¡¯s incredible wages had been collected into a big pile. And in that effort, she had commissioned an entire theater to be built.

    Glowing orange and yellow curtains, tropical wood, and a design that just screamed glamour. Of course there was a perpetual smokiness that no amount of perfume could get rid of. But Uvi Jantok was literally on fire so come the fuck on.

    ¡°Woo! That was four minutes and twenty eight seconds. A new record Vega!¡± Sitting in one of the seats, Sorbet had decided she would take notes of this fight. The rest of the seats behind her were inhabited, so she made a makeshift table out of some.

    Out in front of her were an hourglass, a few papers and an abacus. The abacus was just to make Sorbet feel smarter and to fiddle with something whenever she got bored.

    ¡°You okay Krimm?¡± Out from a theater and over the stage, Florato threw open the curtains and called out to the fairy.

    ¡°I¡¯m fine. Just¡­ whenever Vega sings at that fucking frequency, it fucks with my hearing.¡± Gently cleaning out one of her ears, Krimm showed she was in good hell.

    ¡°Sorry again. Wait, since I forced Krimm to concede, does that mean-mean that the timer keeps going or?¡± Vega tilted her head, asking Sorbet for confirmation. She looked at her notes then back at Vega, giggling at something.

    ¡°Uh, no. Krimm pierced your heart when you were singing. Since that is where you kept your Soul Gems, that means the match is over.¡± Sorbet stood up, pointing at where the strike had happened.If you come across this story on Amazon, it''s taken without permission from the author. Report it.

    ¡°What? Really?¡± Dropping her head down, Vega immediately noticed the spear sticking out of her, along with the two Soul Gems hanging by a thread. Upon seeing it, the scarecrow groaned like a disappointed teenager.

    ¡°Hey, that''s the rules.¡±  Lifting the paper that contained all the rules.

    Surprising, this list was rather short and mostly pertained to Vega. Although you might expect a numerous and extensive rule system just for the scarecrow, they didn¡¯t have a capacity of what she could fully do yet. They served to guide the purpose of this match.

    Which was for Vega to defend herself.

    ¡°Hey, it''s still good! The best we¡¯ve gotten in the past three months.¡± Climbing down from the stairs and stepping onto the stage, Florato smiled and congratulated Vega.

    Although Florato and Sorbet¡¯s congratulations were nice, it still didn¡¯t change the fact that she messed up. That her act of singing led to her being distracted, and thus failing.

    ¡°Much to the point, if we keep up this pace, we¡¯ll be able to break into the Lai Bank. And then Ani¡­ jeez, we got a lot on our plate.¡± Sighing, Krimm put her hands on her hips and shook her head. Her worry remained, if a bit subdued.

    ¡°I kinda wish this whole plan-plan didn¡¯t rely on me. But then again, helping ya folks is always good-good.¡± Rubbing the back of her head, Vega appreciated her meager achievement.

    ¡°Helping folks is good, but you need to protect yourself. How many times have you gotten yourself hurt during a fight? How many times were you broken apart and barely able to cling on?¡± Pulling the spear out of Vega with a minor anger, Krimm used the spear to point out the damage on the scarecrow¡¯s body.

    Each sentence punched hard, forcing Vega to back up. While she knew Krimm had her best interest at heart, she wished she could deliver the insight in a kinder way. Just like how Florato or Sorbet would.

    ¡°Calm down Krimm. She just made a new record.¡± Coming to Vega¡¯s side, Florato shook her head at the fairy.

    Taking a short breath in and putting the extra spear on her back, Krimm cooled herself. Having spent some time with Florato gave her a little more sensitivity. And that for her was a lot of progress, but sometimes failed to make it all the way.

    ¡°Okay. You¡¯re right. It¡¯s just¡­¡± Stopping, Krimm¡¯s eyes opened wide as if to go on a rant. But she bit her tongue and breathed in some more. ¡°...We can rely on you, but we can¡¯t keep relying on that.¡± Simply putting her hand on Vega¡¯s stitched face, Krimm laid it there for a moment, before pulling it back.

    For a few seconds, Vega understood why Krimm was harping on this point so much.

    In a physical sense, it was inflicted upon her.

    Her scar, that one that made others recoil and terrified, the one that twisted her face into a creepy rotting purple. The one that made her distinct, the one that made her instantly recognizable.

    Krimm was keeping her promise of changing. And in doing that, she wanted the ones she loved not to hurt anymore. Sometimes you hurt the people you love in an attempt to care for them.

    ¡°She has a point you know.¡± Resting her head at the lip of the stage, Sorbet smiled sweetly, bringing a sense of levity back into the theater.

    ¡°Which person?¡± Looking at the other two, Krimm didn¡¯t know who she was talking about.

    ¡°You, you dummy. Vega, you said that when you were casting spells or magic or whatever, that you got a sense of pain right?¡± Sorbet gestured to Vega with her papers.

    Strumming the guitar string lightly, she felt the Soul Gem ring out with magical harmony. Holding out the water Soul Gem and the jar of makeup, Vega reminisced on the sense of pain she obtained during her fight with Runtaii.

    How aching and exhausting it all was. As she finished thinking, the scarecrow waited for Sorbet to continue.

    ¡°Krimm is right to say that you have to do something different with your fighting style. That we can¡¯t keep doing daring attacks just to score one hit. Putting our lives in jeopardy or gambling on songs can¡¯t be our only solution. We need to be better, in the ways we can be.¡± Climbing up onto the stage, Sorbet walked by each person before stopping on Vega.

    ¡°Damn. I think that was really sweet.¡± Laying her hands on her chest, Florato was legitimately moved.

    ¡°That¡¯s¡­ actually what I feel. By the gods, Sorbet, can you read minds?¡± Krimm dropped her chest forward, letting her arms fall towards the ground. She was impressed, but also slightly infuriated that Sorbet did her point better.

    ¡°I don¡¯t know, does Florato look good in a dress?¡± The ice cream lady couldn¡¯t be more right.

    ¡°Yes.¡± Krimm and Vega collectively said at the same time and the same monotone voice.

    ¡°Bro.¡± The actress dropped her eyes, mildly annoyed by Sorbet.

    ¡°Sorry, I took that too far.¡± The ice cream lady shrugged and bowed her head.

    ¡°Fuck head-heads, incoming.¡± A croaking came from the entrance of the theater. Kaliba, with a drool of red wine from its beak, flew over and collapsed on Vega¡¯s head.

    With a loud marching, three rows of soldiers came in.

    And with them, came the three Oligarchs.

 Chapter 86: Till My Heart Stops Beating! (Part Two) (SPECIAL!)

    Chapter 86: Till My Heart Stops Beating! (Part Two) (SPECIAL!)

    Now you might expect this to be a mild off putting event, seeing as there was a notable troop presence. But after the heavy exhaustion committed by Krimm¡¯s training regiment, everyone was simply annoyed.

    At most, Florato just didn¡¯t want the soldiers to be busting in and breaking her newly purchased theater. After all, she had put a lot of her cash to something she loved. She was, at best, annoyed.

    But soon, they¡¯d be incredibly off put.

    By a secret that¡¯d be revealed.

    One that might jeopardize Vega¡¯s life.

    ¡°Oh great, these fuckers again. Didn¡¯t the sign say ¡®not open¡¯?¡± Florato hopped off the stage and went immediately up to the soldiers, who drew their spears and blades to point at the actress.

    Sorbet quickly hid behind Krimm, who understood her fear immediately and prepared for any confrontation.

    ¡°It¡¯s fine boys, let her pass. And we Oligarchs do not care for signs, lest they be celestial.¡± Oligarch Glatrix spoke up, making the troops split off so that the team could meet them.

    The three Oligarchs were all ornamented with high military honors, medals and purple robes draped over their bodies. Unfortunately for Vega, Glatrix''s victory at Uvi Jantok made him about five times more of an asshole.

    ¡°If this is about seeing what¡¯s in the tower, ya aren¡¯t getting in. We already made a deal-deal.¡± Vega joined Florato with a smug smile, and Glatrix was unhappy to be reminded of the deal.

    With a strong rise of disgust, Glatrix almost was ready to explode, but a hand on his shoulder from Oligarch Ruto made that cease.

    ¡°Sorry citizens, but we are all¡­ tired. Yes, tired. Thank you again for your service.¡± Ruto was in far better spirits and talked far kinder than Glatrix. Oligarch Roka hung on his back, too preoccupied with writing reports to give them a greeting.

    ¡°Appreciated. Now, can ya guys tell us what¡¯s in the box-box?¡± Vega asked with a remarkable lack of subterfuge or care of secrecy.

    Ah yes. THE BOX. The black box¡­

    Now to be fair, Vega didn¡¯t know anything about the box beyond that it was important. Oligarchs, Luisocles, all the way to Ani Arma had said it was important. But what was in it?

    Everything was a mystery to her, and much like other questions about herself, she wanted answers. She didn¡¯t want to be kept in the dark.

    The Oligarchs hid the answer away when Krimm and Florato asked Oligarch Ruto before, so it had to be secret. And Vega was starting to get annoyed with the lack of transparency.

    However, blatantly asking a state secret like it was ordinary gossip wasn¡¯t the best game plan for getting an answer.

    ¡°Uhh¡­¡± Ruto, now at a loss of words, struggled to find a fix of the situation. He seemed ready to give an answer, but the way Vega just plainly asked threw him off.

    Along with everyone else.

    ¡°Sir, umm, can you just whisper it or something? Sorbet proposed, asking from behind Krimm¡¯s back. The sooner the Oligarchs were out of there, the better she¡¯d start feeling.

    ¡°Oh my fucking god. Can you stop up? Stop talking?¡± After pinching the bridge of his nose, he pointed at Vega with anger.

    ¡°Pffh. Fine.¡± The scarecrow turned around and waited for the explanation. Climbing to Oligarch Ruto¡¯s shoulder, Roka handed him a small slip of paper. Ruto looked back, making sure that it was correct and Roka nodded.

    With one hand forward, the Oligarch gave it to the actress.

    On the paper read¡­

    ¡°Inside the box¡­ is a deadly virus.

    A virus meant to kill Ani Arma.

    More specifically, the Metallic Virus, a plague that targets nonliving matter like metal and wood.

    Oligarch Graham had designed it, since it would destroy Ani Arma¡¯s main asset¡­ his armor.

    If we do not get this box, Iozia is doomed¡­

    Have a nice day!¡±

    Florato, as you might expect, was soooooo fucking confused. Squinting down at the paper slip, she carried a look of utter contemplation.

    ¡°Why the fuck did you write ¡®have a nice day¡¯? Asking the correct question, Florato let her hands drop to her lap still holding onto the paper. Vega took the sheet and her face arrived at the same point.

    ¡°Bro¡­ this is a secret and you write a nice day-day, what, nevermind!¡± Crushing the slip into a tiny paper ball, Vega tossed it at the forehead of Oligarch Roka. With it simply bouncing off his head, he snickered slightly at their reactions.

    ¡°What did you write?¡± Ruto turned his head to him, of which Roka¡¯s laughter grew louder.

    ¡°Whatever, are we allowed to discuss this openly or-¡± Florato tried to drive the conversation to a more productive place, but was swiftly interrupted by Glatrix shushing Roka up. As soon as he was done, he turned to face the team.

    ¡°No. You aren¡¯t allowed to discuss what was written in public spaces. Only in¡­ private ones..¡± Through looking out a window on the upper floor, he saw the shadow of the second tower, still leaning on the Black wall. Making a clicking sound with his tongue, his face grew into a mysterious smile.

    Vega didn¡¯t like that smile one bit. He knew he was planning something, but not exactly what.

    ¡°Well, at least you all are working hard. You remember the plan we had for Jantok Sky?¡± Glatrix walked closer to Vega, looking at his fingernails, feigning ignorance.

    ¡°Oh yeah? The bank thing-thing¡­. What about it?¡± Crossing her arms, Vega stepped only a foot away from Glatrix. Sorbet went to go speak, but Krimm pushed her back, not wanting to spawn any further conflict.

    ¡°Ha-ppening. A fe-w mo-nths.¡± Roka spoke up, gesturing a few scrolls he was carrying. The fact that plenty of military operations and secrets were being carried by a single guy that wrote ¡®have a good day¡¯ on one of them didn¡¯t make Vega and Florato any happier.

    ¡°If that¡¯s all you guys needed to tell us, then¡­¡± Florato looked away feeling a sense of dread about what was to come. She gripped her own hand tight and looked away.

    ¡°That will be all. Keep up the good work!¡± With a genuine care in his voice, Oligarch Ruto bowed and went up and out of the theater. Ruto and Roka¡¯s troops followed them out, but Glatrix lingered there.

    He and Vega had gotten into a stare down, the other waiting for some action. Whether it be a blink, a punch, or words, they held a look of discontent on their faces. Slowly, thin darkness fell on their faces, from the clouds billowing outside.

    ¡°...just be ready¡­ ready for the future¡­¡± With one last sentence, Oligarch Glatrix stepped slowly away, and exited out with his troops.

    Uncrossing her arms and resting them on her hips, Vega closed her eyes, feeling a wave of relief. Sorbet joined her too, sighing and stopped hiding behind Krimm.

    ¡°You good?¡± Krimm patted her on the shoulder.

    ¡°Yeah¡­ just, that fucking Glatrox or Glatrix guy is a real creep. Those other two are fine but him, gross.¡± Shivering for a moment, Sorbet relaxed.This book is hosted on another platform. Read the official version and support the author''s work.

    ¡°We don¡¯t have to deal with him for now. And you two!¡±

    ¡°Hmm? Oh right. The box.¡±

    ¡°Glad they finally told us. Spill the¡­ uh¡­ beans? Is that how the Iozians say it Sorbet?¡± Krimm frowned, unsure of that was the correct way to say that saying.

    ¡°I don¡¯t know? I¡¯ve been trapped in a palace most of my life.¡± All the ice cream lady could offer was a shrug.

    ¡°Far enough. But tell us!¡± Demanding with a mild excitement, Krimm motioned the two back to the stage.

    The two looked at each other, unsure of who should tell it, if even here. But with an encouraging smile from Florato, Vega hopped back on the stage and began to speak.

    ¡°The box contains¡­ a virus. The Metallic Virus which targets¡­ nonliving matter. What-whatever that means. But, we need to get it since it¡¯s Ani¡¯s weak-weakness.¡± As Vega stopped speaking, she clutched her chest, wondering about the ¡®nonliving¡¯ part. If she were to come into contact with it, would she be hurt?

    Would she be considered living?

    ¡°Huh¡­ I¡¯ve never heard of the Metallic Virus¡­ do you guys know?¡± Rubbing her chin, Krimm immediately looked like she was piecing together a plan, but simply needed a little more info.

    ¡°I think I read it back in college?¡± Florato said while scratching her head.

    ¡°You went to college?¡± Sorbet asked with confusion.

    ¡°Yeah? How do you think I know Tripolian, music, and how to act?¡± Florato counted all her traits with her fingers, of which Sorbet shrugged again.

    ¡°Hush. What did they mean by nonliving matter? Like rocks or something?¡± Krimm walked closer to Vega, making her back up slightly.

    ¡°The paper said-said wood and metal. So I think stuff that doesn¡¯t have sentience?¡± Vega proposed, but she hoped that it wouldn¡¯t hurt her. That Virus seemed like the best shot they got.

    ¡°Is the virus racially motivated?¡± Sorbet asked all concerned.

    ¡°Well, it only targets wood and metal.¡± Florato confirmed it, but it still didn¡¯t put their fears to rest.

    ¡°Does that mean it will hurt-hurt constructs?¡± Vega walked back and forth on the stage, hoping that it would grant her safety instead of doom.

    ¡°No-no?¡± Kaliba croaked out, only guessing. The bird hopped onto Vega¡¯s head and sat down.

    ¡°Gods, these fucking Oligarchs make me want to kill myself!¡± Exclaiming out, Krimm¡¯s words make everyone burst into laughter.

    ¡°Haha! Fair enough.¡± Vega moved past Krimm and back where she was a couple of minutes ago, fighting her.

    The scarecrow had made a lot of progress these past couple months. She had to be a little proud that she was keeping up with Krimm more and more. Eventually, with her magical abilities, she might even surpass her.

    But would that be enough? Would this training, this learning to be less reliant and hurting herself for others be enough?

    Because thinking about the Metallic Virus made her worried. Sure, it wouldn¡¯t target her friends and had been designed to best Ani Arma specifically.

    But she was a creation of Ani¡¯s. Would she be spared, would she be granted that kindness? Now that she had an answer for it, she felt a little scared. That she had been carrying something that might have killed her in her body.

    Otherwise, did she have the guts enough to even go get it again? To break into a bank and steal it, just for the chance to beat Ani Arma.

    Vega did not know.

    ¡°Heh, suicide is badass!¡± Sorbet said aloud, with Krimma and Florato laughing slightly at the bizarre sentence. Snapping her out of her stupor, Vega turned around, ready to face the music.

    ¡°Speaking of suicide, ya wouldn¡¯t mind-mind stabbing me?¡± Vega asked with disturbing glee.

    ¡°¡­why?¡± Everyone asked with a collective disappointment.

    ¡°Because I need to build resistance. Maybe if I trigger a powerful enough emotional response, I could¡­ get better at magic faster!¡± Vega hopped up in the air, almost giddy to start.

    ¡°¡­from stabbing?¡± Florato dropped her frown and spoke like a concerned mom.

    ¡°Yeah!¡± Vega pumped her fist into the air.

    ¡°That¡¯s¡­ I know you¡¯re naive sometimes, but that isn¡¯t how it works.¡± Going on her knee, Florato wrapped her arm over Vega¡¯s shoulder.

    ¡°I get it, training is hard. But there¡¯s no faster path to strength but good habits.¡± Wagging her finger at Vega, Krimm spoke with firm wisdom.

    ¡°That¡¯s right. You don¡¯t just get stabbed and suddenly become resistant to it.¡± Messing with Vega¡¯s hair, Florato grew a kind but still worried smile.

    ¡°You don¡¯t? Is that just a thing for scarecrows?¡± Sorbet whispered to Florato, also causing some worry.

    ¡°No Sorbet, no one becomes stronger just by being stabbed.¡± The actress answered, disappointed by Sorbet and Vega¡¯s lack of common sense.

    ¡°Says you. I, as a former assassin, can say otherwise.¡± Krimm beat her armored chest with a fist, proud of her skills.

    ¡°Well ACTUALLY, with my-my background as a totally fucking nerd-nerd, I can-¡±

    ¡°Oh my god, hahaha! Shut up! Hahaha.¡± Krimm couldn¡¯t help but to laugh at Vega¡¯s mocking voice.

    ¡°My god Vega, you are too much.¡± Florato joined in, with a softer giggling.

    Wiping out everyone¡¯s air from their lungs, they all stood there catching their breaths. While the future was scary, they would have each to go with it.

    ¡°Alright¡­I think we¡¯re done for the day.¡± Carrying some of the notes from her seat, Sorbet waved for everyone to leave. The dimming of the sun made the theater very dark, and the many candles had finally burned out.

    Vega nearly hopped off the platform before noticing Florato hadn¡¯t left yet.

    ¡°Hey, what are you doing?¡± The scarecrow asked, not understanding why she wasn¡¯t going.

    ¡°I¡¯ll be out in a bit. Just need to make sure everything is in order. You guys go on ahead.¡± Shooting a sweet smile, Florato waved Vega forward.

    ¡°And don¡¯t forget what we talked about. Don¡¯t rely on getting hurt. You have to protect yourself¡­ okay?¡± There was a modicum of kindness in Krimm¡¯s voice, which made Vega feel for her. With a slow nod, Vega rushed out of the theater.

    Cracking her knuckles, the actress got to work closing up the theater. It took her half an hour to get it down, but ti was all worth it. She had yet to hire a guard to protect the place, but there wasn¡¯t anything she¡¯d lose here. Closing up the final curtain, Florato looked on at her own theater, happy that things had worked out this well for her.

    Just as Florato was about to leave, she felt a hand grabbing her wrist. As she turned, she half expected it to be Vega asking for some advice.

    But it was Krimm.

    ¡°Hey¡­¡± The fairy spoke, unable to look her in the eye.

    ¡°...yes Krimm? Is¡­ something wrong?¡± Florato tilted her head as she asked, with the darkness of the coming night surrounding them. The only light that was there was a lone candle Florato used to navigate the dark halls of the theater.

    ¡°...I¡­I¡¯m sorry.¡± As the words left her mouth, Krimm instinctually closed her eyes.

    ¡°What? Sorry for-?¡±

    ¡°Sorry for being an asshole. I¡¯m¡­ I know I¡¯ve been treating you guys harshly¡­ less as friends and more like co-workers or something.¡± Krimm held her arm, shyly remarking on her actions.

    Florato¡¯s eyes stood wide as she rested her hands on her chest. She didn¡¯t think Krimm had this much vulnerability in her. Though she was wearing armor, had fought Vega viciously, and even bombed their boat, she didn¡¯t appear as an assassin.

    She looked like a hurt girl. One that had some things to go through.

    ¡°I just¡­I¡¯m sorry. You guys have been so, so accommodating. Especially Sorbet, which just makes me feel bad whenever act like an asshole to her. I¡¯m sorry. Just. I don¡¯t know¡­¡± Krimm dropped her arm and bowed her body forward, with guilt falling out of her voice.

    The actress didn¡¯t know what to say. She only witnessed such emotional reflection from Vega, and while the scarecrow was far kinder and more stable, this coming from Krimm was unexpected.

    Half of her wanted to reject her apology, that she should know better by now. That they were her friends instead of her subordinates.

    But the other half, the one that nurtured Vega and the one that told her that she deserved more, wished to tell Krimm everything was okay. That she was trying, that she¡¯s okay.

    With the scar on Krimm¡¯s face, Florato knew how much the fact that they prepared and prepared hard meant to her.

    Hugging the fairy tight, the actress spoke sweetly and friendly to her.

    ¡°Thank you. I¡¯m still hurt, but I forgive you.¡±

    ¡°...thank you¡­ thank you my friend¡­¡±

    Back in the tower, Vega was still awake, processing the final batch of papers. Planting the last stack on the desk, Vega leaned back and sighed. Over the course of the months, the many libraries of the tower had become cleared and translated. There was plenty of data to go over and summarize, but this was incredible.

    There were dozens of Soul Gems, artifacts, gold and riches in the Lai Bank itself, let alone all of Iozia and Tripolia. Resting the back of her head in her arms, Vega could feel real progress.

    ¡°...ya are really doing it Vega¡­ ya can really do it. Ya can beat him. Ya are more than what he says ya are¡­ ya are more than what ya were built for.¡± Speaking the words absent mindedly, Vega laughed a little. She leaned forward in her chair and rested her head on the desk.

    ¡°All I need-need to do¡­ is to care more about myself. Learn some magic. And everything will be good¡­ and maybe talk to Skull Boy again. Or Skull¡­ he¡¯ll help me.¡± Getting up from her chair, Vega began to wander around the massive reaches of the tower, happy to think of it as home.

    She belonged here because it was made for her, yes, but because she had made it her own. Vega had taken to painting on the many blanks walls, showing the adventures and peoples she had met across the way.

    Eventually, after a full walk, she stopped on a particular painting. The one she had made of Ani Arma.

    Then she heard it.

    Well¡­ she heard him¡­

    ¡°Nevermind the darkness¡­ Nevermind the storm¡­¡± His voice echoed in the tower, traveling like a dark angel. For a bit, that¡¯s all she could sense of him. His rhythm was like a claw gliding up the skin of a neck. The scarecrow turned to see him, in a vanta black stairwell, stepping down with authority.

    ¡°Nevermind¡­ the blood red¡­ moon¡­¡± He was singing. Ani Arma was singing. His wide, threatening shape was present even in the dark. His voice was proud, almost reminiscing on a pleasant memory. And the song¡­ was a lullaby.

    This wasn¡¯t a dream. His shadows, his voice, it was all real and happening.

    Ani was here. He was here and now.

    ¡°The night will be over soon¡­.¡± Shining like a blade in moonlight, Ani stepped out into the light.

    Vega backed up, aghast at what she was seeing. How? How was he here already? And what for¡­ she was horrified to ask.

    ¡°That''s what my father sang to me, when the nightmares grew hard. That''s what I sang to my wife when she grew sick, poisoned by Iozia.¡± He raised his huge fist and uncurled it, revealing his metal fingers into sharpened knives, ready to cut Vega down.

    Vega couldn¡¯t speak, and she half wanted to run but something was keeping her there. A curiosity of what he¡¯d say.

    ¡°¡­That¡¯s the last song Ena sang¡­ That is what I will sing to you, for you will suffer. Till your heart stops beating... A lullaby for your loss!¡±

 Chapter 87: Till Your Heart Stopsâ€¦

    Chapter 87: Till Your Heart Stops¡­

    I¡¯ve made so many mistakes in my life¡­ so many¡­

    Not smelling enough flowers. Not savoring the taste of water. Not feeling the fabric of a bedsheet. Not truly, appreciating the facets of existence that one takes granted for.

    Because when you lose something that you never were grateful for, and can never get back, you feel terrible guilt. That you failed to give thanks.

    That was what Vega was feeling right now. In the worried dark of the tower, Vega wasn¡¯t thinking of a game plan, of how to survive or even beat Ani Arma. Right then, the scarecrow was thinking of things she failed to do.

    She failed to learn how to do a cartwheel, failed to hug Florato enough, failed to balance on one hand, and failed to say hello to more people.

    Clutching her chest, the scarecrow felt a weakness of spirit within herself. Not that the situation was hopeless, but her life was hopeless. That her efforts were hopeless.

    For a moment, Vega wanted to give up.

    And then Ani Arma started to talk.

    ¡°Ah¡­Vega. You look stronger!¡± His booming voice dragged Vega out of her regretting mindset, and into processing what was happening. Ani waved his open at all her body and spoke with an unmistakable compliment.

    He seemed to be taking her seriously. Bending her eyebrows down, Vega knew that she had to either buy time to think, or jump right into it.

    ¡°W-w¡­what are ya doing here?¡± Gradually regaining composure, she grabbed her pickaxe from her back. Krimm and her modified it, giving it a more refined, almost scythe-like shape.

    The fairy proposed giving her a pitchfork, but Vega screamed in fear at the suggestion. Thinking about it made Vega laugh, giving her a small wave of hope.

    ¡°What? I can¡¯t visit you?¡± Ani feigned a hurt voice, wiping a fake tear from his eyes.

    ¡°Hmm. There¡¯s more to this than-than just to fight me. What do ya want?¡± Holding her pickaxe out in her left hand, Vega put her right hand in search of one of the Soul Gems.

    Sorbet had figured a means to categorize the Soul Gem¡¯s use and effectiveness. The gem encrusted makeup jar could boost her energy, and perhaps one that could yield more. The water fountain gem manipulated water, spawning it in various forms, like ice and vapors.

    And of course the guitar singing could allow her emotive powers and songs manifest in brillant attacks and colors. This would have to have to be her workhorse, there was no other choice.

    What Vega could see of Ani Arma¡¯s eyes, what little she could see behind his mask, was that he was definitely analyzing her. She lowered her pickaxe slightly, wondering if she should reveal her better trained magic.

    ¡°...I know what you¡¯re thinking. And the answer is yes¡­¡± He moved a foot closer, before Vega sent a throwing dagger at his chest, making a loud bang.

    Of course, the attack didn¡¯t do any damage. However, it did catch Ani off guard. He didn¡¯t move any further, but took to laughing.

    ¡°Wow! Hahaha! You are taking me seriously! Haha! But just so you know¡­ you shouldn¡¯t hold back¡­¡± Bowing forward, his white eyes began sharp slits, like a venomous snake.

    His hands were open, not holding any weapon. Squinting, Vega saw that he carried nothing on his back. Deciding to feel out his rhythm, the scarecrow focused on Ani¡¯s emotions.

    His rhythm was a shaky, disturbed heartbeat. Like something barely alive, yet pumping with hot energy. There was a hidden anger, beneath the valves and in the blood. Vega felt that he was trying to conceal a piece of himself. That he wasn¡¯t showing all of his cards¡­

    ¡°Tell me. Why are ya here?¡±

    ¡°You realize you are in no position to bargain.¡±

    ¡°I am.¡±

    ¡°In what way?

    Vega didn¡¯t have anything that Ani didn¡¯t already know. Feeling a change in his rhythm, she gripped onto the make up Soul Gem, reading for what was to come. The plan was to survive, and to give Ani as much trouble as she could.

    If she was anything to him, it would be a nuisance. And that''s what she was, she was going to give it all she got and more.

    ¡°I didn¡¯t come here to talk... I came here¡­ to fight!¡± Slowly raising his hand into the air, Vega leaned her head back, wondering what he was doing. Within a few moments, a wheezing tornado sound arrived.

    And in a flash of thunder, Ani Arma¡¯s gauntlet turned into a steel plated sword fist. With a long, dagger like shape, and elegant as it was deadly. Vega almost felt embarrassed, when seeing Ani Arma¡¯s ornamented armor and weapon together.

    However, she knew that her rugged, haphazard style was nothing to be snuffed at. And she wouldn¡¯t let him get the better of her.

    ¡°Fight me? Hah¡­ then get-get ready. To die!¡± With a great, Vega pulled out the Soul Gem and immediately casted a storm of green light. Covering his eyes, Ani Arma waited for Vega to make the first move. Hearing an exciting, thrilling song playing, he anticipated her ambush.

    From out of the light Vega leapt down, covered in shadow and swinging her pickaxe down. Her face was blank, almost too emotionless, like she was trying too hard not to let out any fear.

    ¡°Seriously?¡± Ani Arma jumped up at her, pulling his fist back. And as he struck her, he broke her body in two.

    Except¡­ that wasn¡¯t the real Vega.

    As his sword hand broke the image of her, a black gas dissipated and fumbled string was heard. When Ani landed back down, he noticed two more Vegas, rushing him down.

    ¡°What?¡± Charging them down, he used his forearms to strike them both in the head. Where he intended to wound her and send Vega to the ground, he found more black gas. And just the same, he heard the song have small dents, mistakes as he took them down.

    ¡°...I see.¡± His white eyes expanded into round circles, now searching for the true Vega. Several more images of attacking Vegas arrived, all with the same expressionless face.

    Each one, he swung his sword hand at, breaking and cutting them into bits. But for each swing, the others came closer and closer still. He could hear Vega grunting and playing with effort, seeing more bursts of green light. And when one eventually struck him, he only felt a mild push as one of the Vegas disappeared.

    ¡°Ha! Is this it?¡± He stopped taking the shadows of Vega down, and threw his head back in laughter. The Vegas mounted up in number and struck him, ceasing as they landed their strikes. Despite this, Ani got a faint feeling that there was something wrong.Stolen from Royal Road, this story should be reported if encountered on Amazon.

    He looked behind his head, and saw the real Vega, slamming her pickaxe into his center chest. With a minor gasp, Ani reeled back, steadying himself. The glee on Vega¡¯s face was real, much different to the shadows. And soon, she disappeared too, into the dark.

    ¡°Ohohohoho! Now this is interesting.¡± Getting ready for more, Ani opened up his stance, inviting Vega to try. More false Vegas emerged from the dark, hopping and dancing all around. While it was hard to keep track of all of them, Ani started to break down which one was real.

    Most struck without planning, without using cover and running straight at him. But there was a couple that when to sweep his legs and gouge his eyes. However, in the mass of attackers, he knew that there was only going to be one that attacked his back.

    Moving with remarkable agility, Ani Arma cleared out wave after wave of Vegas, and with a balled and mean fist, struck Vega in the face. She skidded on the ground, bumping into one of the many desks. Her guitar had fallen from her hands and as she reached out the grab it, Ani went on the offensive.

    Vega rolled back onto her feet, blocking Ani¡¯s whirling and spinning swings. In a way the two were dancing, making sure to clear past the furniture and the walls, not wanting the other to get a break. Catching a glimpse of the guitar, Vega kicked off Ani¡¯s chest and backflipped to grab it.

    ¡°Yes!¡± Exclaiming with relief, she felt like she still had a chance.

    Managing to play a few chords, Vega summoned more false versions of her to distract Ani. Although he simply brushed them off, it gave her all the time she needed to grab the water fountain Soul Gem.

    With the sound of crashing waves behind him, Ani swiveled behind to a staircase, seeing a rising tide! Blasting directly into him, Ani his arms over his face, as the tides of water sent him flying. Now able to get the drop on him, Vega finally was able to get a good swing, managing to dent his shoulder plate.

    As he splattered on the ground, he was coated in clear blue water that now was steaming of his armor. Throwing his chainmail hair behind him, Ani Arma waved Vega forward. Even though she could not see his face, Vega knew he was smiling.

    Feeling that he was testing her, Vega started to play a new song of hers. Less electric and more sentimental, like a lone musician trying to catch someone¡¯s eye.

    ¡°Let¡¯s kick it up a notch!¡± Juggling the Soul Gems in her hand, Vega started to play her guitar with her Soul Gems.

    More shadows appeared, alongside a wave of water. While Ani was able to dodge the water with ease, the shadows not so much. Over time, more the fake Vega¡¯s attacks were mounting, pushing him more and more.

    Although this was dealing damage, Vega could feel it. The pain sensation, coming back.

    Like a spider crawling on her back, using the Soul Gems all at the same time was exhausting her. Her fingers grew sore and her legs wobbled weakly. She didn¡¯t know how long she could keep it up, but it was the only thing that was working.

    Whenever Ani dodged one, he was struck by the other. Whether it be a ball of ice or a horde of false Vegas, he persisted. Grunting, heaving through the obstacles, Ani Arma rose past them. And he knew that Vega was doing everything to tire him out, but she made a terrible mistake.

    She assumed Ani carried no magics of his own.

    As Vega played her guitar, she felt her pickaxe start to shake, and rise from her back. And she saw it over head, it glowed a malevolent red and spun at her!

    Barely able to jump back, the pickaxe blitzed into the ground she was just standing on, sending sparks all around. Ani Arma¡¯s gauntlets glowed red, and Vega understood why he didn¡¯t carry any Soul Gems on him.

    Ani had infused the Soul Gems into his very armor!

    ¡°What?! How are ya-¡± Narrowly hopping over the spinning pickaxe, Vega forgot to keep playing her guitar and soon the shadows and the waves of water dissipated.

    ¡°You¡¯re not the only one with power yet unleashed.¡± Conjuring a thunderbolt around his sword hand, everything in the room trembled, with the ceiling cracking open.

    All of a sudden, the pickaxe fell to the ground, no longer glowing red. When Vega went to pick it up, she noticed the objects on the table had started to float. All the metals, from scrap weaporny, tools, and stray wires swirled around her.

    Snapping his fingers, Ani sent a barbed string through Vega, puncturing a hole through her. Noticing how instantaneous she was struck, the scarecrow got into a defensive position.

    Throwing everything at her all at once, Vega slid and flipped all around. Running across walls, jumping off the ceiling, and simply putting all her acrobatic skills to the tests.

    ¡°I¡­ can¡¯t keep this up¡­ I need-need to force him to play my game¡­¡± She spoke to herself, driving her feet hard into the ground on every step. One of the training spears in the room was zooming towards Vega, buzzing as it did. Forced to roll of the table to dodge, Vega sent all the papers she had been working on in the air.

    ¡°Yes. Yes! Let¡¯s dance!¡± Crouching and then lunging at Vega, Ani joined her in this dexterous chase. Using the objects to force her to stumble, he got ever closer to striking her. Every trip, every fall brought them closer together, and Vega knew she had only a chance.

    A final gamble to ensure Ani would be defeated.

    ¡°Come on! Ya keep on missing!¡± With a haggard breath, Vega lured him out the room and into a ruined staircase. Small and tense, Ani¡¯s swordhand broke and clashed at the walls, unable to reach her. His swings grew stronger and violent, which was exactly as she planned.

    Using the water Soul Gem, Vega turned the floor into a reflective ice. Not expecting this, his feet slipped forward and went down the stairs. As he slid, he saw Vega smiling, along with an opening in the staircase, leading to a terrible fall.

    ¡°...ha¡­hahaha! Is that all you can come up with?¡±  Driving his fist into the wall, he anchored himself just before he could fly out. Hooked in, Ani twirled his whole body in the air, stunning Vega by this incredible move.

    Driving both of his feet into her stomach, Ani dropped kicked her all the wall down the stairs!

    As she tumble out, Ani pressed his offensive, not letting Vega get one more chance to recover. He towered over her in a strong walk while she was forced to backpedal and stagger.

    Only able to cast a few more shadows, Vega tried desperately to strike Ani¡¯s face. But he laughed as he waved and struck everyone of them down.

    Falling down on one knee, Vega saw Ani had stopped moving. He tilted his head and pointed to his neck, encouraging her to attempt it.

    ¡°... I¡­ I¡­ I¡¯m not a fool¡­¡± Unable to even muster a yell, Vega dropped her pickaxe on the ground and was barely able to hold herself up.

    ¡°Really? After all these months¡­ you were incapable of lasting a couple of minutes. I know, I was disappointed in you before, but now? Ha!¡± Ani Arma slowly stepped by Vega¡¯s hand.

    Putting his foot over her head, he rubbed his heel into the back of her head. Groaning in pain, Vega tried to punch him, but she was tapped of her energy.

    ¡°Aww, so cute¡­ like a bratty child.¡± Ani mocked her, now stomping down on her head.

    The scarecrow gave everything she got.

    Closing her eyes, Vega wondered about everything she had gotten to do. Everything she wanted to do. Everything that she could do. And how it was all about to end then and there.

    There was a part of her that was okay with dying here. She had a good couple of months, some people only have one good day.

    And yet, there was a fire in her. One that hurt more than the pain she was in. A loving yet hateful one.

    Vega wouldn¡¯t let it happen. Not here. Not now.

    ¡°I¡­ am¡­ Vega.¡± Pushing herself up, Vega felt her fibers quake. But she didn¡¯t care about that. She needed to prove something. The wounds, the sores, all of that didn¡¯t matter. She wouldn¡¯t let him do this.

    ¡°Vega¡­ the scarecrow¡­ The mightiest¡­smartest, kindest, and most bestest construct of all!¡± She stood up, stronger than she had ever been before. Her stitching was ripped, and her fist was barely holding together.

    And yet she was stronger, because she didn¡¯t run away. Because she deserves more than she was given.

    Holding her fist to the sky, the Scarecrow was ready to face the future. Her future.

    ¡°And ya, Ani Arma¡­ must die!¡± Tear came to Vega¡¯s eyes, those of pain and vigour. In the cracks in the walls, there arrived a soft and powerful light, shining upon Vega¡¯s form.

    Standing back, Ani Arma took the scene in. Despite being completely beaten, she still impressed her. Even though he knew she was in terrible pain.

    ¡°...nicely done¡­¡± Clapping his hands in half a silly and half a genuine fashion. Letting his hands fall to his side, Ani Arma make sure her victory was as bittersweet as possible.

    There was a quiet for a while. One that Vega didn¡¯t know how to feel about.

    Walking away, towards an unknown dark, Ani Arma didn¡¯t care to look at Vega. He had gotten what he wanted.

    ¡°You still have more time. But no matter what you do¡­ you will still¡­ be mine.¡± With one last word¡­ Ani Arma disappeared. From where, Vega knew not. She could not care¡­ she was tired¡­

    ¡°Vega! Vega? What was that?¡± Hearing the distant voices of her friends, Vega decided this was a good time to collapse on the ground.

    Falling forward, her pain melted away and a strange feeling radiated around her. She was too tired to think and all she could do was close her eyes.

    As they closed, she heard the muffled footsteps and muddy images of her friends arriving.

    One finally thought, before she went unconscious, bounced in her head.

    This life¡­ is mine.

 Final Break! (1 Month.)

    Hello everyone, Century Robot here.

    I hope you guys are doing well, things are going pretty good with my life. Like, pretty good. Got money in the bank, hanging out with friends and family. Still sleep like shit, but what can you do?

    I''m writing this to say that I really want to finish this story well. And to be honest, I think I need some time to delivery something that I''m not only proud of, but you guys will really enjoy.Love what you''re reading? Discover and support the author on the platform they originally published on.

    This is not going to be me just dicking around for a long time, I''m gonna really put everything I got into these last couple of chapters.

    And that''s going to take a month.

    Specifically, 3/14! Vega of the Wastes will return on 3/14!

    I get it, that''s a big chunk of time! And I don''t blame you for feeling discontent about this. But I promise you, like all the other breaks, I will return.

    Hopefully, when I''m all finished, I will release these last chapters in bursts!

    And more importantly... when I return... the best will finally arrive.

 Chapter 88: A Heartfelt Reunion! (Part 1!)

    Chapter 88: A Heartfelt Reunion! (Part 1!)

    On a journey of a thousand nations and peoples, a Scarecrow has changed and been changed.

    Nearly a year since the Scarecrow wandered out of her field and into the wide, warring seas of Iozia and Tripolia, and she has come a long way. From humble upbringing and unknown origin, this hay girl has been seeking, searching for an answer.

    An answer to a question¡­ that was herself.

    Once unable to live without seeking others, the Scarecrow had a distinct discontent. A perpetual unhappiness behind the unending smile, of never truly finding hearts to fit with. Instead of being able to fill her own heart with love, she sought to put her love into the hearts of others.

    If she could not be of use, what was the point?

    Without use¡­ she thought herself a failure¡­

    She needed someone.

    And there was¡­ an Elf!

    One that held a lot of insecurities, a lot of red hair and freckles, and a lot of curses and cruel laughter. Many derived from a tribe that valued strength in the masculine, and this Elf could not provide.

    He felt¡­ weak.

    This Elf was joined by a Soldier, A Tripolian, and A Kid. All of them are a ball of problems and complaints. And all of them a blanket of kindness and humor. They had each other, and soon they¡¯d have another.

    When meeting the Scarecrow, they all had a mixture of reactions and transactions. But, over their collective journey, they changed along with her. Once seeing her a tool, then an acquaintance, then a friend, then a confidant, and then a loved one.

    One such loved one, was an Actress. Through her friendship with the Scarecrow, she had helped her see the world in a new way. And gave her an instruments to summon herself.

    Her most prized possession, a guitar.

    And a more major, although intangible, a sense of self worth.

    Soon, this Scarecrow would impact their hearts, their hopes, and perhaps their very souls with her unwavering kindness and determination.

    All¡­ except the Elf.

    He saw the Scarecrow and thought her an idiot, a gullible fool whose sociable persona gave her success where he had failed. That she was rewarded for kindness, and he suffered for his unasured pride.

    How was he losing¡­ to her?

    In a moment of confrontation, the Scarecrow gave him some key advice. Perspective from a simple body. That soon long as he focused on himself, he would forfeit others. That you can improve yourself, along with others.

    What matters is that you try to make a world with less suffering.

    From that, the Elf realized how close he and the Scarecrow were. Both of them were struggling with wounds inflicted upon them by unknown parties. Struggling, screaming, raging would not stop the pain.

    You have to learn to sew yourself and sew the people you love.You must love yourself and others, lest you forget what you¡¯re fighting for. That you¡¯re only weak if you decide you are. You deserve better than what rulers inflict on you. What you were made from and born from doesn¡¯t have to define all that you are.

    The truth will set you free.

    ¡°Ya should not surrender, for your life is yours.¡± Resting her chin on the balcony, Vega spoke softly into the spring wind.

    After several months of training, Vega remembered all that had happened to her. Of course she had to, it was a new year!

    From her room, Vega saw a few thousand grand sights. One of which, drum roll please, she wasn¡¯t in Uvi Jantok anymore!

    Of course, she could see the black walls from miles away, but right now, she was sailing on a luxury, all expense paid, coastline cruise. Best part about it, Vega had plenty of company.

    The coastliner, designed in the image of a sleeping turtle, was made out of red tropical wood and fitted with dozens of potted flowers and beautiful trees. In fact, it was originally Oligarch Tibato¡¯s before some watchmen found (cough cough, fuck paying for shit, cough cough) it in a dock.

    Pushing herself off the railing, Vega looked to her right, seeing the continually rebuilding Uvi Jantok. Although a yellowish blur, she knew that this place would not be too distant. And of course, she and her friends would have to revisit.

    Speaking of, her friends were on the deck, leisurely enjoying themselves. Florato, having decided to cut her hair to a more manageable size, had changed the most. Having started to join the others in their training, she moved swiftly and with a lot more confidence. Of course, she had a ton of confidence to begin with, but now she seemed as strong as Amir, at least in spirit.

    Playing her ocarina, it sounded like a wonderful songbird, floating in the glowing sky above. As Florato finished the end of her melody, she waved up at Vega who responded with a relaxed smile.

    Similar in mood, Kaliba rested in a bowl of grapes. Sleeping soundly, the crow was maintaining a sense of grace and kindness not usually seen.

    Krimm and Sorbet were not too far from Florato, enjoying the light dishes that the crew were providing them. Practicing both curiosity and patience, Sorbet tended to savor and chew on her food a lot more. And as you might expect, Krimm showed no fashion and simply ate the food like they were snacks. Upon seeing Sorbet¡¯s giggling face, Krimm moved a tad slower, out of respect.

    ¡°Man¡­ this is all-all gonna go away pretty soon¡­¡± Letting her eyes droop down, Vega felt a chill roll down her stomach. Walking away from the balcony, she pushed open the doors to her private room.

    This story has been stolen from Royal Road. If you read it on Amazon, please report it

    There wasn¡¯t much in there, simply the expensive bed and furniture. The one thing she had brought was a strange looking book. Haphazardly bounded with red, thorny vines and made out of iron sheets, this book sort of resembled Vega.

    Picking it up, she sat down on the bed and laid the book on the lap. The only light was coming from the balcony but at this distance she couldn¡¯t see the cover. Her eyebrows were bent and her eyes squinted down. Hunched over the book, Vega almost seemed to curl around it.

    ¡°...will it be enough¡­¡± Hugging the book to her chest, Vega stared out at the wall before here. She wasn¡¯t seeing the wall, but a memory from a not too long ago past.

    Of Ani Arma and their fight. Although she managed to surprise him and give him some damage, he absolutely floored her with his speed, strength, and unending stamina. He was more than human, some awful force had to be powering him.

    But that¡¯s not what made her off put, it''s the fact that he outsmarted her. He had every counter to her strategies and if he hadn¡¯t spared her, it would have been over.

    Absent-mindedly, Vega had started to scratch the back of her head. After the fight with Ani Arma, she had to get more repairs, putting solid plate metal at the back of her head. It wasn¡¯t there wasn¡¯t any fabric or thread.

    It was the fact that it wasn¡¯t healing.

    Florato had told her that the fabric, although stitched in, wasn''t ¡®sewing¡¯ the same way as before. Where Vega could heal and stick a random limb back on and it would work, the back of her head wasn¡¯t working the same.

    Sure, she could heal from other battles and she had healed since then, but the fact that this one injury couldn¡¯t be fixed like the others disturbed her like no other battle had.

    Gripping hard on the book tight, Vega realized that she was accidentally damaging it. Placing it right beside her, she fell back and laid out a big sigh.

    ¡°Will I be enough?¡±

    ¡°I hope so.¡± Skull said.

    ¡°What the fuck!?¡± Falling off the bed, Vega searched for the voice and eventually stumbled upon her shadow, now changed once more.

    ¡°Sorry. Can¡¯t control when I show up and all.¡± Shrugging, Skull spoke apologetically.

    ¡°Skull! It¡¯s been a while bro-bro!¡± Beaming with newfound joy, the scarecrow scrambled towards Skull.

    ¡°Its only been a day!¡± Backing away slightly, Skull held his hands close to his chest, yelling with a bit of laughter.

    ¡°I know!¡± Vega mimics a hug of Skull, since she can¡¯t properly hug him. And for some reason, he embarrassingly squirmed out of it.

    ¡°Hey hey! Okay! Jeez¡­¡± Skull rubbed the back of his head, recovering from the gesture.

    ¡°How goes the Soul-soul Gem making?¡± Hoping to her feet, Vega opened up her shirt and pulled out a pen and pad.

    Flipping through a couple of notes like ¡®how much do mercenaries cost?¡¯ and ¡®number of war crimes committed by Oligarch Tibato¡¯, Vega finally stopped on a page that said ¡®Soul Gem Production¡¯.

    ¡°Ya sure ya don¡¯t want to talk about what¡¯s happening? Ya seemed a little sad before I got here¡­¡± Shifting through her shadow, Skull looked like he was sitting on the bed. Vega looked down for a moment, before shaking her head.

    ¡°We only got a month on our hand-hands and I¡¯m not wasting time here. Come on!¡± Vega spoke with a military voice and immediately, the two constructs stood at attention. For a couple of seconds Skull looked around, unsure of what to do.

    ¡°Oh right!¡± Skull wove his hand and from out of sight, summoned a clipboard and donned a visor on his head. ¡°Soul Gem production has increased by ten percent in the last two weeks, with today being the highest all year with four Soul Gems.¡±

    ¡°And today¡¯s description?¡± Vega tapped her pen against the notepad, increasingly in speed.

    There were a few columns, type, number, and volatility. There was a small scribble in the margin saying ¡®from Skull, stop overdosing on Soul Gems¡¯.

    ¡°Two support types of quality M and Volatility J. One transmutative quality NC with Volatility K. And finally, one destructive Soul Gem of quality NX with volatility XK.¡±

    ¡°An NK XK? That¡¯s the-the second one we have! Nice work.¡± Vega wrote down the progress with great speed and enthusiasm, while Skull seemed to be nervously happy with the compliment.

    ¡°R-right. Right-right!¡± Flipping to the next paper on his clipboard, Skull cleared his throat and steadied himself.

    ¡°Good. Good. Now your recon. Reports?¡± Vega bent her head forward, without

    looking away from her notes.

    ¡°Unable to scout further. All exits from the Lai Bank have been checked with no known way to open. Though that is subject to change.¡± Skull momentarily laid his clipboard on his lap before lifting it up again.

    ¡°And the patrols?¡± Vega lingered on this sentence the longest, as if holding her breath.

    ¡°No change in patrol. Watchmen still haven¡¯t suspected a thing-thing.¡± With an clear retelling, Skull put Vega¡¯s worries at rest.

    ¡°Alright! Then that means-¡±

    ¡°However.¡± Holding up his hand, Skull forced Vega to stop and listen. There wasn¡¯t a sense of urgency in his voice, but a mild intrigue. ¡°I did hear something from the watchmen.¡±

    ¡°What-what was-was it?¡±

    ¡°Something about a party? It''s supposed to happen in a week or two, but I didn¡¯t get too many details. What I have heard, it''s got to be big.¡± Using his arms to stretch out wide, Skull sought to show that it was going to be something huge.

    Although his skeletal frame could not fully show it, Vega imagined a grand party. An event in stark contrast to Uvi Jantok. Where the rebuilding, husk of a city was still underway, the lights and glamor of Jantok Sky would glow and sparkle. Where there was wood would be marble, and were there was sand would be jade.

    ¡°Hmmm¡­. Okay¡­¡± Vega jotted the idea down, smaller than the other notes, with a couple of question marks around it. Putting the event off, Vega¡¯s face relaxed into a slight frown. Sitting back down on the bed, the scarecrow found herself in the same emotional place.

    ¡°Now. Is there something about ya?¡± Floating over to Vega¡¯s back, Skull seemed to rest his head against hers. Like made Vega a little more open, as if she could feel his trusting presence more.

    ¡°Me?¡± Tapping her chest, Vega scoffed at the notion.

    ¡°Vega, whenever I show up, you¡¯re in emotional distress-tress. It''s kinda in my job description now.¡± His casual tone and leaning posture made it clear that he wasn¡¯t suspecting anything, he knew what was going on. All Vega had to do was to say out loud, to put her heart in the air.

    Her eyes wandered back to the book. Still shrouded in darkness, Vega didn¡¯t know what to make of it.

    ¡°Skull¡­ have ya ever felt¡­ stuck?¡±

    ¡°What¡­what do ya mean-mean?¡± Gently sending his clipboard away, he floated to Vega¡¯s face. He went close, close enough that he lowered his voice a little. Vega got up and started to pace around.

    ¡°Like¡­ like you¡¯re moving down the road of life when suddenly¡­¡± Stopping before she completely her next step, Vega looked frozen in time.

    ¡°...¡± Skull stared at her, waiting for her to complete her thought.

    ¡°Ya can¡¯t move?¡± Letting her foot fall back down, Vega turned to point at Skull. Quickly she swiveled her head to the balcony, to the light of the day. She clutched her chest, tight enough to wrinkle it.

    ¡°Ya see everyone speeding away, on-on their nice horses and shoes, while ya are chained. By yourself, by your situation¡­ by your station.¡± Letting her hands fall, Vega held her head, looking out at the beauty beyond.

    Standing there, Vega looked at a world full of beauty while encircled by dark and shadow.

    ¡°There is a whole world out there¡­ and I can¡¯t see it right now. I want to see it all! And yet¡­ I''m not sure whether I¡¯ll survive out not¡­not¡­¡± Wandering over to where the book laid, Vega¡¯s hands shook as she reached out to touch it. Her left hand gently unraveled and rested on its irregular cover. Closing her eyes, the scarecrow let out a sigh.

    ¡°Yes. Absolutely Vega.¡± Skull appeared from the shadow she casted on the book and rose to her eyes.

    ¡°...Ya do?¡±

    ¡°To be honest¡­ ever since¡­. ever since Kaliber died.¡± His voice showed no lie. It hurt her like a thunderbolt, traveling through her body in a hot sharp pain. Of course Vega knew, there was no doubt. That the one she searched for was dead. That her search was really for herself.

    ¡°Ya know¡­I never thought I¡¯d get here. I¡¯m stuck, I thought. That this mystery construct wouldn¡¯t show-show. That¡¯d be here! Forever while the world moved on without me¡­¡± Letting out more angst and tension than he expected, Skull wove his hands over head in a great display of giving up. Once he realized, he dropped his arms and held one shyly.

    Vega giggled at this gesture, and it genuinely made her feel better. That there was someone who got it. Skull moved back, more composed and ready to express.

    ¡°But¡­ ya did show up. Ya pulled me out of the stupor, out the cement. That there really was-was a construct like me. And for once, I didn¡¯t feel so unsure about everything.¡±

    ¡°That I could relax, be less caught up in my own head and more¡­ into the lives of others¡­ that i didn''t have to watch the world go by and be a part of it.¡± Motioning to hold her hands, Skull got close to Vega and looked down at her. For some reason, it made Vega smile and her chest warm. She had to keep going. That she wasn¡¯t stuck so long as she moved.

    ¡°So what I''m trying to say is that¡­ things can change. I¡¯m proof of that, you¡¯re proof of that. Please Vega¡­ you¡¯re going to survive. And¡­¡±

    On the paths of life, some stay close and some never meet again. People that always stick together, and others that forget them.

    But, rarely, as we continue forward, we find our paths leading in the same direction.

 Chapter 88: A Heartfelt Reunion! (Part 2!)

    Chapter 88: A Heartfelt Reunion! (Part 2!)

    As we walk forward on the paths of life, we rarely find them leading to the same place.

    And what is Vega¡¯s path leading to, you might ask?

    Well, leading to someone¡¯s grave.

    A hundred miles away from Uvi Jantok lies a small seaside township. One not too different from Cold Cavern, with a rugged and poor appearance. Except it was far breezier and more comfy, with warm sands and the glowing sun overhead.

    With the crystal clear waters and red leaf trees, you could come up with a thousand pleasant names for this town. However, the name Star Shine was one that anyone could hardly disagree with.

    Often, early in the morning, the sands twinkled and sparkled like stars, so it was accurate! A tropical paradise, a place people would love, but don¡¯t need to visit.

    But now, after five months of work¡­ This would be the meeting place of the party. Here, they were remarking on what they had accomplished and what they had yet to do.

    And here, they¡¯d enjoy the last moments of peace before facing the future.

    ¡°Are we there yet?¡±

    ¡°No¡­ no we¡¯re not Skaldi.¡± Bolato called out from the front of the ship. A much more modest and smaller civilian boat, the party sailing from Core Civitus had a tin knit experience.

    ¡°Skaldi, haven¡¯t you asked that ten times already?¡± Valiato, who was busy staring at a school of fish beside them, turned to Skaldi.

    ¡°Heh, that¡¯s kind of the joke.¡± Relaxed and reclined on a thin fold out chair, Skaldi didn¡¯t bother to move his head to face the kid. He had an NON ALCOHOLIC beverage in his hand, a sugary blue liquid with a cheap ruby placed in for the sake of looking cool.

    ¡°~Want me to fill it up?~¡± Holding a large pitcher of the drink, it was actually Amir offering to pour some more out. Not only this, but the Tripolian was actually wearing a big braided sun hat. Of course he didn¡¯t take of his turban, but this was a nice look for him.

    And surprisingly, his make up had changed. In all the years the Tripolian had been with the team, he had never changed his green makeup. But now, both he and Valiato were wearing a more turquoise emerald. Perhaps to the untrained eye, the makeup might look the same, but Skaldi could instantly tell.

    A lot had changed for them. More than Skaldi could take note.Skaldi felt more muscular, and perhaps a little wider. He still had his feminine style and features, but with a little more statuesque shape.

    Bolato (much to Skaldi¡¯s liking) had become a wide and buff shape. He still had a big belly (also to Skaldi¡¯s liking) but the main changes were to his gear, having been granted the honor of wearing centurion armor. This made him shine and gleam in the sun, and also pretty hot.

    Not in the homosexual way, I mean like to touch him? I¡¯m already digging myself a hole, moving on!

    Valiato had actually grown a lot taller since they were last here, and Skaldi could feel that she was going to tower over him pretty soon. He thought of getting an artist, to capture how they all looked before she got too big.

    She might become as tall as Amir, who had the least amount of changes compared to them all. He had the same tactics, same stature and hidden face. But perhaps it was less with his body and equipment, and more posture. A tad bit more calm, less of a teacher. Skaldi imagined that Amir was planning to finish off lessons with Valiato.

    Perhaps Amir was getting ready to die.

    His eyes didn¡¯t blink the same, his movements a bit more careful. As he held out his cup, Amir poured the pitcher with both his hands even though he was strong enough to do it with one. He wasn¡¯t getting slow or worried, but more thoughtful. Reflective.

    The elf wondered what he should say. Was this learned, elder, and long lived Tripolian scared? Scared that he should die? That he would?

    Sitting up in his seat, Skaldi smiled and nodded to the Tripolian, who nodded back. Although he knew he needed to improve himself, he couldn¡¯t forget about the ones that are here too. Lest he forget what made him change.

    ¡°Hey Valiato? What¡¯s the first thing you want to ask Florato when we get there?¡± Skaldi said to the open sky, with Valiato running up to his long chair. She was giddy with a thousand questions, however she chose just one.

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    ¡°I want to ask her how to play the ocarina.¡± Valiato jumped up and down for a moment, and Skaldi¡¯s eyes opened wide and he turned fast to her.

    ¡°Ocarina? I thought you might want to ask her how to dance or maybe the guitar? Why the ocarina?¡± Setting down his drink, Skaldi got up and sat in front of her. His face was that of disbelief and he had shaken his head a couple times after hearing it.

    ¡°Well why not?¡± Valiato spoke with pride and shrugged. She almost seemed like she was joking with him, but her eyes let on that she wasn¡¯t.

    ¡°Doesn¡¯t seem like your style. Seems more¡­ too calm than you?¡± Skaldi wove his hand around before tapping Valiato¡¯s nose.

    ¡°That¡¯s racist Skaldi. Just because she has a Tripolian dad doesn¡¯t me-¡±

    ¡°Shut up Bolato! I didn¡¯t even mean it like that!¡± As Skaldi finished speaking, he could only hear his hearty laughs.

    ¡°What does racist mean Skaldi?¡± She squinted one eye at the elf, unsure of the word that everyone says in this place but not getting an actual answer.

    ¡°I got no fucking clue kid. B-but that¡¯s not the point. Why the ocarina?¡±

    ¡°...I think I like¡­ kind of sounds like you?¡± The kid¡¯s head tilted, in that way  sincerity that you can¡¯t fake or manufacture. As Valiato said it, Skaldi¡¯s heart warmed and cooled.

    ¡°Oh Valiato.¡± Skaldi nearly fell out of his seat, so touched by her reasoning.

    ¡°~Did you say something absolutely adorable kid?~¡± Amir also yelled out.

    ¡°~I think so.~¡± Valiato confirmed.

    ¡°~You should do that more often.~¡± Amir yelled again.

    ¡°You¡­ you really think that?¡± The elf leaned towards her, holding his chest.

    ¡°Yeah¡­ cause you sound cool. I think.¡± Valiato shrugged, embarrassed by how serious Skaldi was taking this.

    ¡°That just might be the best thing I¡¯ve ever heard.¡± Skaldi fell back onto his chair and looked up in the amazing sky above.

    ¡°Well, its true. You¡¯re pretty cool.¡± Having enough of the redhead¡¯s sentiment, Valiato walked away and back to looking at the fish. As she did, Skaldi looked at her glad that he sounded cool and reminded her of an ocarina. He grabbed his drink and begin to rest again.

    Gently savoring the drink, Skaldi felt the cool wind begin to die down. He breathed in and enjoyed it as long as it lasted. And as soon as it ended Skaldi finished his drink and rose up, then came to Bolato¡¯s side.

    Not in the homosexual way, god fucking damn it! Why do I keep on doing this?

    The redhead leaned on the soldier¡¯s shoulder, which made them both chuckle slightly. Bolato¡¯s gaze didn¡¯t change, with his eyes only widening.

    ¡°Hey¡­ I think we¡¯re almost there.¡± The soldier let go of the ship¡¯s wheel and stood back, admiring the village in the distance.

    ¡°¡­it¡¯s been nearly half a year since we left¡­¡± Brushing the back of his head, Skaldi could hardly believe it. So much had changed, yet so little. So much time had passed, yet not much at all.

    ¡°Hey, we did good work back there. You did good work.¡± Bolato gave Skaldi¡¯s head a light push, making them both laugh.

    Looking at the village before them, Skaldi imagined the course of time as a river and their few months as but a single drop in it.

    He also imagined what Florato or Sorbet might say about that. Maybe Florato would say he¡¯s getting pretty poetic or Sorbet would wonder the fuck¡¯s a river.

    Eventually he got to Vega, and he wondered the longest about her. Not that he was worried about her and what might have happened, but scared himself.

    That his efforts would not match hers.

    Sure, it might be foolish to compare yourself to a scarecrow. But this scarecrow was remarkably human. Or sentient to be more inclusive of a term. Fuck sake, I forget there are more sentient people and shit.

    Yet Vega was not of ordinary sentience. Not even as an insult, Vega¡¯s abilities and perceptiveness on things was totally unique to her that it would be hard to mistake that. And last time he was here, Vega had managed to do magical feats that had never seen before or since.

    He took a long look, at Valiato and Amir, enjoying the

    ¡°Are you thinking about something?¡± Wrapping his arm around his neck, Bolato whispered into Skaldi¡¯s ear.

    ¡°Yep.¡±

    ¡°Is it about yourself and how you don¡¯t feel enough and that you¡¯re short and girly and blah blah-¡° Making a mocking mouth with one of his hands, Bolato rolled his eyes and smiled. Although Skaldi laughed and understood the gesture, he felt a little hurt from it.

    ¡°Okay okay! Oh my gods! Bolato, it¡¯s easy for you to say that. It¡¯s hard for me to deal with it.¡± Skaldi faked a punch to his cheek (which one, I¡¯ll let you decide) and crossed his arms.

    ¡°Hey, I¡¯ve been right next to you this entire time. I¡¯m your number one¡­ so what are you thinking?¡± Briefly, Bolato didn¡¯t look eye to eye with Skaldi, but held his shoulders tight and firm. And as he leaned forward to Skaldi, Bolato made a firm smile.

    ¡°¡­I don¡¯t know¡­ bit uneasy¡­ it¡¯s not that I feel like I¡¯m not trying hard or I haven¡¯t changed. Alright? But, left behind? Do you get what I mean?¡± Looking down and darting his eyes back and away from Bolato''s gaze, Skaldi spoke softly.

    ¡°...yeah. I get that.¡± Letting go of Skaldi and walking to the side of the ship. Bolato¡¯s gaze changed from the strong and brave face to a more thoughtful and unsure one. While initially Skaldi felt scared that this always composed hero had a moment of weakness, he started to feel better.

    That his minor worry was justified, that it was a valid thing to feel. While it was solving his problem, he felt better that he could share it with him.

    ¡°Come on Skaldi! You bested the meanest warriors out there. You got a smart brain and some guts not too many guys out there got!¡±

    ¡°Yeah¡­thanks sweetie.¡±

    ¡°No worries hubby.¡±

    Taking out a small object from his back of handing, Skaldi held it up and stretched out his arm.

    In his palm was a rusty axe head, about the size of his forearm and with Galtian runes made of sapphire.

    Skaldi¡¯s stunned Soul Gem.

    If there was something to help close the gap, to close the distance between what Vega could do and what he could do, this was it.

    A Soul powered with purpose.

 Chapter 88: A Heartfelt Reunion! (Part 3!)

    Chapter 88: A Heartfelt Reunion! (Part 3!)

    Having landed about an hour ago, Vega and her friends were lounging around a gambling parlor. Florato and Sorbet, in a surprise upset, had decided going on a drinking binge would be a nice change of pace?

    How did this go, you might ask?

    Uh¡­ well¡­

    ¡°GOD THAT TASTES LIKE POISON! GAH!¡± Immediately spitting out the spicy awfulness in her mouth, Florato hunched over and began to retch.

    ¡°Me thinks poison tastes like rainbow¡­wow¡­¡± Having already finished her five jar (yes, an actual jar) of booze, Sorbet was fucking smashed. Her face had turned from orange to a pinkish red, and now she barely able to keep her own head up.

    Kaliba, also in a surprise upset, was playing poker with some of the locals. And he was somehow winning. There was a big crowd around, betting on how long the bird would keep going, earning cheers for every player knocked out.

    Granted, the crow had no clue how to play, but all he did was keeping on going all in and having lucky cards

    ¡°You suck-suck.¡± The bird croaked at the old man who just lost.

    ¡°Ehh screw you. Bird doesn¡¯t even have a good poker face.¡± The old man grumbled as he waddled away. I mean, you¡¯d feel bad if you lost to a bird at anything. But at gambling? You did that to yourself.

    ¡°Let¡¯s dance. I know you got some secret to your strategy, but what is it?¡± A seasoned gambler leaned forward on the table, as all the other players shook their heads in shame.

    Krimm wasn¡¯t one for drinking. Not because she didn¡¯t like it, but because she rather enjoy a little me time. Though she didn¡¯t get much because everyone kept asking her for an autograph for some reason.

    As for Vega¡­ she was sitting alone at the bar. Everyone there was either sitting at the tables or watching Kaliba, but she chose to stay there for a more secluded feeling. The book was there, staring at her and face down. On its back was a simple introduction which read¡­

    For all that wish to be free. For all that wish to discover what has been hidden. For all that are ghosts.

    Tapping her finger on the book, Vega rested her head on the bar table. A small cup dropped in front of her and the sound of pouring liquid followed.

    Vega sat up and saw an ancient lady holding a strange type of rum. Her hair was a white wool held in a red bandana, and her face was a wrinkled red. For some reason, the scarecrow felt confused.

    ¡°...are ya going to ask me something?¡±

    ¡°Not unless you want to be asked ma¡¯am.¡± The lady finished pouring the rum and pushed it to Vega.

    ¡°...it''s not too often that someone doesn¡¯t question-question me.¡± Vega spoke montonely and her eyes eventually went back to the book.

    ¡°When you¡¯ve existed for as long as I¡¯ve had, things don¡¯t surprise you anymore.¡± The lady crossed her arms and continued about her duties. How unphased the lady was by Vega¡¯s existence made her even more at ease. She stared at the cup of rum in front of her and picked it up.

    ¡°...what should I say?¡± Swirling it around in her hand, Vega spoke to the rum.

    ¡°The rum only gives you answers if you drink it.¡± The lady spoke from over her shoulder, now stacking some pots on top of each other.

    If you spot this story on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation.

    ¡°I don¡¯t think-think that¡¯s how it works.¡± Vega started to squint at the lady.

    ¡°It works for most people. Why not you? Have you tried?¡± Waving her hand around, the lady answered sassily.

    Taking a look at the cup and back at the lady, Vega decided to give alcoholism a try.

    Opening her animated mouth, Vega let the rum fall into it. And without missing a beat, the alcohol only soaked into her fabric skin, making it look like she was drooling.

    ¡°Well?¡± The lady went back to Vega, clasping her hands together in waiting. Looking over at her friends, the scarecrow wondered if she should even confide with a stranger. Her eyes lingered on each, with the thought that they were all strangers once, and now they were friends.

    Just because you don¡¯t know the road¡¯s name doesn¡¯t mean it can¡¯t lead you.

    ¡°... mind if I ask-ask you a question?¡± Like a stone in water, Vega bobbed her head back to the lady and spoke in a timid voice.

    ¡°Ask-ask away!¡± Throwing one of hands past Vega¡¯s head, the old lady welcomed her and whatever she had to question. However, her joking voice of her speech impediment made Vega¡¯s eyes droop halfway and a fake smile came on.

    ¡°You¡¯re funny. Anyway, have ya ever¡­ had to say something to a person? And before-fore ya answer, I mean explain yourself to someone? Like, ya haven¡¯t seen each other in a long time and ya really, really want to make them proud?¡± Holding out her left hand as if she were carrying Skaldi and the others, Vega addressed the imagined images who waited for something. Like an audience for a late musical act, wanting to be impressed and get what they waited for.

    ¡°...no¡­ I believe not child.¡± The lady¡¯s cheery attitude disappeared, as she pushed herself up from the bar and looked off into some corner.

    ¡°Darn. I could-could have used a second opinion-¡±

    ¡°I wasn¡¯t finished speaking. You wish to prove yourself to them? That you have changed? That you¡¯re better?¡± Returning with a determined voice, the old lady pointed her hand at Vega¡¯s face, going closer with each beat of her words.

    ¡°...in a way yes.¡± Moving the lady¡¯s hand out of her face, Vega rolled her eyes made a confused frown.

    ¡°Then start!¡± Lifting her hands up, the lady answered like it was so simple.

    ¡°...start where?¡± Vega hunched forward, tapping her fingers into the wooden bar before collapsing her hand into a fist.

    ¡°At the beginning of course! That¡¯s how most stories start. Tell them what has happened. What is new, what is same, what is unchanged!¡± The old lady began to walk around, pointing out various pots and cups, holding out ones that were muted and old and others colorful and new.

    ¡°I-I don¡¯t know¡­¡± Swirling her finger into the bar, Vega started at the circle she was making, all uneven and unsure.

    ¡°You¡¯re right! You don¡¯t know. But that is okay. I have lived here for decades, and do I know what tomorrow holds? No. But I know what I can control. Do you know what you can control?¡± The old lady whispered close, lifting Vega¡¯s head up. With a slight nod, the lady beckoned for Vega¡¯s answer.

    ¡°...yes¡­¡±

    ¡°That take hold and control. Huh, I  sound like a wiseman now. Heh.¡± Instantly turning around, the old lady went back to sorting all the pots and cups. Laughing a little at her demeanor, Vega stared at the lady before back to her friends.

    ¡°Say, maybe we should try wood alcohol. Maybe it might work for¡­¡± As she went over to the bar, the lady noticed that Vega had disappeared. Swiveling her head around, she didn¡¯t even see her shadow leave.

    But there was glint in her eye and she looked down to the light, and saw ten gold coins along with a tuff of hay.

    The team, now waiting by a small dockyard, stared out at the horizon. Tiny waves splashed against the sparkling sand, as the sun slowly set. Tapping her foot into the ground, Vega¡¯s metaphorical heart was in her chest.

    With Sorbet and Florato having erased the foul memory of the drinks that they consumed, the two of them were now chewing on a bunch of tea leaves to clean the awful stench from their mouths. And as for Kaliba, the bird carried a couple of the coins he earned in a little rope.

    ¡°...start from the beginning¡­start from the beginning. Take control of what I can, and accept it.¡±

    ¡°Easy-easy.¡± Kaliba croaked out.

    ¡°Easy-easy for ya. Me? I have no idea what I¡¯m going to say.¡± Vega began to hop up and down, as if she was practicing for a run.

    ¡°What did you say?¡± A still drunk and red faced Sorbet wandered over to Vega¡¯s side.

    ¡°What I¡¯m going to say-say?¡± Vega squinted at her.

    ¡°I didn¡¯t say anything.¡± Sorbet slurred her speech, having to lean on Vega to not fall.

    ¡°Sorbet. Go over there. And keep chewing leaves.¡± Commanding with a quick jab, Krimm told her off. When the ice cream lady walked away, Krimm returned to her important task, of signing all sorts of shit.

    In fact, there was a small crowd around handing her shirts, paddles, and headbands. There were a couple who had her sign her bodies, both to her humor and disgust.

    ¡°I love you Killer!¡± One young fan yelled as soon as Krimm signed her forehead.

    ¡°My names Krimm, but what the fuck ever.¡±