《Every Part of the Gods》


 Prologue - At Lifes Horizon

    The howl of the wind could reach his ears. The scratch of his feet against the wooden planks, together with the heavy steps of the figures clad in bronze armor, resonated through the hallway. He was being carried away, taken to a place of no return.


    Grabbed by the dislocated arms, he contorted, again and again, every time he was pushed forward, to the point that he was already losing sensations in his body. One foot pointed against the floor, the other twisted the other way, his face a combination of purple and red together with his body, and little streams of old and fresh blood flowing like a curtain covering his face. Going out of the hallway into the windy night, he raised his eyes to the moon, the only thing gentle enough with him in his final moments.


    Not before long, a black cloud masked the moon away.


    The wooden planks continued into the darkness, torches lit being the only thing lighting the way, and as they move further into the night, squeaks start echoing in his ears together with the howling wind, dancing around, trying to take his breath away.


    They reach the end of the way. Looking below, his eyes can only see shadows. In front of him, the peak of some mountains can be devised. A thunderbolt illuminates the darkness, only to reveal to him part of his destiny at the bottom of this chasm: The land, painted red, and at the end of the steep slope, a sea of corpses, at the edge of a forest.


    He is swung once, then twice, then thrice, and before long he was flying away. And although his heart felt fear, not once he doubted that this was a fitting end for him, for his crime was too big for most punishments to free him from his guilt, his great shame.


    When he started to fall, in an instant he recalled a memory from a time now long gone. It was when he was six years old and he was sitting on the lap of the woman who would become the pinnacle of womanhood to him in his life. Of fair skin, black long straight hair, eyes like blue sapphires, a slender figure covered in a white dress that emitted its own, soft light, with her long and delicate-looking arms and fingers she just finished tickling him.


    As he was reincorporating, her expression took a more serious look, with her usual smile vanishing behind an unusual sorrowful look. This clutched his heart. Realizing how her expression was affecting him, she changed her expression back to her usual, free-spirited ways, and opening her mouth, the words that came out of it has never left him ever since.


    You have a great destiny, to free all men from the oppression of the Abyss at the center of the world.


    As the child he was back then looked down, he raised his fingers to his mouth in an attempt to perform once more his bad habits, but she catches his fingers before they reach his mouth, cuddling them with her own.


    This habit¡­ told your mother that she should stop, but it seems she didn¡¯t follow through with my words.


    Raising his face, he remembers saying:


    I¡¯m sorry, my Goddess¡­ It is just that¡­ this destiny¡­ seems too much. Isn¡¯t the Abyss, like, really scary and stuff? I¡¯ve heard stories of how terrible the J¡¯avo are, how tough they are, how¡­ terrifying they are¡­ I-I¡­ I apologize for saying this, but¡­ I don¡¯t want this destiny¡­


    The eyes of the boy are flooded with tears as he looks down once more.


    The Goddess once more raises her arms, and with her fingers, she takes away the tears that one by one start falling down the boy¡¯s face. Then, cuddling him against her chest, she says:


    My Prince, all living beings have a destiny, a destiny they can¡¯t escape. It is set in their Soul and in the World from before they are born, and without a question one day their destiny will come for them. No one can control that¡­ But there¡¯s something you can control¡­


    Raising the Prince¡¯s face so his eyes meet hers, she continues to take away the boy¡¯s tears as the boy¡¯s eyes come more attentive, more focused. Smiling, she then says:


    What you can control is who you will be the day destiny is opening the door¡­ So don¡¯t let the fear get the best of you, my Prince, for the greater the destiny of a man is, the more help and assistance he will receive so he may fulfill it¡­


    This narrative has been unlawfully taken from Royal Road. If you see it on Amazon, please report it.Touching the chest of the boy with one finger, right in his heart, she finishes her words:


    And I¡¯ll be with you, right here, always¡­


    On the boy¡¯s face a smile is drawn, once more, but no other word he can utter, as the Goddess suddenly attacks him with another barrage of tickles that sends him into laughter.


    Hitting the steep slope, he can hear how his body cracks under its own weight while he starts rolling into the darkness, losing his sense of orientation completely. Diving right into the sea of corpses, he is cut even more as he ends up at the edge of the forest, but no blood came out of him this time around, even when his right eye is slashed by a femur that still retained a bit of its integrity and protruded out of an old corpse.


    Feeling the cold of the earth, his body twitches involuntarily, but he can¡¯t tell the reason why his senses being completely dulled at this moment. The sense of pain, nowhere to be found, but maybe this was a fitting end for him, for someone who committed such a crime, to die in this shameful display.


    Yes, maybe once he dies, the burden on his shoulders will lighten, maybe the darkness¡¯ lull will return him his peace.


    Thunderbolts echoed in the night, and a slight drizzle started to fall on his face followed soon enough by rain. Captivated by the cloudy night and the arcs the thunder formed in it, he waited for the sweet embrace of death¡­


    -¡±Look at you, traitor¡­¡±- a voice reaches his ears. This voice alone overpowers the sound of rain and the thunders, and it is like it is delivered right into himself.


    -¡±Nothing but a shadow left, uh?¡±- the voice sounds more clear. Raising his sight towards the forest, he catches the glimpse of a faint blue fire, dancing in the dark.


    -¡±Thought it was the end for you? That you could deliver yourself to death and kiss this life goodbye?¡±- The faint blue fire comes closer, and from inside it a hand appears, delicate, slender fingers being embraced by the flames.


    -¡±Death is too good for you, traitor.¡±- The voice says again, as the figure comes completely out of the shadows. Of fair skin, slender figure, long delicate-looking arms, blonde straight hair, and a left eye like a fiery ruby and a right eye like a blue sapphire. Wearing a black patterned kimono with a pink sash to her waist, sandals, and a wide, big umbrella, accompanied by seven blue flames that surround her, at each step she takes the ground lights up in a faint light, then cleans itself up.


    A knot ties itself in his throat. Her sudden appearance steals his attention from everything else, even himself. She is different, yes, he understands that, but she looks so much like her that makes his body tremble as he tries to regain control of his limbs.


    -¡±What? There¡¯s nowhere to run, not anymore, traitor¡­ Nor that you could do it anyway with that body of yours right now, have you realized that your head has done a complete one-eighty?¡±-


    Only his eyebrows reacted at her words.


    -¡±It seems you didn¡¯t realize, but oh well, don¡¯t worry¡­¡±- she says as she crouches with her knees together and reaches for his face with the hand embraced with blue flames -¡±As I take your death away from you, you will realize it soon enough anyway¡­¡±-


    She puts her hand on his face, and at her tact, the flames felt cold, cold like nothing he had experienced before. These chilling flames penetrated inside him, giving back little by little his sense of pain.


    -¡±Heed my words, traitor. I, Goddess Ereshkigal, have taken your death away, but instead of what you may believe or want, I did not come here to punish you... not yet, at least...¡±-


    His heart jumped at her words. Only one word came to his mind.


    Why?¡­ why?


    -¡±Why, you ask? Well, because there¡¯s a chance for you, who walk this life between the worst sinners since the Shattering, to remedy what you have done.¡±-


    Even when the pain started to inundate his body to levels he didn¡¯t experience before, all of his attention focused on these words.


    -¡±Yes, traitor. There¡¯s a possibility to save her, but I want you to do it. You shattered her, you will go and put her back together, that is, if you truly want your death back¡­¡±-

 Chapter 1 - Lone Wolf

    Five years later¡­


    Walking the street between white houses, Fleck hits the asphalt road, letting him know that he is in a middle-class zone. Stopping for a moment, he hits the road with his right feet, then sights.


    Still ways to go, king of Zunko.


    Raising his eyes, he continues walking up the road and gets on the cobblestone street at his right side, blending with the Zunkois walking up and down the street. In his mind, he calls to a voice he is very familiar with.


    -¡±My Lady, have you found the next destination?¡±-


    A feminine voice answers to his call.


    -¡±My, someone is a bit eager right now uh? Wait a moment, reading the ripples in the Ether at this scale isn¡¯t an easy feat.¡±-


    -¡±It can¡¯t be that hard, right?¡±-


    -¡±Well, excuuuse me, mister lone wolf, but if any human could do it then the job wouldn¡¯t have fallen into my hands in the first place.¡±-


    Fleck falls into silence as the voice continues.


    -¡±Now that I think about it, don¡¯t you stand out a bit too much? Nothing can be done with the eye patch on the right eye, your black hair or your white skin, but you could have at least shaved and chosen a get up that blends a bit better with the crowd.¡±-


    Looking around him, Fleck notices how most people wear bright loose clothing of bright colors, especially white, and walk around in sandals. Then, looking at himself, he can see nothing but blacks and browns, tight to his body, boots, cape, a sword strapped to his waist and a cape with a hood.


    -¡±Well, I¡¯m an adventurer¡­¡±- Fleck finally answers.


    -¡±Adventurer my foot.¡±-


    Fleck snorts.


    -¡±Oh, wait, finally, I got a clear reading.¡±-


    -¡±So? Where do I need to go?¡±-


    -¡±Wait, let me see¡­¡±- She says as she gives the results a clear detailed look, and then she says -¡±Oh¡­¡±-


    -¡±Lady Ereshkigal?¡±-


    -¡±Well, well, well, isn¡¯t this ironic¡­ Fleck, I got it. The readings are a bit strange¡­¡±-


    -¡±How so?¡±-


    -¡±It doesn¡¯t matter how, what does matter is that it is within the range of a part of a God. I located where it is from and I think you will be overjoyed to hear this¡­¡±-


    Fleck reaches one of the main roads of this middle-class zone, this road being high enough that allows Fleck to take in the view of a good part of the Kingdom of Zunko. Many houses are piled against each other in clusters that follow an asymmetric arrangement made with the houses, the roads, and the streets, and if you put each cluster together with the next one, you could see how each cluster mirrored the other, revealing a symmetric arrangement on a larger scale. Raising a bit more his eyes, Fleck can see the walls of Zunko, famous because at all hours of the day they always give a pristine ivory look to whoever looks at them. Beyond, he can see the farmlands, and by the horizon, he can see the throat of Arcadia, the lake that is the only route that connects Zunko with the territory of the fallen Kingdom of Arcadia.


    His heart sinks within himself.


    -¡±Where is it?¡±- Fleck asks after taking in the view.


    -¡±The epicenter is located in the island of New Arcadia.¡±- Ereshkigal says, letting a giggle escape -¡±You know what that means¡­¡±-


    -¡±I have to go through the safe line of Arcadia.¡±-


    -¡±With no backup. The situation in Midgarsorm at the north has become troublesome and have sent all available hunters to deal with it.¡±-


    -¡±That¡¯s ok¡­ in the end, I work the best alone.¡±-


    Royal Road is the home of this novel. Visit there to read the original and support the author.After some moments of silence, Ereshkigal replies -¡±Such a boring answer. Even if you worked with a group, as long as you carry such an attitude, it would be no different than working and being alone.¡±-


    -¡±What can I say? I¡¯m a man that finds pleasure in simple things.¡±-


    -¡±Expertly dodge. Your education surely hasn¡¯t left you, mister simpleton¡­ Wait, there¡¯s a strange reading over Arcadia right now¡­¡±-


    Fleck snorts again, still standing beside the main road when Ereshkigal suddenly speaks once more -¡±It surely looks that your journey has become way more¡­ interesting¡­¡±-


    Before Fleck could ask what she was speaking about, the sound of an alarm cuts through the air, a sudden light flashed high in the sky, far away into the territory of Arcadia. As if a thunder where, it catches Fleck''s eyes and of all Zunkois around him who end up transfixed at the sight of the blue, clear sky suddenly turning crimson red, as if someone had poured wine in a glass of water.


    -¡±Ether density has skyrocketed over Arcadia. J¡¯avos surely will go wild and have a feast with this.¡±- Ereshkigal¡¯s voice comes through, taking Fleck out of the fixation he was in.


    Lowering his eyes, Fleck catches how from Zunko¡¯s wall a couple of Aquamarine crystals are brought up. They then suddenly turn red and from then a light comes out, joining with other lights that came out of other crystals and then all around and over Zunko, covering it like some sort of bubble. Within the surface of the force field, movement can be noticed, with the bubble wobbling forward and backward as it receives and deflects all Ether particles that come from Arcadia.


    As Fleck looks around him, he catches a small boy, covered in rags, ginger hair, in the middle of the road just in front of him. This boy, like many Zunkois right now, is still transfixed at the sight of the crimson sky. Some Zunkois that have snapped are also pointing towards the boy standing still and wondering if he will move before an automated cart crushes him. Fleck looks at them, the Zunkois that where speaking notices his eyes, and Fleck flashes a smile, all the while his stomach revolts inside.


    To the sound of the alarm joins the cry of an eagle, strong enough so everyone there can hear them. Looking to the right, Fleck watches how an automated cart is coming their way at high speed, and how the automated carts in the road in front of him are moved to the sides. Seeing how the boy is still transfixed and the Zunkois chatter grows louder, Fleck lunges forward and tackles the boy to the ground, letting the automated cart pass right over them.


    -¡±If you want to die, go do it where I can¡¯t see.¡±- Fleck says as he leaves the boy behind.


    The boy is still surprised for what happened and tries to speak some words, but Fleck raises his hand and says -¡±Save it. Just go back to your home.¡±-


    Leaving the boy behind, Ereshkigal¡¯s voice comes through once more.


    -¡±If you want to die¡­ oh wait, true, you can¡¯t.¡±-


    Fleck can hear some giggles.


    -¡±You surely like that joke.¡±-


    -¡±If you pass as much time as me in hiding you would also start to find entertainment even in the dumbest jokes, but that¡¯s beside the point. You know now what to do, right?¡±-


    -¡±Yeah, I¡¯ll find a way to get to New Arcadia, as soon as possible.¡±-


    After some moments of silence, Fleck can hear Ereshkigal let a heavy sight out -¡±If only we could be sure that it is a part of her¡­¡±-


    Fleck¡¯s heart sinks a little bit more within himself. A sensation that runs through his body stiffens his arms and leaves him mind in a blank.


    If only¡­

 Chapter 2 - Red Cloak and Hood

    Moments before the appearance of the Crimson Sky¡­


    At the edge between a middle-class zone and a lower class zone, in a building of six floors high, a woman in a large, red cloak and hood takes a look out the window. She catches once more the throat of Arcadia, visible from where she is right now. This window is the only light source of the otherwise dark room, a somewhat rare instance where in a middle-class zone a room lacks a light source of some sort.


    On the other side of the table, there are three men, one sitting, and the other two standing each beside him. The ones standing wear dulled colors, tight clothing, and eyes are covered with a black cloth. The one sitting wears a royal blue tunic with a collar and some medals, also tight but not like the ones beside him.


    -¡±Hey, are you hearing me?¡±- The man sitting speaks.


    -¡±I apologize, my lord. My mind sometimes just wanders off¡­¡±- The woman in the large red cloak and hood speaks, as she turns to him and rests her left arm on the table, revealing a woman of pale skin and delicate arms and hands.


    -¡±Never mind that. I have the information you where asking for.¡±-


    -¡±Is that so?¡±- She says as she raises her head a little. The dark hides the sly smile that otherwise would betray her act.


    -¡±Indeed, but I have to wonder, why did you went to such¡­ extremes¡­ to get this info?¡±-


    The left-arm jolts a little bit before this question -¡±Didn¡¯t know that I needed to explain my reasons to my lord as to why I¡¯m searching for this man.¡±-


    -¡±Please, humor me, Hashi.¡±- Says the man, doing circles with his hands.


    After a moment of silence -¡±This man I want¡­ let¡¯s say that he has a debt with me. A debt too large¡­¡±- Hashi says as she tries to control the movement of her left arm. As she quiets it down, her right leg starts moving up and down, giving a slight hit to the wooden table with her knee -¡±And let¡¯s leave it like that. I hope that suffices to my lord.¡±-


    Rubbing his chin with his right hand, the man assents a couple of times. One of the man¡¯s bodyguards, the one to his left, raises his right arm a coughs twice.


    The man sitting opens his eyes slightly, and at this, Hashi retires her left arm into her cloak.


    Then, the man in front of her starts saying -¡±Very well then, the man in question goes by the name of Lee Sparrow. Leader of a bunch of pirates¡­¡±-


    At this, Hashi¡¯s heart jolts and all of her attention focuses on his words.


    The man continues -¡±Right now he runs his operations in the seas around the island of New Arcadia. He was more active a couple of years ago, but from time to time there have been reports of ships being assaulted by this bunch and all of their shipment being stolen.¡±-


    Hashi leans forward in her chair, assenting at each word spoken by the man as a burning sensation starts taking over her body, losing her sense of space again, letting the memory, the wound of old days bleed into the present. At that moment she feels once more the heat, she sees the flames, she sees the floor covered in blood, she hears the laughter of a large group and the screams of families being torn apart¡­ including her own, and she then sees a large shadow standing in front of her, hands big enough that they could wrap around her tender head and squash it in an instant.


    Hashi was showing her teeth. Even if the hood saved her from what otherwise would betray her act, the words of her former educator echoed in her head:


    -¡±Always behave like a lady, even if it is all an act. We will not get what we want from our clients otherwise.¡±-


    This book was originally published on Royal Road. Check it out there for the real experience.What I want¡­


    The sound of snapping fingers took her out of her daydream. Raising her eyes, she sees the man with one arm up in the air.


    -¡±My apologies, and thank you, my lord.¡±-


    Taking out a pipe, the man chants a small spell:


    Even in the coldest snowstorm


    I¡¯ll not freeze as long


    As I have it.


    Fuego.


    Rainbow colored sparks surrounded the pipe, and from it a small trail of smoke came out, raising in the air.


    -¡±What is it?¡±- Hashi asks.


    -¡±What?¡±-


    -¡±The ¡°it¡± in the part of your chant, my lord, what is it?¡±- Hashi says, making emphasis on ¡°it¡±.


    -¡±Aaah, well¡­¡±- The man replies, as he lowers the pipe and lets out circles of smoke with his mouth. Then, a smile that goes from ear to ear covers his face as he says -¡±Money.¡±-


    At this very moment, the wooden door behind the man opens up and two men and a woman enter the room, dressed in a similar fashion to the man¡¯s bodyguards.


    -¡±You¡­ Hashi,¡±- the man starts saying -¡±You see, for some reason, the Zunkois Prince wants you, so badly¡±- his eyes go down her body, that even the cloak can¡¯t hide completely, then up again and stop at her right arm -¡±even with the little accident you went through¡­¡±-


    Eagle sounds rip through the air. Looking outside, Hashi can see automated carts surrounding the building, floating with multiple law enforcement officers setting up barricades, as well as many more entering the building, all of them in their anti-terrorist gear, plate armor and crimson mithril threaded robes.


    -¡±My lord¡­¡±- Hashi says as she slowly stands up.


    -¡±Don¡¯t try anything funny, Hashi.¡±- says the man as he also slowly stands up, then he says -¡±Start the chants, now!¡±-


    As the bodyguards start chanting, Hashi lets a chuckle escape.


    -¡±My lord, are all politicians like you just as greedy?¡±- Hashi asks.


    The man doesn¡¯t answer, instead bringing up crimson mithril shackles instead.


    Hashi then takes off her hood with her left hand, revealing a woman of fine features, small mouth, high cheekbones, pale skin, wavy brown hair. At her appearance, the chant of a couple of the bodyguards suddenly got slower, with one stopping completely.


    -¡±Wha-what are you doing?! Resume at once!¡±- the man yells at the bodyguards.


    -¡±My, my, my, what a slow man you are, my lord,¡±- Hashi says, accompanied by a sly smile and a giggle -¡±don¡¯t you know that bold, fast men usually get the girl? And on top of that, you bring basically anti J¡¯avo equipment just to get a little frail girl like me to come with you. How do you think it makes me feel? My lord surely is pretty rude.¡±-


    -¡±Shut up. No matter what you say, there¡¯s nothing you can do now.¡±- The man says as rainbow sparks start appearing around Hashi and the law enforcement enter to the room.


    A smug smile suddenly is drawn on Hashi¡¯s face -¡±My lord, regarding effective use of chants, this won¡¯t do¡­¡±- she says as she raises her left arm and touches with her fingers some of the sparks floating in the air, letting escape a little moan with each spark touched, then adding -¡±You should do it like this:¡±-


    Meteoro.


    With her single chant word, suddenly the room filled with rainbow sparks, from top to bottom, and in an instant an explosion blew up the entirety of the room. From the smoke that raised into the air, a red blur could be seen coming out of the smoke and gliding towards the lower class zone.


    At this moment, a small flash could be seen beyond the throat of Arcadia, and as Hashi landed on the street, the crimson sky appearing, activating the wall of Zunko¡¯s defenses.

 Chapter 3 - The Boy

    At the adventurer¡¯s guild counter, accompanied by the high pitched sound of multiple eagles, a young woman behind it doesn¡¯t know exactly how to react. An arm between her breasts, the other arm stiff touching the counter, her body trembles at the sight of the man before him, looking like a shadow and with a fierce look in his eyes.


    Fleck, perplexed as well by this reaction, raises his arm and tries to speak to calm down the woman, but before he can mutter any words, the woman¡¯s shoulders jump really high and they stay there, stiff as a rock.


    -¡±Told you that doing the fierce routine all the time would get you only trouble in the long run¡­¡±- Ereshkigal¡¯s voice resounded in Fleck¡¯s head.


    Fleck was about to reply but decided to not do so, instead of asking -¡±Wha-what should I do? Can¡¯t take me out of Zunko yourself?¡±-


    -¡±No can do. Going out would open me to be traced by anyone interested in shattering me.¡±- Then adding in a mocking tone -¡±I know you can do something about it, you learned from the best didn¡¯t you?¡±-


    Fleck closed his eye and let a huge sight escape.


    What was it again?¡­ it¡¯s been so long¡­ I think it went something like this¡­


    Opening his left eye once more, Fleck drew a smile on his face while maintaining eye contact with the woman behind the counter. The woman reacted right away with her eyebrows jumping at the change of impression Fleck was giving moments before, and her shoulders lowered a little bit.


    -¡±First day?¡±- Fleck asks.


    -¡±U-uh?¡±-


    -¡±Is this your first day doing this work?¡±-


    -¡±How did you know?¡±-


    -¡±Well, you don¡¯t behave like the usual woman posted at these counters.¡±- extending his left arm, he touches the hand of the woman that was still on the counter without breaking eye contact -¡±I¡¯m Fleck.¡±-


    The woman¡¯s shoulder lowered even more, letting loose of her arms -¡±I¡¯m¡­ Britanny¡­¡±-


    Fleck raises his right hand to his chin and looks to the side -¡±It must be frightening, isn¡¯t it? Being here for your first day and then an Ether Storm comes out of nowhere. Dealing with all the canceled quest requests and the angry insensitive mobs, not to mention that many of these surely look scary.¡±-


    Fleck then meets Britanny¡¯s eyes once more, only to find her furiously asserting multiple times with her eyes flooded in tears.


    -¡±Yes, yes! You got it right, mister Fleck!¡±- Britanny¡¯s speaks, raising her voice in the process -¡±These barbarians! Don¡¯t they know that I¡¯m new here? Cut me some slack will ya¡¯?!¡±- she says as she raises her arms and then slams then on the counter.


    -¡±You¡¯re totally right, Britanny¡±- Fleck says as he assents multiple times while keeping the smile on his face.


    At the realization of her outburst, Britanny¡¯s ivory face gets a tinge of noticeable red that made a nice combination with her ginger hair. Lowering her face a little bit, she then raises her eyes, puts a hand slightly to the right of her mouth and then says -¡±Sorry for calling you a barbarian, mister Fleck.¡±-


    -¡±Don¡¯t sweat the small stuff, Britanny¡±- says Fleck as he waves his right hand between them -¡±I know this eye patch of mine can make me a bit hard to deal with.¡±-


    -¡±No, but-¡±- Starts saying Britanny but Fleck cuts her by raising his right hand.


    -¡±Thanks, but I¡¯m here for something Britanny, and I hope you could help me?¡±-


    -¡±Ah? Oh, sure, please tell me how could I help you?¡±-


    -¡±I need to get out of Zunko, right now. Can you help me?¡±-


    -¡±Eeeeh?¡±- Britanny exclaims as she raises once more her hands in the air, and then she grabs a huge book that is to the side and starts passing page after page. After a couple of pages, she stops and says with a tinge of sadness in her voice -¡±I¡¯m sorry I can¡¯t help you, mister Fleck. We are now in lockdown until the Ether Storm passes, and all requests that involve going out have been canceled.¡±-


    Ensure your favorite authors get the support they deserve. Read this novel on Royal Road.Feeling like he just took a punch to the gut, Fleck loses the approachable expression he just had moments before.


    -¡±I see¡­ thank you, Britanny.¡±- He says as he starts going away.


    Putting both hands on the counter, Britanny leans over to catch Fleck¡¯s arm and say -¡±Ask between the adventurers here, maybe one of them knows off a way to go out?¡±-


    Being startled by her unexpected action, Fleck lets a chuckle escape before saying -¡±I¡¯ll try. Thanks Britanny. See you around.¡±- Before leaving the counter guild behind.


    -¡±Wow, look at you lady killer.¡±- Ereshkigal¡¯s voice resounds once more in Fleck¡¯s head, carrying the mocking tone still.


    -¡±Its been so long¡­ What an embarrassment, I was so stiff.¡±-


    -¡±it doesn''t matter, go around and ask if one of these barbarians know anything.¡±-


    -¡±Sure, sure.¡±-


    Half an hour later after going through the entire mess hall of the guild¡¯s building, full to the brim with adventurers, Fleck sits on the first steps of the stairs that go to the second floor.


    No results¡­ so, think, what can I do now?


    As he was thinking, a voice reached him, calling for him. Raising his eyes, he sees a little boy dressed in rags and with ginger hair. The face of the boy was dirty, and the smile that he was flashing was big, enough to show his yellow teeth.


    -¡±Wait¡­ aren¡¯t you¡­?¡±- Fleck says while pointing towards him with his right hand.


    -¡±Yep! You saved me a lil¡¯ early on, mister Fleck!¡±-


    -¡±How do you know my name?¡±-


    -¡±The nice l¡¯dy behind the counter tol¡¯ me! Gotta tell ya¡¯, dunno what you did but you hav¡¯ her on the palm of your hand!¡±- he says as he covers one side of his mouth and wink with left eye, as if he were sharing a secret.


    -¡±Never mind that, what are you doing here? I told you to scram and go home already.¡±-


    -¡±No can do!¡±- he says as he jumps forward, getting closer to Fleck -¡±My grandma¡¯ always tol¡¯ me that I should pay back the favors I own, and since you save¡¯ lil'' me, I¡¯m here to try and help!¡±-


    Fleck sights greatly and then stands up -¡±Whatever kid, go away.¡±- he says as he passes by him.


    -¡±I know of a way to get out of Zunko, right now.¡±-


    Fleck stops and then turns. The boy is there, showing off his smile with his yellow teeth.


    -¡±Is that so? Then lead the way, boy.¡±- Fleck says.


    At these words, the boy jumps in place once, then grabs Fleck by the hand and says -¡±Follow me!¡±-


    Going between multiple adventurers of varying sizes and colors, Fleck and the boy are about to get to the exit when they see a couple of law enforcement officials enter the building.


    The boy suddenly hides behind Fleck.


    -¡±What''s the matter, boy?¡±-


    -¡±Don¡¯¡­ Don¡¯t le¡¯ them take me¡­¡±- the boy says as he tucks on Fleck pants and shivers, with his voice breaking multiple times.


    -¡±Hey, you!¡±- One of the law enforcement officials point towards the boy, which is totally visible behind Fleck¡¯s legs -¡±Rats like you are forbidden to enter the capital of the kingdom!¡±-


    As the official comes closer, Fleck asks the boy -¡±Are you going to be taken away?¡±-


    The boy only looks up and assents, saying -¡±Not only that¡­¡±-


    -¡±Don¡¯t need to hear more¡±- Fleck says as he puts a hand in front of him, making the boy stop talking.


    Then, looking to both sides, seeing that all adventurers have moved into the building and that it was only him with the boy, he opens his mouth at the same time that the official starts reaching for the boy.


    Moments later, all the law enforcement officials went flying out of the entrance and the windows, and Fleck and the boy make a run for it out of the building towards the slums.

 Chapter 4 - The Chasm

    A constant sound envelops her from all directions. Steps, a multitude of them, run up and down hitting the wood planks and stairs that are part of the slums, high in the ridge.


    Cuddling the shadows, from the window to her right she can see a multitude of law enforcement officers checking everywhere for her. Wielding spears, carrying crimson mithril chains, to some of them have joined anti-J¡¯avo corps in the search, wearing heavy armor that gleams with a cold light.


    How¡­ How dare they¡­?


    Hashi can¡¯t help but feel insulted and sulk a little while in the darkness.


    Looking to her left, the room she is in is illuminated by the red light that the barrier irradiates, with the constant flashes of light of the Ether particles hitting it that come from the Ether storm at the distance. Further, there is another room, this one has a warm yellow light that bleeds into the room where she is, one of the rare cases where someone in the slums has a functioning light system in their house.


    She thinks back to the man that was standing there moments before together with his son. He was very cooperative and accepted hiding her once Hashi presented a huge bag with thousands of golden Zen. Ever since, a couple of law enforcement officials have entered the house to scour it, but as long as no one in the house mentioned a thing about her presence, the cloak and hood she has will do its trick and keep her in hiding.


    Truly, such an useful object¡­ even in this dump, it manages to keep itself clean¡­


    As she rises her eyes to her left, she sees the son of the man by her side. Startled a little bit by this, she recoils before giving a good look at what was happening.


    The boy was standing there, in silence, looking down on her with both arms and hands extended. As Hashi meets the boy¡¯s eyes, he opens and closes his hands.


    -¡±What a sneaky little boy you are¡­ what is it that you want? I already gave more than enough to your father¡­¡±-


    The boy doesn¡¯t utter a word, instead, he just shakes his head and then points towards himself.


    -¡±What¡­ You want me to give you money? Sorry, but that isn¡¯t how this works. Now, scram, go back to your father and don¡¯t be a greedy kid.¡±- Hashi says as she waves her hand towards him.


    Frowning and pouting, the boy turns around and leaves the room.


    Looking once again over the window, Hashi notices how the area has been emptied by the law enforcement officials, leaving only just a couple of them to mount guard in place, probably just in case she happens to be around the zone and managed to stay hidden for that long¡­ which is exactly what she did.


    Dropping her gaze even more, her eyes reach the bottom of the chasm that is to the side of this house. She can see houses all the way to the bottom and multiple streets that go up and down in a chaotic fashion.


    TkClearly this place was built without any sort of planning.


    As she was appreciating the scenery, strong sounds reached her ears coming from below. From one end of the chasm to her left, Hashi catches a boy and a man running along the dirt road, and behind them multiple law enforcement officers throwing spells, chants, arrows and shackles. Just when one of the restraining spells was about to reach the man, a light blue light deflected it to the side, catching Hashi¡¯s attention as the spell restrained other officer who tried to take down the man from a position further down the road that the man and boy surely would go through.


    Stolen from its rightful place, this narrative is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.Then, she sees how the boy tells something to the man as he points further down the road, and the man answers back. At this, the spoke just a couple of words and small rainbow sparks appeared on the ground behind the man, all the way to the officers and slugging them down. Seeing this, two anti-J¡¯avo officers jumped into the fray, running right over the muddled ground and picking up the chase, cleaning with each step the ground from the spell that the man threw before.


    Turning to her right, Hashi is taken by surprise as she now doesn¡¯t manage to catch where the boy went. It is only the man there, standing against the officers. As they reach his position and one of them thrust his spear towards him, Hashi observes how out of nowhere a sudden pressure in the air stops both officers in their tracks. They struggle, trying to reach the man as little glints of crimson start to surround them and are being pushed back, but to no avail, both of them end up being thrown off back, high into the sky, as a sound that rips the air reach Hashi¡¯s ears and a cloud of dust and dirt rises into the air.


    How¡­ in the world¡­ did he¡­


    Hashi¡¯s mouth stood open for some seconds, and while she was dumbfounded she managed to catch the man entering to a house of multiple floors to one side of the chasm, and closing the door behind. Some rainbow sparks then appear around the door, but nothing visible happens.


    Then, a strong voice reaches Hashi from behind. Turning, she catches three officers standing right in the next room, one of them looking straight at her in the eyes, and besides them, the son of the man pointing towards her, still frowning and sticking his tongue out. It is then when she realizes that she was standing and leaning over the window.


    This brat!¡­


    -¡±Stop right there!¡±- says the officers as they make a run towards her.


    Instinctively jumping out of the window, Hashi says -¡±Sorry, men that are pushy are no good!¡±- while her cloak envelops her and she glides towards the ground, at the bottom of the chasm, right in front of the house in which the man previously entered. As she incorporates herself, she leaves the hood on while enveloping her hand with the cloak and reaching to open the door. At the touch of the cloak, some rainbow sparks go off but nothing happens.


    -¡±Good.¡±- Hashi mutters as she opens the door, only to reveal a passage that goes deep into the chasm. Somehow they have managed to dig up an entire passage into one of the walls of the chasm, with proper lighting that barely reach the high roof this passage has.


    -¡±Stop right there!¡±- Hashi hears from her left. Turning slightly, she manages to see that the cloud of dust has managed to settle and the officers down in the chasm have seen her, including the two anti-J¡¯avo ones. Biting her lower lip and thinking back to the man and the suspicious nature of this passage, Hashi enters the house, making a run for it.

 Chapter 5 - Underground

    A tall guy dressed in rags opens the wooden door in front of him, letting Fleck and the boy enter into the hideout. As they both enter, Fleck turns back once more, seeing the long passage they just have went through, still impressed to see how such thing can exist within the capital of Zunko, the seat of power for the entire kingdom.


    After the door is closed, Fleck turns once more to see a huge room, clearly excavated, with pillars made of wood up against the walls and a second-floor made entirely of good, with stairs connecting them. There are a couple of light sources that faintly light up the place.


    He thinks back to the words Ereshkigal told him before.


    -¡±Other things demand my attention, I¡¯ll leave you to your devices. Even so, keep searching for the fastest way to get out of there¡­ after all, she is waiting¡­¡±-


    Even if it isn¡¯t her¡­ She would be always waiting¡­


    Feeling a tug in his wrist, the boy keeps pushing Fleck.


    -¡±Com¡¯ on sire! We nee¡¯ to go to the secon¡¯ floor!¡±-


    Looking around, the room is full of people of dubious appearance, something that the lighting accentuates since it isn¡¯t strong and thus casts a lot of shadows over them.


    -¡±Alright, lead the way then.¡±-


    Walking towards the stairs, Fleck and the boy encounter two women guarding it. One of them, with a spear in hand, steps forward and raises her hand, stopping their momentum.


    -¡±Selvin, where have you been?¡±- the woman, clad in dark robes and her head enveloped in a dark cloth, speaks.


    -¡±Sis, le¡¯ me through, I nee¡¯ to see the boss!¡±-


    The woman raises her gaze in order to give Fleck another look and then says -¡±As long as your new¡­ friend¡­ stays here.¡±-


    -¡±No can do Sis! You see, thi¡¯ man save¡¯ ma¡¯ life! And didn¡¯t ask for anything in return!¡±-


    -¡±He saved your life?! What happened?! Are you ok?!¡±- says the woman as she drops the spear on to the ground and grabs Selvin by the shoulders.


    -¡±I ma fine! That doesn¡¯t ma¡¯er right now Sis. Remember what granny alwy¡¯s told us?¡±-


    -¡±We must always pay our debts. Yes, I remember.¡±- Says the woman as she relaxes her body, still biting her lower lips -¡±Still, are you sure you¡¯re ok?¡±-


    -¡±Yeah, I ma fine! Anyway Sis, please let me through.¡±-


    After some moment of thought, she incorporates herself and says -¡±Very well¡±- then, looking at Fleck, she adds -¡±You there, the one with the butt face, you can pass, but behave lest you want me to behead you.¡±- she accompanies these words with a motion of her right thumb moving from left to right in front of her throat.


    Fleck snorts -¡±It wouldn¡¯t be the first time that I lose my head because of a woman¡±- and then, raising his right arm as she passes by, he adds -¡±Your spear, you dropped it.¡±-


    The woman is startled by this mistake. Quickly she grabs the spear as she makes signs to her partner at the stairs to let them through.


    -¡±Mister Fleck, that wa¡¯ awesome!¡±- the boy says as they start going up.


    -¡±What are you talking about?¡±-


    -¡±Sis can be quite scary! You mus¡¯ be wha¡¯ they call a lady killer!¡±-


    Fleck feels his guts tightening -¡±You¡­ you aren¡¯t the first one that tells me so. Even so, I don¡¯t do anything special.¡±-


    -¡±Woah, it is something that comes to you naturally?¡±-


    Before Fleck could answer, a voice reaches them from the side -¡±Selvin, why don¡¯t you hurry up and include me in your conversation?¡±-


    If you come across this story on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen from Royal Road. Please report it.-¡±Woah, boss! I¡¯ll go right away!¡±- Selvin says as he reaches the second floor, tugging Fleck along. Going through another door, they come face to face with a man on a sofa surrounded by a couple of people in various types of armor, from leather to steel. Behind the man there¡¯s a large scroll up against the wall depicting a J¡¯avo¡¯s mouth open as if anyone who extended their arm could get it chopped off.


    From the corner of Fleck¡¯s eyes, he sees the door from where he moments ago entered this place close again, and a strange person with a huge cloak and hood standing between the people in the floor below.


    Why is it¡­ Does no one seem to notice?


    Another tug and Fleck comes back to the conversation with Selvin saying -¡±I¡¯m sure this man will be able to protect you all the way to New Arcadia, boss!¡±-


    -¡±Well, he certainly looks able to do the job¡±- says the man as he leans forward and rubs his chin, showing off the multiple rings he is wearing that gleam with the room¡¯s light. Fleck couldn¡¯t prevent associating the man with a pig, seeing how unnaturally round his body is.


    -¡±I need to go to New Arcadia, now. If you are going there, I can offer my services not only to fight and win against bandits but also against J¡¯avos.¡±-


    The man¡¯s eyes open, his eyebrows jump, Selvin stays mute for a couple of moments and the room erupts in murmurs and snorts.


    Then, coming back to himself, Selvin says in excitement as he turns to the man in front of him -¡±It is true boss! I saw it with my own eyes. Mister Fleck was able to chant something strong enough to push back two anti-J¡¯avo officers! He sent them flying through the air!¡±- he adds movements with his arms and hands to reenact the scene.


    -¡±Is that so?¡±- says the man, rubbing his chin as he lets some chuckles escape, while Fleck can do nothing but put a smug smile, knowing the deal was done.


    A sudden strong noise reaches everyone in the room. Turning, Fleck sees how the door has been just blasted away, leaving burns behind. On the floor, the guard that opened the door for them lays down, a huge black area covering his chest.


    As the smell of charred flesh reaches Fleck¡¯s nose, the guards manage to yell -¡±We have been discovered! Run!¡±-


    -¡±Alright lads, time to roll out!¡±- says the boss as he moves faster than expected, reaching the scroll behind him and moving it all in order to reveal a secret passage -¡±Anyone who doesn¡¯t want to experience fifty years of Zunkois hospitality, come with me!¡±-


    While the boss enters the passage, surprising Fleck as he didn¡¯t think he would fit in, he notices that the strange figure wearing a large cloak and hood is nowhere to be seen.


    What was that¡­


    Turning back to Selvin, he grabs him by the arm and takes him along.


    Selvin struggles -¡±Wait, mister Fleck! Wait, my sister!¡±-


    Fleck was about to stop when a large group of law enforcement officers started pouring in, at which he just jumped straight up into the passage, pushing out of the way to the lower floors two men that were trying to get through. Fleck took Selvin with him as his screams echoed within the secret passage¡­ and all inside himself.

 Chapter 6 - Large Shadow

    The echoes of people yelling and screaming fade into the distance while the sounds of multiple steps accompany Fleck as he moves through the old ruins of a city underground. Humid air that feels heavy in his skin, thick with each breath, his feet constantly splashes the little puddles that the constant falling of droplets have made on the ground.


    -¡±We can¡¯t go back now¡±- Fleck can hear the boss say -¡±so we will just have to move out with what we have.¡±-


    -¡±What is this place?¡±- He hears one of the men beside the boss ask.


    -¡±Seems that we have a foreigner with us!¡±- the boss says as he lets a burst of roaring laughter escape -¡±Sorry, sorry, my bad, it is just that escape from the Zunkoi¡¯s dogs was a bit thrilling for my age¡­¡±- he says while resting both hands on his knees, catching a breath, then finally answering the question -¡±This, my friend in money, are the ruins of the old city of Zunko. This is how it was before a bunch of hypocrites revolted against the Gods.¡±-


    The man was about to speak once more, but Fleck speaks first -¡±If we dawdle here anymore, those dogs will find us. They know how to move through these ruins well enough.¡±-


    -¡±Good point!¡±- says the man pointing towards Fleck with his ringed hand -¡±So lets cut the chat and keep moving!¡­ but before that, are you truly going to carry him with you all the way?¡±- the boss adds, pointing his finger downward to Selvin. Fleck has been carrying him under his arm the whole time, and he had gone silent for a while now.


    -¡±He will not be a hindrance¡±- Fleck assures.


    -¡±This isn¡¯t the time to play house¡­¡±- One of the mercenaries comes forward, a white, lean man wearing black and purple leather armor with dreadlocks.


    Fleck frowns, putting his free right hand on his sword¡¯s handle, at which faint blue light starts little by little to pour out.


    -¡±If you don¡¯t want this place to be your grave, I suggest you keep to your issues¡±- Fleck remarked.


    The mercenary reacted with putting both of his hands on his twin swords at his hips, but before he unsheathed them, a strong sound passed right above the entire group, startling them all.


    -¡±I don¡¯t know what was that about, but if we stay here any longer we will all be captured¡±- Fleck remarks.


    -¡±He is right, so instead of killing each other at least withhold your death until we are out there and the J¡¯avos appear! I pay you to be at least dinner for them! Let''s move out!¡±- the boss exclaims as he makes a motion with his hand and starts moving.


    The mercenary with dreadlocks gets back to the group, and then Fleck joins them, still in the rearguard.


    -¡±Boss¡±- another mercenary speaks -¡±if they know well the ruins and know how to move through them, why haven¡¯t we been caught by now?¡±-


    -¡±My friend in money, there are two things important in this life: Money and connections! If you have money and the right connections to where push that money, anything is possible!¡±-


    -¡±In other words, you bought us time¡±- another mercenary says.


    -¡±Well, if we were to be found then yes, that was the arrangement, which is the case.¡±-


    -¡±What a flimsy policy¡±- Fleck says.


    This story originates from Royal Road. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there.-¡±Better than no policy at all!¡±- the boss says, throwing both arms in the air.


    -¡±It is just a waste of your money¡±- Fleck replies -¡±After all, those people¡¯s greed¡­¡±- Fleck makes silence for a moment to let the echoes of multiple heavy steps, armor and orders reach them -¡±¡­ they can¡¯t be satiated.¡±-


    After a moment of silence, the boss only yells -¡±Follow me!¡±-


    As he moves to the front of the group, he chants an incantation that Fleck can¡¯t make out, and suddenly he starts moving at incredible speeds.


    Struggling to keep pace, they move through many environments in a small amount of time. A courtyard, stairs going down, some hanging gardens that still resisted the pass of time, many streets at which out of nowhere law enforcement officers pop out of the buildings at the sides and attack the large group, capturing many of them.


    Jumping into a ridge that led into a chasm, they fall into an abandoned garden with many upward stalagmites stabbed a couple of mercenaries. Falling badly since he was carrying Selvin with himself, one of these stalagmites cut Fleck¡¯s leg by the side, but that didn¡¯t stop him from standing right away and move as fast he could without dropping the boy right there.


    Getting to a large circular area full of water, feet deep, at the center of it lied a large automated cart a couple of horses length and wide, floating gently. The large shipment was covered by a dark cloth so it wasn¡¯t visible from the outside.


    Jumping to the front, the boss yells -¡±to the back, hurry!¡±-


    The large group concentrates on the back as they start boarding the cart with Fleck still behind them. Another sudden sound, with the feeling of the air being slightly pushing against his face, and Fleck catches how some sort of large reddish shadow lands over the cart. Lowering his eyes, he sees how the mercenary with dreadlocks from before raises a magical weapon, smug smile in the face, and pronouncing a single word, the weapon fires a single restraining spell against Fleck. Unsheathing slightly his own sword, the faint blue light this time around catches the spell, firing it back against the same mercenary, which drops into the floor being turned like a log, arms and legs together, tight, being unable to move.


    Getting to the cart, Fleck raises his eyes to see again the large shadow, but it was nowhere to be found.


    As he throws Selvin inside, the cart starts to move. Grabbing to the back of the cart, he looks back at the mercenary, uttering a single word to him -¡°Moron.¡±-


    Fleck gets on the cart as it starts speeding forward, being moved side to side by the multiple spells that hit it from the side, lighting up the crimson mithril threads that this dark cloth had incorporated within. Leaving the cave and ruins behind, they get out of Zunko riding over one of the old Aqueducts that are still left standing.


    Turning back, the boss yells -¡±Hold on tight to something!¡±-


    Fleck instinctively grabs the shipment that is in front of him, covered by another dark cloth, as he mutters -¡±What could he m-¡±-


    Unable to end his sentence, Fleck learns what the boss was speaking about: The Aqueduct ended in a sudden waterfall, one from where all of them just jumped from.

 Chapter 7 - Encounter

    Floating at the edge of the lake, the Automated Cart is still in one piece, swinging lightly from left to right with the winds that come from the Ether storm beyond the throat of Arcadia. The surface of the lake makes little waves, at which crests light up, signaling that many ether particles have end up falling into the water.


    Carrying the last body of one of the mercenaries, Fleck puts it beside the other ones that died with that fall. Two ended up falling outside of the cart and died when they hit the waters, three inside because they had their weapons out and ended up being stabbed by them, one, the last one Fleck just put down¡­


    -¡±With that expression¡­ maybe a heart attack?¡±- He wondered in silence for a bit.


    The boss¡¯ voice breaks that silence as it reaches him -¡±if you finished there hop on already! We have a long road ahead and the J¡¯avos will surely come for that bait.¡±-


    -¡±Barks a couple of orders and then disappears for half an hour, seriously¡­ well, at least the boy is ok¡±- Fleck mutters as he enters the cart and sits, then he looks around to see who else is left. The automated cart was large, once again, larger than many of what he has seen Zunkois civilians use for everyday use. It could compare to the automated carts that companies use to transport grain, sugar canes, fish from the Sea at the north, or any other product that Zunko produces. Still, the fact that this automated cart survived such fall puts it way on top of those that he has seen before.


    While the automated cart started moving, it had aligned looking straight forward to the Ether storm, which crimson light invaded the cart. Fleck counts ten figures, the ones at the front darkened by the light.


    I don¡¯t know if this cart can make it to New Arcadia with only ten mercenaries¡­ also¡­ something is off.


    Then, turning once more to right in front of him, he reaches for the cloth covering the shipment and removes it, confirming what he saw for brief moments during the fall: multiple people in cages, chained by the throat and feet at the same time, some of them with animal features like bunny ears, small horns, a tail, etc.


    Slaves¡­


    Fleck could only let a long sight escape. Meeting the eyes with one of the slaves in front of him, a woman of light brown skin, with bunny features and white hair, Fleck¡¯s eyebrows jump seeing how, unlike the others, she still had a fierce look in her eyes, even if it was mixed with sadness, her eyes glazed with tears that she was holding back.


    Covering back the shipment, Fleck incorporates himself up as he turns once again to the front of the cart, and how there was cages and cages lined up and covered by this dark cloth all the way up to there.


    Never thought that I would see¡­ them¡­ here¡­ though it makes sense, after all, Arcadia fell...


    Then, a figure that Fleck recognizes as being Selvin stands up from the floor. He was at the front beside the entrance to the conductor''s side of the cart, where the boss was sitting while driving, to the right of that entrance, the same side Fleck is. As the cart takes a curve, the light of the Ether storm stops pouring by into the cart, the winds instead hitting the cart by the side and lighting up the crimson mithril threads, which gives a soft red ambient light in the inside of the cart.


    As he sees Selvin get up, he sees how his shoulders go up, his hands cover his mouth, and then he lets escape a yell -¡±Sis!¡±- as he runs to the left side of the cart. Following him, Fleck''s guts tighten as he sees how, from under a cloth that was covering what he assumed where anything from tents to weapons, Selvin¡¯s sister appears under as if she where asleep and suddenly woke up in the morning.


    But fast enough, something else took Fleck¡¯s attention entirely: A person with a large red cloak and hood was sitting beside them. Remembering her from two hours ago back at the boss¡¯ hideout, Fleck stands up, sword at the hilt of his blade, and with large steps, he puts himself in front of this figure.


    -¡±You¡¯re an eyesore¡±- Fleck says, looking directly at this person. Selvin¡¯s sister reacts by grabbing Selvin and going to the other side of the cart.


    Fleck catches the mouth of this person opening, then flashing a wry smile.


    -¡±You¡­ you can see me?¡±- this person speaks, revealing with her voice to be a woman.


    -¡±You stand out like a sore thumb.¡±-


    The woman stays silent. Fleck sees how her mouth opens and closes, but no sound comes out, letting him know that she doesn¡¯t know how to react.


    Support the creativity of authors by visiting Royal Road for this novel and more.-¡±I don¡¯t remember you being part of the group that the boss got for this mission.¡±- Fleck says as he grips the handle of his sheathed sword at his waist.


    The woman giggles, taking her left hand in front of her mouth -¡±Is it wise to stand so close to a person you don¡¯t know?¡±-


    -¡±Drop that hand and answer, who are you?¡±-


    -¡±Ugh, pushy men are the worst¡±- the woman says.


    Fleck puts on a smug smile as he replies back, getting in position to draw his sword -¡±I will push this sword down your throat if you don¡¯t answer.¡±-


    The woman opens her mouth, but instead of what Fleck expected, another thing altogether came out:


    Cadenas.


    A great number of rainbow sparks appeared in an instant all around Fleck. The crimson mithril threads lighted up, irradiating strong red light inside the cart, enough to eat itself the sunlight reaching them irradiated by the evening sun.


    Drawing off his sword, faint blue light answered to Fleck, spreading and multiplying as if multiple arms and hands reached in the next instant all rainbow sparks around Fleck, embracing the sparks and turning them from rainbow to faint blue. Then, the crimson mithril threads lost the previous light they had, getting back to normal, and the spell ends up being deflected, hitting Selvin that was right behind him instead. He falls down to the floor, tight as a log, with both arms and legs as if chains and ropes were passed around him in order to restrain him.


    -¡±Look what you have done¡­¡±- says Fleck as he turns to see Selvin on the floor and his sister trying covering him with her body, then turning back to the woman in front of him.


    -¡±Are those¡­ death runes?¡±- the woman in the red cloak and hood asks, putting her left hand to her mouth once more as she starts incorporating herself.


    -¡±I¡¯m impressed, I¡¯ll give you that, that someone manages to recognize them. Indeed, this is a magical weapon,¡±- Fleck says as he grabs the long sword with both hands, showing off along the blade, runes engraved there in a forgotten language, lighten up in a faint blue light -¡±it is a shame though. It is like a Zunkois saying goes: ¡°You jumped the gun¡±, and that is your downfall.¡±-


    Right before Fleck swings his sword, the boss enters the automated cart and yells -¡±Hold it!¡±- while raising his right hand.


    -¡±What¡­ what¡¯s the matter boss?¡±- Fleck says, keeping the stance and not letting the woman in front of him out of sight.


    -¡±That is what I want to ask!¡±-


    -¡±This woman, right there¡±- Fleck says as he changes the high stance he had to a lower one and points with his thumb towards her -¡±She wasn¡¯t with us when we escaped, nor when we fell from the waterfall. I was about to throw her off the cart.¡±-


    The woman snorts.


    -¡±I see,¡±- the boss says -¡±in normal circumstances, I would agree, Fleck. This time though, she stays.¡±-


    -¡±What are you¡­¡±-


    -¡±Everything you said is correct, but I meet her right at the bottom of the waterfall, Fleck, right after we got out of the lake¡­ She made me a proposal that I couldn¡¯t refuse¡­¡±-


    Fleck falls into silence, and the boss takes the opportunity to finish -¡±That is why, she stays, end of the discussion.¡±- then adding towards the woman -¡±I¡¯m sorry for the commotion, Hashi.¡±-


    Hashi giggles and says -¡±It¡¯s ok, Masha.¡±-


    -¡±Thank fortunes that I got an automated cart that can do an automated pilot to an extent¡­¡±- The boss Masha says as he goes back into the driver¡¯s seat.


    -¡±Meeting a woman right outside of the capital city and somehow you still convinced him to let you travel with him, in the middle of an Ether storm¡­ how did you do it?¡±-


    -¡±What is this?¡±- Hashi says as she lets a small chuckle escape -¡±One moment you are about to thrust your sword down my throat and now you are all good manners?¡±-


    Fleck lets a sight escape as he sheathes his sword.


    -¡±What a party pooper you are, Fleck¡±- Hashi says while leaning forward, revealing that she is dressed in the upper part with a light pink shirt that as a large cleavage, revealing her large breasts. Resting her left hand over them, she adds -¡±Let¡¯s say¡­ that¡­ I know how to speak to a man¡¯s head...¡±-


    After a moment of silence where Fleck stares at her breasts, he finally says -¡±Go figure, with a fake name like that¡­ nevertheless, it explains some things.¡±-


    -¡±What a rude man... pushy and rude, ugh...¡±-


    -¡±Deal with it. Nevertheless, welcome aboard, Hashi.¡±- Fleck says as he turns to Selvin once more and, standing right in front of him, slightly unsheathes his sword, removing the restraining spell he was under even though Selvin''s sister was still between them.

 Chapter 8 - Twilight of Youth

    A room lies in darkness. The sound of waves a seagull comes through the closed windows. A rustle between the small bed¡¯s bedsheets betrays that the bed is occupied. Low, muffled sounds can be heard from outside of the room, constant steps that suddenly get louder as they cross from one side of the room to the other. The racket of a door¡¯s handle twisting fills the room. The screech of the door opening is followed by the figure of a large shadow entering and, in a couple of steps, it reaches for the windows, opening both and letting the sunlight fill the room, bringing color to the penumbra and casting almost all shadows away.


    The large man to whom the large shadow belonged, tall enough that he needs to bend in order to enter the room, turns to the bed and reaching his large hands he takes away the bedsheets, revealing a young boy, wearing pirate-themed pajamas.


    -¡±Son¡­¡±- the man whispers as he closes on him, his beard almost touching him, then adding -¡±Time to wake up!¡±- elevating his voice a lot. At this moment, by instinct, his body straightens up and the man ends up hitting his head with the ceiling.


    The boy, at the yell of his father, suddenly jumps out of bed, falling into the floor and crawling in all fours as he searches for something to grab and pull himself up, still sleepy and trying to keep his equilibrium.


    -¡±I-I-I¡¯m awame!¡±- Says the boy as he starts to stand up.


    -¡±Awame?!¡±- The father exclaims, still rubbing his head from the hit, followed by laughter that echoes in the entire room.


    -¡±Ugh! I mean, I¡¯m awake!¡±-


    -¡±Sure, sure. I can see that. Morning, son.¡±-


    The boy, now standing and still wiping away at his eyes replies -¡±Morning, captain¡­¡±- and after some more wiping, he asks -¡±What¡¯s the matter? You don¡¯t wake me up in the morning unless it is important.¡±-


    Raising his right hand, the father reveals a sand clock, moving it from side to side in a pendulum-like motion. Then, he asks -¡±Aren¡¯t you forgetting something?¡±-


    The boy stares at the sand clock, dumbfounded in part because he still hasn¡¯t woken up completely.


    -¡±You¡­ had¡­ a¡­¡±- The father starts saying slowly as he makes gestures with his left hand to let his son complete the sentence.


    The boy stares at the clock again, then lets a yawn escape, and finally, like if a thunderbolt just struck him, he exclaims -¡±Curses! Curses upon curses!¡±-


    -¡±Curses! Watch your language young boy!¡±- the father exclaims as the boy runs by him out of the room.


    -¡±I¡¯m sorry!¡±- the voice of the boy reaches his ears as the sound of a door outside of the room being opened and the sound of water running fill little by little the room.


    Turning, the tall man lets a sight escape and walks to the window, peeking out to see the blue ocean in front of him. He takes in the view of the beach, at about five minutes of walking down the street, and looks to the sides, seeing old buildings made from wood to gray concrete. A couple of cherry blossoms trees extend their branches over him, now in full bloom, giving him refuge from the intense sun that is often present most of the year in New Arcadia. As he looks at the beach, his eyes move towards the horizon, and he finds himself looking at the wall of steam at the north-east, and as he keeps going up, he looks at a small dark point in the distance, small enough that if he could extend his hands and grab it, it wouldn¡¯t be bigger than the wooden vases he uses to drink. This dark point in the horizon extended way up into the sky.


    Stolen from its original source, this story is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.To think that the Abyss is right there on top¡­ it is so small from here, it almost seems like a lie.


    As he is thinking this, without realizing he drops his sight back down to the beach as a group of girls is making their way into the beach, already in their swimsuits. A collection of white skin combined with pink, blue, black and some dotted ones, the big, burly man lets a sight escape as he mutters -¡±The season of romance has begun, uh?¡±-


    -¡±What¡¯s the season of romance?¡±-


    Being taken by surprise, the man jolts and hits his head with the frame of the window. Backing a couple of steps as he puts both hands where he took the hit, he looks down and sees his son changed already. Sporting blue overalls and a brown shirt on top, he sees how his son is flashing a smile at him, fidgeting with his hands to the sides.


    -¡±Look at that¡­ your mom surely would say you are handsome.¡±-


    -¡±Nice!¡±- The boy says as he motions with both arms, raising them up, and then back down, putting both elbows to the sides and his hands up.


    -¡±Son¡­¡±- The father interrupts his little celebration.


    -¡±What is it?¡±-


    -¡±I¡­ I¡¯ll need soon to travel again.¡±- He says, now rubbing the back of his head.


    The boy falls silent, both arms slowly going down.


    -¡±How long?¡±- The boy mutters.


    -¡±I don¡¯t think it will as long as the last ones¡±- the father says, opening both arms and making a strange expression in a futile effort to cheer him up.


    -¡±But?¡±-


    -¡±It will be about¡­ three months.¡±-


    -¡±Well, it certainly is shorter than before¡­¡±-


    Both fall into silence.


    The father then kneels, and putting a hand to his son¡¯s shoulder he says -¡±Don¡¯t worry, I¡¯ll be back. I already asked old lady Gertrude to take care of you in the meanwhile.¡±-


    The son¡¯s face suddenly shines up -¡±Really?! Her cookies are the best!¡±-


    The father lets a chuckle escape -¡±She will too help you manage the shop while I¡¯m out.¡±-


    -¡±You¡­ you¡¯re trusting your shop, to me?¡±-


    -¡±That¡¯s right. Think you can handle it, my second in command?¡±-


    -¡±Hell yeah!¡±-


    -¡±The hell! Watch your language boy!¡±-


    The boy and father chuckle together.


    -¡±Now go, you will be late at this rate.¡±-


    The boy falls again into silence, but this time he jumps and hugs his tall father. Ruffling the hairs of his large beard and hairy arms, he says -¡±I¡¯ll someday have as much hair as you do.¡±-


    -¡±Well, you can¡¯t be a true pirate without pubic hair!¡±- the father lets a burst of roaring laughter escape -¡±You have to look the part indeed!¡±-


    As the father puts down his son, he runs to the door of the room and turning one last time, he says -¡±Don¡¯t worry, you can¡¯t trust in me, captain Lee Sparrow!¡±-


    -¡±Aye, aye, I¡¯m counting on you.¡±- Lee smiles at his son, and his son smiles back. He then adds -¡±Now, go.¡±-


    Turning once more, the boy then runs out of the house, his small steps in the wooden floor echoing in the house, not before being muffled and then, the sound of the main door of the house is opened, and then shut down.


    Being left alone in the house, Lee raises the sand clock that he has in his right hand. Seeing under it, some letters can be made up ¡°Celestials Trading Company. Clock provided for contract number 6. If you want to renovate your contract, please have the appropriate compensation at hand before the time runs out.¡±


    Even when the sand clock was upside down, the sand grains still fell in the same direction, as if Lee didn¡¯t turn the sand clock upside down.


    He had trouble waking up... Time is running out¡­ I have to be fast¡­

 Chapter 9 - Headwind

    -¡±We bee¡¯ travling three days in a row now¡­¡±- Selvin voice¡¯s raise in the otherwise silent automated cart. He and his sister are beside the driver¡¯s entrance, where the boss, Masha, continues to drive after taking over with one of his own bodyguards.


    -¡±Yeah¡­¡±- His sister only shakes her head slightly. Not looking at Selvin that is between her arms, she looks side to side on the long automated cart.


    -¡±Ana¡­¡±-


    -¡±Uh?¡±-


    -¡±I think tis¡¯ is the loooooongest trip we¡¯ve eve¡¯ don¡¯.¡±-


    Ana falls into silence. Breaking from her constant state of alert, she lets her head fall onto Selvin¡¯s and lets a sight escape. After some thought, she says -¡±I think we already passed our home.¡±-


    -¡±That explains things.¡±- Fleck says, incorporating himself from his sitting position. He is sitting right beside Selvin and Ana.


    -¡±Wha¡¯ do you mean?¡±- Selvin asks. Ana hugs Selvin more tightly as if she wanted to keep him away from him and any additional millimeter is worth it.


    -¡±You didn¡¯t give me the impression of being locals from the capital. Now I understand, you come from outside, from other states of Zunko.¡±-


    -¡±Wow, you right!¡±- Selvin says as he elevates slightly his voice in amazement.


    -¡±So what?¡±- Ana asks, letting a defiant tone come through in her voice.


    -¡±Nothing.¡±- Says Fleck, cutting off the conversation with Ana. Then, turning to Selvin, he asks -¡±How was it? The first time you arrived at the capital.¡±-


    -¡±It was awesome!¡±- Selvin says, raising both arms and hitting Ana slightly in the chin -¡±So many things that I didn¡¯t even dream off or could ever imagine where all in the capital. Floating automated carts, floating carts, so many nice clothes, so many types of tasty food, very nice looking buildings, even for us in the slums, they were a lot nicer than where we lived back at home¡­¡±-


    -¡±We also found a lot of assholes¡±- Adds Ana, rubbing her chin. Then, speaking to Selvin, she says -¡±I told you, didn¡¯t I? Do not get chummy with the bunch in the capital. Too many don¡¯t want us there.¡±-


    -¡±Don¡¯t cut off his excitement like that. He sounds like he was enjoying himself overall.¡±- Fleck says.


    -¡±And you stop butting in the matters that don¡¯t concern or involve you.¡±- Ana fires back.


    Rubbing the back of his head, Fleck then lets a sight escape and says -¡±Don¡¯t mistake this girl, the trip until now has been so boring that I tried to pass time with something entertaining. Not that I¡¯m truly concerned or interested in you or him overall, you two are nothing but a pair of country bumpkins after all.¡±-


    Ana and Selvin don¡¯t say anything else as Fleck stands up and approaches the driver''s entrance, crossing multiple crimson lines that the light-up crimson mithril threads cast into the floor and surroundings inside the automated cart.


    Peeking in, he can see Masha at his left in the driver''s seat, beside him another of his bodyguards, a bald one, and to his right, Hashi, still clad in that large red cloak and hood. He sees how the bodyguard is pointing to Masha in a couple of directions in front of them. Looking through the glass in front of them, Fleck can still make the Ether Storm that has formed high in the skies of Arcadia.


    -¡±How are we going boss?¡±- Fleck asks.


    Turning, Masha meets Fleck¡¯s eyes and says -¡±Ah, it is you, Fleck. Well, to be honest, we are a bit behind schedule. The Ether Storm, even when it has set down, still is sending huge amounts of Ether Winds in all directions, and that is hindering the speed of the automated cart. Maybe if this beautiful had some wheels we could move faster under these circumstances, but we don¡¯t have them. We can¡¯t risk putting someone out there to cast a phantasmal or projection spell too to create said wheels, no one has the right affinity and mindset which would, in turn, make the chant too large to cast. Under normal circumstances, it wouldn¡¯t be a problem but almost no people can stand being under the Ether Winds for more than a couple of seconds before it turns that person unable to fight for at least three months straight, and we are short of personnel as things are right now. So, I asked my trusted bodyguard here if he had any idea since we need to move faster to reclaim the lost time, and¡­¡±-


    Did you know this story is from Royal Road? Read the official version for free and support the author.-¡±I recommend we keep moving towards the throat of Arcadia, but at the same time move slightly to the south.¡±- The bald bodyguard says.


    -¡±I see¡­¡±- Fleck rubs his chin. In this moment of silence, he looks for a moment towards Hashi, who hasn¡¯t said a thing and hasn¡¯t almost moved at all besides crossing her long legs, her right leg over her left. Then, coming back to Masha, Fleck says -¡±The plan is to avoid the plains and use the uneven terrain of the south to at least partially guard against the Ether Winds.¡±-


    Masha stares at Fleck, and then at his bodyguard -¡±Look at that Roger!¡±- he says as he gives a slight push to his bodyguard¡¯s left shoulder -¡±Someone seems to be as familiar with the terrain as you.¡±-


    Roger only lets a snort escape, but he doesn¡¯t turn around to meet Fleck eyes.


    -¡±Are you thinking of guiding the boss into the chasm?¡±- Fleck asks Roger.


    Without turning, Roger replies -¡±That is the idea, yes. While the chasm isn¡¯t a big one by any means, it still has its depth, enough I think that no Ether Winds would reach the automated cart while it is there.¡±-


    As Fleck looks outside of the automated cart through the windows of the driver''s section, he can see the grass and soil having multiple lines of glittering lights, parallel to each other, as if lines in the sand under the water on a beach where. Along with it, he sees multiple patches of bushes, some trees, and a lot of dead grass, bushes, trees, animals, with some corpses growing bushes of a strange enough nature that Fleck didn¡¯t even want to know what they truly were.


    We saw multiple animals running away the very first moment the Ether Storm appeared and still during the first day of our travel, especially with birds¡­ it seems that not that many were able to escape the Ether Winds.


    -¡±Well, I would suggest then that you turn to the south already, boss¡±- Fleck says.


    -¡±Uh? Roger says that the entrance is still a bit further away.¡±-


    Roger lets a sight escape.


    -¡±That would be true under normal circumstances. At the speeds, an automated cart can muster we would be far closer to the throat of Arcadia and we would have missed the first leveled entrance to the south region and the chasm a while ago. At the speed this automated cart is going right now, we should still be within the area where the first entrance is.¡±-


    Masha looks at Fleck in silence, then at Roger, then again at Fleck, then again at Roger. Finally, he looks at Fleck and asks -¡±Want to come and exclusively work for me?¡±-


    -¡±No.¡±- Fleck replies, the answer coming out instantly as he turns gets back into the large section of the automated cart.


    -¡±Such a shame¡±- Fleck can hear, accompanied by the sound of a small bell.

 Chapter 10 - Roadblock

    -¡±It has been a week by now, right?¡±- Hashi speaks in the otherwise silent driver''s section.


    -¡±Indeed¡±- Masha says -¡±The Ether Winds, even when they have quiet down a bit, they still push us with a bit too much strength. Not counting the radiation with the Ether not settling down, this trip by the Winds alone has been proven to be a pain from the get-go.¡±-


    -¡±All because of the Ether Storm¡­ This is frustrating.¡±-


    -¡±Yeah,¡±- Masha replies -¡±No one can predict an Ether Storm sweety, and even between the ones I have seen, this one is quite an ugly one. Let us pray that it doesn¡¯t turn into an Ether Star because then this trip would be definitively terminated.¡±-


    -¡±Prayers, you say?¡±-


    -¡±Yeah, to seek the favor of the Gods in this journey.¡±-


    -¡±Masha, please, the Gods are no longer with us¡­¡±- Hashi moves in her seat, her body stiff after being sit in the same position for a long time -¡±And if they are, I doubt they would pay attention to our prayers¡­¡±-


    -¡±Can¡¯t say that I don¡¯t see your point, sweet Hashi,¡±- Masha says, as he raises his right hand and one of his ringed fingers with it -¡±Ever since the revolt thirty years ago our world has become barren of any God. You could say that no one has seen them. Rumors that run in the taverns and pubs tell tales of some people still managing to see them, but even when you take into account every one of said rumors, the most believable ones can be counted with one hand, and still, no one makes a hard case for them to be true, even by the guys in the Divine Archeology Guild, and you know that they are the Eminences regarding knowledge about the Gods.¡±-


    Hashi lets out, without noticing, a heavy sight.


    -¡±Still,¡±- Masha adds -¡±I doubt that they would turn a deaf ear to our prayers. They aren¡¯t like us, humans.¡±-


    Hashi lets a snort escape and then says -¡±Doubt they would answer the prayer of a slave trafficker though.¡±-


    Masha chuckles -¡±Hey! You never know! As far as I see it, I¡¯m driving divine punishment to the fools that supported the revolt. I¡¯m sure that at least one or two Gods will appreciate it¡­ in some way at least. I mean, I even have a couple of Arcadians in the back right there! Those idiots who were the first to revolt and shattered Goddess Ishtar¡­ For all I care these bastards aren¡¯t human. Certainly, their blood agrees with me.¡±-


    -¡±You can be quite chatty, uh?¡±- Hashi giggles as she covers her mouth with her left arm.


    -¡±For you, anything, my sweet Hashi¡±- Masha replies as he lets a giggle escape that makes him sound like a mix of a teenage boy and a donkey. Then, suddenly Masha leans forward on his seat, then he stands and says -¡±It seems Fleck was right, the beginning of the chasm is right there.¡±- Then, he turns to the inside of the Automated Cart and yells -¡±Hey Fleck, you were right! When we get to Sarahasha the drinks are on me!¡±-


    -¡±Prepare your wallet!¡±- Hashi can hear Fleck¡¯s voice, mumbling like if it were drunk.


    Deal with it


    The echo of Fleck¡¯s words still bounce in Hashi¡¯s head. It has been such a long while since a man has flat out rejected her. Not in the romantic sense, but in such an¡­ uncaring way?


    I thought I had him with my breasts, after all he stared at them so hard and so nonchalantly. He looks rough on the edges but nothing special overall, yet his expression didn¡¯t change at all¡­ Something just doesn¡¯t make sense.


    As Hashi is deep in thought, the automated cart enters the chasm, hovering right over the small river, surrounded by multiple gray and white rocks. Since the Ether Winds don¡¯t reach the automated cart here, it suddenly gets a lot more speed, bursting forward as if it had dropped tons of cargo. A small orange ball bounces into the drivers section, ending between Hashi¡¯s tights.


    -¡±What th-!¡±- Masha exclaims as he moves on instinct to the side, rotating the crystal that controls the automated cart and making it do a hard left turn. He incorporates fast and stabilizes the automated cart just as a small boy appears in the driver¡¯s section entrance.


    The story has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the violation.-¡±Sorry boss!¡±-


    -¡±The Hell Selvin! Want to get us all killed!?¡±-


    -¡±I apologize, Boss!¡±- Selvin says as he bows fast, but then stands up as fast and asks -¡±Did you saw where my ball ended? I was playing with my sis but I threw a bit too hard.¡±-


    -¡±Here¡±- Hashi says, as she reaches for the ball and gives it back. Selvin opens wide his eyes and his entire face blushes as he takes the ball back.


    -¡±Thank you.¡±- He mutters before entering back.


    Hashi lets a giggle escape. Ever since this little trip started she has been relaxing a lot more than usual, dropping her guard further than what she usually lets herself open.


    -¡±Boss¡­¡±- A bald man with a large beard and a scar in the shape of an X on his left eye, white skin, appears in the driver¡¯s entrance.


    -¡±Fergus? What¡¯s the matter?¡±-


    -¡±I have a reading.¡±- He says as he opens his left eye, revealing an emerald green Ether Stone with carvings.


    -¡±What do you see?¡±- Masha¡¯s tone and voice change from the more goofy one to a more serious, somber one.


    -¡±It isn¡¯t clear, there is still interference. I thought that once we entered in the chasm I could finally have clear readings, since we have taken refuge from the Ether Winds¡­ but that isn¡¯t the case.¡±-


    -¡±What does that mean?¡±- Hashi asks.


    -¡±Sweet Hashi, it means that we are going right into an ambush. The question is when it will come?¡±-


    At this moment, the automated cart is shaken from behind. A couple of screams can be heard, followed by an explosion and the smell of magic reaching Hashi¡¯s nose. Then, from the driver¡¯s entrance Fleck appears and says -¡±We have a problem.¡±-


    -¡±Then what are you doing here!? Go solve it!¡±- Masha barks.


    -¡±No, no, that problem is already solved. We have another problem right now.¡±- Fleck replies.


    -¡±What do you mean?¡±- Fergus asks.


    -¡±Mimics. Look outside¡±- Fleck says as he point towards the window -¡±See those rocks to the sides? On a natural weather, there aren¡¯t usually that many rocks here, but since an Ether Storm erupted, many mimics have come here and taken refuge in this chasm, mimicking the rocks that they have beside them and using them as cover. Back there when the boss made that strong left turn, the automated cart hovered over one and it latched to the cart.¡±-


    -¡±Oh, God¡­¡±- Masha says as he rubs both eyes -¡±How much of a problem it is?¡±-


    -¡±Zunkois mimics are known to move in hives, so¡­ no matter what, keep the straight line if you don¡¯t want all of us to die under the weight of hundreds of mimics.¡±-


    -¡±Now¡­ that is just great¡­ I understand now¡­¡±- Masha says.


    -¡±What¡¯s the matter?¡±- Fleck asks. At the same time that he asks this question, the automated cart is shaken from the side.


    -¡±We are moving straight into an ambush, that¡¯s the matter!¡±- Masha yells his lungs out.


    -¡±Another mimic!¡±- can be heard someone scream from the back, together with Selvin¡¯s and his sister¡¯s scream.


    -¡±I¡¯ll go out and take care of it. While I¡¯m it I¡¯ll try to keep the road forward clear of any rock that it a bit too close to the automated cart path.¡±- Hashi says as she opens her window and starts getting out and climb to the top of the automated cart.


    -¡±Wait, th-!¡±- Fleck starts saying, but Hashi interjects him -¡±Don¡¯t bother, I have to collaborate on this little trip, don¡¯t I?¡±-


    Getting on top of the driver¡¯s section, Hashi can feel the wind hitting her face at great speeds. Keeping her hood in place with her left hand, she turns to see the mimic, a lobster-like creature with large, thin limbs, grabbed to the side. Hashi, with a smug in her face, chants.


    Meteoro.


    In an instant the mimic is surrounded by rainbow sparks, and the next instant a strong hit impacts it, making it lose its grip and make it fall on the river.


    Well, they aren¡¯t that dangerous, that i-


    As she turns to face forward, she can¡¯t complete that thought since a strong flash of light comes from a collection of rocks forward, hitting the automated cart head-on, stopping it almost on the spot, sending Hashi flying through the air a couple of meters forward.

 Chapter 11 - Grudge

    The rattle of the cages at the sudden stop of the automated cart still echoed in Fleck¡¯s ears. After being flung against the wall beside the entrance of the driver¡¯s section, he has fallen straight up against the floor, with the world around him spinning and spinning in his head.


    Multiple muffled voices reach his ears. Voices of laughter fill the automated cart together with the sound of armor being rattled at each heavy step. Fleck feels how he is lifted in the air, being grabbed by the chain mail, and then thrown off into the dirt beside the river. Just a moment later he feels how a sudden pressure is applied to the right of his spine, a little higher from his hips.


    The bastard¡­ just jumped from the cart into me¡­


    After being lifted once more, he is taken to the front of the cart where he is dropped off once more. While the world around him stops spinning and comes into focus, the rest of the people in the cart is dropped off beside him.


    Looking in front of him, Fleck can make the figure of multiple people surrounding them. All wearing brown leather armor with crossbows, swords and a couple of maces, Fleck notices how some weapons have Ether threads carved into them, and one crossbow, in particular, has runes inscribed into it.


    -¡±What the hell¡­¡±- Fleck can hear to his left the voice of Masha, muttering and mumbling.


    -¡±Sorry about that, boss¡±- Roger¡¯s voice reach them from behind as he is moving to be in front of them -¡±But, you know, my new employer made an offer I can¡¯t resist.¡±-


    Masha lets a chuckle escape, followed by mild laughter. Then, as if speaking to himself, he says -¡±See? All hypocrites, all just pure trash.¡±-


    -¡±What about the one that went flying forward once we stopped the cart?¡±- One of the bandits that where in front of them asks.


    -¡±Forget about him, he should be dead anyway.¡±- The one that seems the leader of the group speaks, a sword between his hands. He then takes a couple of steps towards Masha and says -¡±Our boss the SaltRock sends her regards.¡±-


    -¡±That bastard¡­ I can¡¯t stay surprised any longer, this kind of stuff is what she orders around¡­ which would mean¡­¡±-


    -¡±Indeed, it means that¡­¡±- The man says as he gestures with his right hand. One of the bandits behind him comes forward, and with one swing of the mace he has, he crushes the head of someone that is further to Fleck¡¯s left. The body falls limp onto the ground. An emerald green ether stone appears in Fleck¡¯s line of sight on the ground.


    To his right, the sound of sobbing reaches Fleck¡¯s ears. Turning, he sees that Ana has been taken out too and she is making all the effort needed to not lose it all the while keeping Selvin¡¯s eyes covered.


    -¡±Nasty woman.¡±- Masha says in a somber voice with a serious tone.


    -¡±Can¡¯t help it. Orders are orders, after all, and the boss said that she particularly wanted you out of the picture, but that we should do it in the most humiliating, slow way possible.¡±- The bandit says as he gestures and with another swing of the mace, another of the mercenaries falls on the ground. He then adds -¡±Don¡¯t know what is the history between you two, but for her to wish such thing¡­ even I can see that that is quite a grudge she holds against you.¡±-


    As Fleck¡¯s sight finally stabilizes, he can see observe well all the bandits that are in front of him, while a slight drizzle starts to fall. All scruffy, covered in dirt from head to toe, for some reason they aren¡¯t wearing any sort of body armor covering the upper part of the torso. All of them muscular, and the leader being the only one that for some strange reason has his hair be pretty long and silky. Fleck lets a chuckle escape but not before catching something that is behind the bandits and further into the chasm: The silhouette of a person wearing a large hood and cloak standing up, with a mimic bitting at her right arm but strangely enough not being able to chop it off even with their incredible strength.


    The tale has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the violation.A kick flies right into Fleck¡¯s stomach, which in turn makes him bend with his face reaching the ground. He didn¡¯t notice but he was strip from his armor plate, probably when he couldn¡¯t focus and his head was spinning.


    Turning to Masha as the third swing to the mace comes around and the third body falls into the ground, taking advantage that the leader of the bandits just stood up and reached for the green emerald ether stone on the ground, Fleck mutters -¡±Hey, boss.¡±-


    -¡±What is it?¡±-


    -¡±You can fight, right?¡±-


    -¡±A physical fight I can¡¯t, but I have an ace under my sleeve if I need it.¡±-


    -¡±Well, be prepared then.¡±- Fleck says as he glances once more to Hashi all in time to see three little lights come out from her right arm and, with one movement, she stabs the mimic with her right arm alone from the inside, her right hand coming out right above the mimic¡¯s head, and the mimic going limp. Then, Hashi starts to being surrounded, little by little, with rainbow sparks.


    The rain gains strength, at which the leader says -¡±It would be bad if we get trapped in an Ether hail¡­¡±- Then, standing up, he adds while barking -¡±Well boys! Our objective is complete here! Hop in the automated cart and steal it, get ours out of the camouflage spells, and kill everyone here at once. We tried to comply with the boss¡¯ orders but an Ether hail would put us all at risk and shame her even more, so let¡¯s put an end to it.¡±-


    Multiple -¡±Finally¡±- can be heard from the bandits behind the leader. Fleck can hear how Ana is just muttering -¡±No, no, please no, no¡­¡±- again and again.


    Just before the leader turns, Fleck says -¡±Don¡¯t you all look a bit too stupid?¡±-


    The leader stops and faces Fleck -¡±What do you mean?¡±-


    -¡±I mean, I guess I can¡¯t blame you. The tastes of your boss, quite the deviant I see.¡±-


    -¡±There¡¯s nothing wrong with the boss¡¯ tastes.¡±- The leader replies, a slight angry tone betraying the otherwise calm exterior he is trying to portray.


    -¡±And I couldn¡¯t care less about her tastes either, that is, as long as she keeps them to herself. Why the hell does she have the need to go on showing off her gross tastes to everyone else? If I die now I certainly don¡¯t want the image of her plaything to be the last the thing I see in my life.¡±-


    Masha bursts into laughter, all the while saying -¡±And you want to become her plaything too, Roger! You must have lost all sense of pride as a man!¡±-


    Fleck bursts into laughter too.


    Raising a mace of his own, Roger comes from behind the leader, but ends up being blocked by the leader¡¯s arm.


    Raising his eyes, Fleck sees how the leader¡¯s face has contorted into an expression of anger, with multiple sharp edges. Then, raising his voice more, Fleck remarks -¡±Look at that, Masha, so angry yet still not saying anything. Does his boss put a leash on all her dogs?¡±-


    -¡±Indeed. It¡¯s a spell called Geass. They are tied in a way that they can¡¯t escape from¡­ oooh, now I understand how they were able to set up this ambush¡­ Roger, Roger, Roger, Roger¡­ To think that you would already be that witch¡¯s bitch.¡±-


    Roger starts screaming in fury and tries to pass the leader who is blocking his path, turning to block him with his entire body -¡±I¡¯ll kill them, Venetur, I¡¯ll kill them!¡±-


    -¡±Stand down!¡±- The leader Venetur yells. At this, Roger flinches and takes two steps back.


    Still pushing against him with his whole body, pressing his head against Roger¡¯s chest, the leader says -¡±Don¡¯t worry, they won¡¯t escape punishment. For insulting our lady SaltRock, I will make them pay with their lives.¡±- While saying this, Venetur puts a hand to Roger¡¯s shoulder and incorporates himself, which in turns puts Hashi straight up in his field of vision.


    -¡±What th-¡±- He exclaims, but he can¡¯t finish the sentence before a sudden rush of water envelops his legs.


    -¡±Now!¡±- Fleck barks, and in a single swoop, from the river that has grown up in size multiple water spears are fired, hitting all the bandits head-on, blowing away many heads off.

 Chapter 12 - Chase

    In one instant a couple of bodies fall into the water. In the next one, the ones on their knees stood up and, fighting the growing river and the rain and pushing the bandits through the air that were left in front of them, boarded the automated cart, one of them carrying two figures that were to his right that seem to have been paralyzed by fear. In the next instant, a war cry reached Hashi¡¯s ears accompanied by thunderbolts, and by looking to both sides, she sees how from two big spots of what she presumed to be more white and gray rocks, a light shone, and in an instant said rocks vanished, revealing more automated carts in their place, every one of them having the image of a woman in front of them.


    Looking to her automated cart, Hashi sees how Masha reaches the front seat in the driver¡¯s section and with one movement blue lights in straight lines run across the automated cart, making it move once more. Hearing the air whistle, she turns to see multiple arrows surrounded by rainbow sparks coming in her direction. Taking the cloak with her left hand, she swings it in front of her. At the touch of the arrows, many threads in the cloak glow in blue and red lights, revealing multiple eye-like patterns all across it and blocking arrows and magic alike. Even so, at the stroke of some arrows the force of the strength they were carrying pushed Hashi back a couple of steps.


    A second whistle reaches her ears. As the eye-like patterns dim down, she peeks out of her cloak and sees how more arrows are already flying towards her and also now towards her automated cart, which is already on the move and coming straight to her. Taking a couple of steps back, Hashi sidesteps a couple of arrows and jumps, covering herself with her cloak, in order to reach the roof of the driver¡¯s section of the automated cart, but as she reaches it she hits the roof instead, sending her upward in the air. Uncovering herself with her cloak, she extends her left arm on instinct and grabs to the cloth that covers the long, back part of the automated cart as it starts to gain speed and fly by the automated carts of the bandits.


    Like a thousand little needles, the droplets of the rain sting Hashi¡¯s face as the automated cart cuts through the rain at full speed. She clamps her hand as hard as she can, but the pain in her left shoulder, the place where she took the hit, makes it impossible to muster any strength on her arm, pain that gets worse as the automated cart start shaking, taking hits from the persecuting bandits attacks and putting pressure on her shoulder, all the while the crimson mithril threads start to glow bright red in the darkness.


    No options¡­ need to stop being so stubborn.


    As she raises her right arm from inside her cloak, the automated cart is hit with a particular strong attack, making it shake up and down, making Hashi lose her grip and raise into the air as she lets a groan escape -¡±Argh!¡±- with her heart jumping to her throat, followed by a second one as she feels her left arm suddenly tighten.


    Raising her eyes, she is meet with the sight of Fleck, kneeling, holding her by her left arm, right on top of the roof of the cart.


    -¡±Give me your other hand!¡±- Hashi can hear Fleck yell as he gestures with his extended left arm.


    Hashi bites her lower lip.


    -¡±Come on, fast!¡±-


    He¡¯s rigth¡­


    Hashi comes into her senses and grabs onto Fleck with her right arm, revealing it to be a prosthetic arm with multiple armor platings and runes inscribed on them.


    Fleck stares for an instant her arm, but the shake of the cart and the smoke that starts raising on the back shakes Fleck out of it and pulls Hashi towards him, helping her kneel on the roof, as multiple lights start glowing from behind the cart, the counter-attack finally starting.


    The story has been taken without consent; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident.-¡±I presume you know an offensive spell?!¡±- Fleck yells Hashi.


    Hashi, taking deep breaths, only nods with her head.


    -¡±Good, then give them hell!¡±- Fleck yells once more, pointing towards the other carts. Then, turning towards them, Fleck chants:


    I, who held joy within my hand


    And attempted the thunder dominate


    My hand now seared, unable to hold


    Even the petals of cherry blossoms


    Lanza Trueno.


    A large concentration of rainbow sparks appear right in front of Fleck, but instead of the magic firing, Fleck unsheathes his sword, letting the pale blue lights reach the rainbow sparks.


    -¡±What ar-¡±- Hashi starts saying, but she stops herself as multiple trails of pale blue light come forward surrounding Fleck, and in the next instant multiple blue thunderbolts start firing, one after another, against one of the bandits¡¯ carts. Getting a hit straight on, even when the cart glows, revealing it to be made of crimson mithril, the strength of the push is such that the bandit¡¯s cart is shaken, sinking its nose into the water and flipping over while it spins, taking two other carts in the process.


    Hashi can¡¯t stop but stare at the scene that has just developed in front of her, but this time she gets herself out of it as she slaps herself with her left hand. Turning to see the next cart, she chants:


    Cadenas.


    Getting another hit, this time the bandit¡¯s cart just slows down and falls gently onto the water.


    -¡±Is that the best you have?!¡±- Fleck yells as he puts his hand on Hashi¡¯s shoulder.


    -¡±It is the most reliable one at long distances, yes!¡±- Hashi yells her reply back.


    The roof then shakes from one side to the other. Hashi and Fleck lose equilibrium, with Hashi falling backward and Fleck on top of her belly button. As Fleck tries to get up, Hashi looks to the side to see that the automated cart just avoided a huge white rock that was floating in about the middle of the river, which one of the bandits¡¯ carts just doesn¡¯t see in time, hitting it and the big Zunkois mimic answering in kind, sinking it into the water. Followed by this, multiple arrows with their tips glowing in purple whistle through the air, aimed at both of them, at which Hashi raises both arms and brings Fleck against her belly button once more, getting herself down too, as the arrows pass just straight over them.


    At this moment, each droplet of the rain starts to shine in white color, followed by multiple different colors, together with snow. Raising her eyes, Hashi sees how the black clouds turn their underbelly, the side Hashi manages to sees from the ground, into white with multiple colors, and gain shining properties. Touching her face though, she notices somehow that the droplets are still water, although they sting a bit more than usual. Accompanied by this change in phenomena, an unnatural sound echoes through the chasm, as if multiple fabrics were being ripped apart, as if the bark of a tree was torn apart while a tree falls.


    Putting a hand on her belly, Fleck¡¯s face appears in Hashi¡¯s sight. She is taken aback by the new expression he is making: A mixture of fear, rage and seriousness, all wrapped with an expression of trying to keep calm and pass it as if it were nothing.


    -¡±We have to get in, now.¡±- Fleck speaks with a tone that betrays his anxiety.


    -¡±Wh-Why? What is happening?¡±- Hashi asks.


    -¡±Didn¡¯t you hear it? It¡¯s coming¡­ A J¡¯avo is coming¡­¡±-

 Chapter 13 - Javo

    A sudden silence enveloped the chasm. Beside the carts speeding through it, avoiding the sides at all costs unless they risk a mimic sink them right there, and the sound of the droplets of the ether charged rain hitting their cart, nothing else could be heard. No magic, no shouting, nothing. At the sound that ripped apart the very air a cold sweat was built upon everyone present, after all, all of them have at least once taken a trip in this Gods-stripped world and knew very well what was coming.


    Entering the driver''s section from the side, Fleck sees Masha and him look at him back. No words were needed, Fleck could see how a white, pale color has conquered Masha¡¯s face. Without any words, Masha pushed the cart to its top speed, forcing the etheric engine to overclock. Fleck understood this decision, after all, in the experience he has dealt with J¡¯avo¡¯s, it is better to escape one if possible than to face it head-on.


    Turning to the open side window from which he entered, Fleck sees Hashi sticking her legs in, her cloak fluttering against the air. At this moment, Masha makes a slight deviation, trying to avoid a white rock that was sticking out of the water. This small movement was enough to strongly shake the automated cart, making Hashi lose her grip when she still hasn¡¯t entered the driver¡¯s section.


    Without truly thinking it, Fleck reacts, in one step he reaches Hashi¡¯s hips, surrounding them with his left arm and securing his grip with his right hand, pushing against her belly button. Tightening his body and putting strength on his legs, he carries Hashi all the way into the interior.


    -¡±Thanks¡­¡±- Hashi mutters as she takes in and out a couple of deep breaths, still soaked by the etheric rain.


    -¡±Don¡¯t even mention it.¡±- Fleck says as he raises an open hand in front of her, and then joins together both of Hashi¡¯s legs and, moving out of the seat, puts her in it in his place.


    Incorporating himself, he senses a chill running through his body. Looking at the back, the cargo section, he can see through the opening by the end of the cart how the other carts just stopped attacking and now are just speeding away, just like them. All of them have made a single line behind Masha¡¯s cart in hope for the bandits to take advantage of Masha¡¯s cart breaking the air for them.


    -¡±Is this the limit speed of this automated cart?¡±- Fleck asks to Masha.


    -¡±Full speed, overclocked.¡±-


    -¡±Think we can make it to the throat of arcadia fast enough? Natural water heavily damages them.¡±-


    -¡±We should be right there at any time¡­ as long as that thing isn¡¯t faster, that is.¡±-


    -¡±I see. Well¡­ better us¡­¡±- Fleck mutters to himself as he takes long steps that resound in the automated cart as he moves towards the back.


    -¡±Does any of you have experience with J¡¯avos?¡±- Fleck asks the four mercenaries left that are still standing.


    Everyone shakes their heads.


    -¡±I see. Then move out of the way, and stick as close as possible to the driver¡¯s section. Leave the rest to me.¡±- Fleck replies.


    This story originates from Royal Road. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there.With these words, hail started to fall, piercing the fabric that covers the automated cart. Accompanied by multiple steps and the sound of the hail hitting the wooden floor of the cart, Fleck reaches the opening in the back of the cargo area, just in time to see how a cart that is behind the one that is right after them is lifted in the air. Then, another automated cart, closer this time, is pushed against the wall of the chasm. Another one, this time pushed forward and falling on top of the one that was in front of it.


    This behavior, it is like it is chasing something, ignoring everything else¡­ is it us?


    Two more carts are sent out flying.


    That¡¯s it, now there¡¯s only one cart between us and them¡­ indeed it is coming for us, but why? We shouldn¡¯t have the highest etheric readings, it should be average between all of us.


    Suddenly, Fleck can see how a light goes up and down right in the middle of the cart that is behind them. This light almost reaches Fleck¡¯s nose. One moment the cart continues to run, and the next one it falls into two and into the water, letting a shadowy figure pass.


    This one seems to imitate a ground animal, probably it can¡¯t fly. The throat of arcadia will be out best bet after all¡­


    The J¡¯avo comes closer, shoving to the sides all hail that is hitting its shadowy body. At the touch of each hail, the body gains color for an instant, right before turning shadow once more. With all the colors that is hitting it, Fleck can devise that has taken the shape of a horse.


    It probably killed one when it crossed to this side.


    A light shines over the head of the J¡¯avo, at which Fleck unsheathes his sword and the blue pale light deflects its light. Letting a screech escape, the J¡¯avo comes closer, freezing the water of the river in order to run, and from its mouth shadowy tentacles come sprouting, grabbing Fleck¡¯s cart.


    Sword still in hand, Fleck changes the pale blue light of the sword to a yellow one, and with one circular swing Fleck cuts the tentacles with an electrical wave, freeing the cart from being toppled over by the J¡¯avo¡¯s strength. The small pieces that are still attached to the cart suddenly gain color and become like rocks, no different than the hail hitting the cart beside the size and composition of colors.


    Another screech, and the J¡¯avo surrounds itself with a dark mist, at which Fleck lets a gasp escape and then turns to yell -¡±Masha, full speed ahead! Blow up the engine if needed to be!¡±-


    He can only see a thumbs up from the driver¡¯s section and Hashi peeking to see what is happening, right before turning once more to face the J¡¯avo who has gained terrain, moving way faster than before.


    Swinging left and right, stopping new tentacles from reaching the cart, Fleck then whispers -¡±I see you are forcing my hand here¡±- as a wry smile is drawn on his face. Moments later, he jumps out of the cart, landing right on top of the J¡¯avo¡¯s head, piercing it with his sword.

 Chapter 14 - Throat of Arcadia

    She couldn¡¯t believe it, yet her eyes didn¡¯t betrayed her: Fleck just jumped off the cart, right onto the J¡¯avo in pursue. Her mouth dropped when he landed on top of it, and even more when, with one movement, Fleck swing himself to the other side of its head, as if he now was riding it.


    What is he thinking?!


    As if being in agreement with Hashi, the J¡¯avo let a strong screech resound. Even when it had its head pierced with Fleck¡¯s sword the screech still came out, starting to bloat its figure in multiple parts of its body, bringing out even more mist to surround itself with. As the amount of mist grows, the J¡¯avo gains more and more speed and size, bloating its head especially.


    Reaching the automated cart, it rams its head against it, but it didn¡¯t apply a lot of strength since the cart was being about as fast as itself. Nevertheless, just one touch of the J¡¯avo was enough to set the wooden floor planks ablaze.


    Hashi stands from her seat just in time to see how the J¡¯avo suddenly gets constantly zapped by Fleck, still gripping his sword. Followed by this, the air around the J¡¯avo distorts and a downward pressure can be devised increasing in strength, with all the hail that enters the zone affected suddenly changing trajectory from its diagonal direction to a straight vertical direction, right against the ground.


    Followed by this, a couple of the mercenaries still present stand up and start firing at the J¡¯avo arrows and spells, hitting it but as the J¡¯avo grows up these do less and less damage against it, almost shrugging it off entirely. Hashi can hear how Selvin is screaming for them to stop since Fleck was still on top of it.


    Reaching again the automated cart, the J¡¯avo rams it once more, this time instantly freezing the fire that was eating away the wooden planks, shifting the weight of the cart slightly to the back. At this moment, the J¡¯avo opens its mouth and from it comes a multicolored light. At the sight of this, Hashi gets to Masha and pushes him against the control crystal at the same time she ducks herself, just in time to dodge the vertical light beam that cuts off entirely the upper half of the automated cart, crimson threads and everything, and in the next instant Hashi sees how the upper half is dragged away by the air, hitting the J¡¯avo right on, getting Fleck completely out of her sight.


    -¡±The hell was that-¡±- Masha yells as he incorporates himself, but after seeing half of its automated cart missing, he stops and mutters something different -¡±Nevermind, Hashi. Grab onto something!¡±-


    As Hashi stands, she manages to see that one of the mercenaries was cut in half, both parts on the ground. Then, the entire automated cart is shaken once, violently, up and down with Hashi struggling to keep balance, and the dead mercenary upper body is swung towards the J¡¯avo, which still shrugs it off. Then, standing, she finally sees where they are: They have reached the throat of arcadia, the lake that connects Zunko with what was before the territory of Arcadia, the most advanced kingdom in the world, the closest definition to an utopia.


    Remembering Fleck¡¯s words, Hashi then yells to the three mercenaries that are still with them -¡±Stand up! Now it is when we must bring it down! Natural water is what damage them the most!¡±-


    Startled by hearing the woman that was quiet in this trip until now suddenly yell with such a strong voice, the mercenaries stand up and start attacking it with spells and arrows.


    -¡±Hashi!¡±- Masha yells, at which she turns to hear him -¡±open the cargo that is the closest to us. Take it and throw it into the water, it should work wonders now!¡±-


    Nodding even when Masha couldn¡¯t see her agreement, Hashi moves and uncovers said cargo, only to find a big metallic box present. Opening it, Hashi finds round, black and white objects, small, really small, enough to fit fifteen in one hand.


    Ensure your favorite authors get the support they deserve. Read this novel on the original website.At the eye of someone that doesn¡¯t know these may look like table decorations, but Hashi has seen these before, remembering her days where she served many the highest figures of the world, many of them let her pry into many incredible things, from dark secrets to some of them just want to show off, and so she has seen these before.


    Ether bombs¡­ enough to bring down a small mountain¡­


    Touching the bombs with her left hand, a couple of these start glowing up in many colors, and then picking them up with her right hand, she runs towards the back and throws the bombs over the ice. They fall into the lake, and just as the J¡¯avo rams the automated cart once more, they go off, raising water right under him, hitting it and finally delivering a hit that is strong enough to stagger him, yet not enough to make it fall down.


    Of course!, we should¡¯ve-


    -¡±Change target, fire into the water! Raise it a give the bastard a nice wash!¡±-


    Multiple spells are fired into the lake, raising multiple pillars of water that hit on its target. At this, the J¡¯avo struggles, losing mist as the water keeps washing it away and starting to sink little by little into the lake. Letting another screech resound, the amount of mist that the J¡¯avo lets out doubles just as it starts losing the shape of a horse, growing more legs and letting tentacles out of its mouth, together with white stripes appearing all over its body, all the while it starts to come out to the water that it previously started to sink into.


    With its tentacles, it fires them in a straight line and attaches them to the cart. Then, by opening again its mouth, almost shrugging off Fleck¡¯s sword, zapping and pressure he is enforcing on it, the white stripes all move towards its mouth, creating a greater sphere of light.


    At this, Hashi chants:


    Meteoro.


    Hitting it right under what would be its mouth, closing it and blowing its head off completely, freeing Fleck¡¯s sword in the process.


    At this moment, behind the crimson mithril fabric that was still covering Fleck, Hashi can make up multiple lights suddenly appearing, the fabric suddenly going wild and the crimson mithril threads shining strongly at the reaction of what is happening under it. The J¡¯avo suddenly is pushed against the ground in the middle, as if something really heavy was dropped on it. With this, the J¡¯avo lets a cry escape for the first time, something that takes Hashi by surprise.


    Then, the J¡¯avo falls into the water, multiple pillars of water hitting it in the process. At this, Fleck is flung high into the sky, still gripping hard into his sword. Catching sight of him, Hashi shatters the ice in front of her with one hit of her prosthetic arm. Then, she turns, in order to receive the air straight on her face, and by grabbing both sides of her cloak, she opens it and jumps, being raised into the sky herself, her red cloak showing off blue threads glowing strongly against the dark clouds. Then, she covers herself, allowing her to move towards Fleck, and by opening her cloak and surrounding Fleck with it, she moves straight back into the automated cart, full speed in a straight line. Making the cloak spins more than usual, Hashi barely makes it back to the automated cart, landing over the covered cages, right over Fleck.


    -¡±Its been a while since I landed over a cushion like this¡­¡±- Hashi says as she incorporates herself, putting a hand over Fleck¡¯s chest.


    Fleck just snorts at the same time as Hashi looks back, seeing how the darkness and the mist dissolves into the air, leaving behind what looks like a big rock of Ether, sinking into the lake.

 Chapter 15 - By the Campfire

    The rattling of the flames eating away the firewood broke the otherwise silence that had settled between the two. Being given a small space by putting the automated cart between them and the others, Fleck was covering himself with a mantle a bit small for him, Hashi still with her crimson cloak and hood, as they wait for their clothes and underwear that were closer to the campfire to dry out. Almost no wind was blowing in the night.


    A sneeze escapes Fleck.


    -¡±Bless you.¡±- Hashi says.


    -¡±What¡¯s with you?¡±- Fleck replies, almost muttering his words.


    -¡±Nothing¡­¡±- the rattling of the firewood continues -¡±I¡­ I¡¯m just glad to get a moment to rest.¡±-


    -¡±I see¡­ I have to agree with that. I need to get as soon as possible to New Arcadia, yet after all that, a breather is great.¡±-


    A slight snort escapes Hashi -¡±I see I¡¯m not the only one that needs to get to New Arcadia as soon as possible.¡±-


    -¡±Is that so?¡±-


    -¡±It is.¡±-


    -¡±And why is that?¡±- Fleck asks.


    Raising her eyes to the crimson sky above them, Hashi answers with a more serious tone -¡±I¡­ need to find someone. When I was a child, he¡­ he¡­¡±-


    -¡±Revenge?¡±-


    Hashi chuckles, covering her mouth with her left hand -¡±Yeah, it is revenge¡­¡±- After taking a deep breath, she adds -¡±So many nights I have seen him in my dreams, the large silhouette of his figure taking everything from me, taking me away, his huge hands that by themselves big enough to envelop my head completely¡­ I have lost the count of how many times I had to puke the next morning, shaking uncontrollably, every time I have had that nightmare¡­¡±- Hashi¡¯s words are weighted in by a small helpless tone in her voice.


    -¡±I see¡­ So it was that bad, uh? No wonder not even the Ether Storm stopped you¡­¡±- Fleck says, still fixated by the sight of the flames in the campfire, his body still chilling from the cold.


    -¡±And you?¡±- Hashi asks, changing the subject completely -¡±Why do you have to be at New Arcadia as soon as possible? Enough to prefer to go through the Ether Storm instead of waiting for it to dissipate?¡±-


    Fleck keeps silent, and behind them, the sound of small clashes between metal and wood, the bubbling of water and the whistle of a kettle can be heard.


    -¡±Come on, Fleck,¡±- Hashi says as she stands on her knees and moves towards Fleck -¡±The tough guy act, I already know that isn¡¯t you. You would¡¯ve left me to die back there at the chasm if that were the case.¡±- With these words, Hashi gets right beside Fleck and pushes against him with her right shoulder, still covered with her cloak and hood.


    At this push, Fleck was taken by surprise, falling to his left. With this movement, Fleck¡¯s sword cuts through the mantle, his legs come out and his arms become exposed.


    -¡±Ugh, I can¡¯t¡­ this mantle is just too small, I can¡¯t get a comfortable position¡±- Fleck complaints as he sits again, covering his shoulders all the way to the knees. The sword is still sticking out of the mantle.


    Hashi can only giggle at this sight, then she asks again -¡±So?¡±-


    Fleck sights, and fixating his eyes on the flames once more, he says -¡±I¡¯m¡­ interested, you could say, in the shattered parts of the Gods. I¡¯m going to New Arcadia because of the possibility of the part of a certain¡­ goddess may be there.¡±-


    -¡±Oh, wow¡±- Hashi says, incorporating herself and sitting right next to Fleck -¡±So you are a collector of some sort?¡±-


    -¡±Yeah, I think that would fit me well enough.¡±-


    -¡±A collector of parts of the Gods, uh?¡­ Gotta say it, I have met my fair share of collectors out there, but you are the first one that collects parts of the Gods. Usually people use these parts in order to achieve stronger spells, long-lasting energy sources, achieve the unthinkable, fend off the Abyss¡­ I guess you have the fervor of a true collector though. In fact, you may be the craziest one out there, facing an Ether Storm and all that¡­¡±-


    Fleck only chuckles in response.


    -¡±If so¡­ why did you jump against the J¡¯avo back there?¡±- Hashi asks.


    Fleck¡¯s shoulders jump, but he keeps silent.


    -¡±I knew it¡­ there¡¯s more isn¡¯t?¡±-


    After thinking for a moment, Fleck says -¡±Indeed.¡±- struggling to return both legs into the mantle. The flames in the campfire were dwindling and Fleck started to feel cold in both legs, a cold that somehow reached his bones.


    -¡±So?¡±-


    -¡±I¡¯ll keep it to myself. I don¡¯t like to burden others with my issues, especially women.¡±-


    Silence reigned once more between them, the crackling of the firewood little by little going away.


    Maybe that was a bit rude¡­ but well, that¡¯s ok, no need for others to know.


    Hashi¡¯s voice reach Fleck once more -¡±Are your legs freezing?¡±-


    -¡±Yeah, sadly the mantle Masha gave me is too small for me.¡±- Fleck answers as he just gave up and let both legs stretch forward, letting a sight escape.


    -¡±I can help with that.¡±- With these words, Fleck feels how his mantle is pulled up, and at the same time, a large shadow appeared in front of him. Recognizing Hashi as the shadow, he sees how she pulls open her large cloak, the shadows unable to completely hide her naked body, revealing her large, firm breasts and her curvy figure, and makes a mixture of tackling and sitting right on top of Fleck, pushing her entire body against him, embracing him with both arms. A sound of a fabric being cut resounds.


    Enjoying the story? Show your support by reading it on the official site.-¡±What are you doing?!¡±- Fleck exclaims as he puts both arms against the ground, being taken by surprise.


    -¡±Letting you my cloak.¡±-


    -¡±Then why the hell are you on top of me?¡±- Fleck asks, having taken a moment to calm and assess what happened while pushing Hashi away -¡±Besides, I have a mantle already.¡±-


    -¡±No, you don¡¯t.¡±- Hashi answers while raising her left arm, keeping the embrace with the prosthetic arm, revealing to Fleck what happened -¡±It seems that your sword turned the mantle into two hand warmers. Besides, this is a valid method of raising the heat of body that is freezing.¡±-


    Fleck stops for a moment, thinks, and letting a sight escape, he stops pushing Hashi away, saying -¡±It is true.¡±-


    Hashi giggles, letting a small -¡±Yay!¡±- escape in celebration as she resumes her embrace with both arms.


    After some moments of silence and Fleck feeling how his entire body is heating up little by little, he says -¡±What are you waiting for? I know you already saw it.¡±-


    -¡±What is this? You have such a beautiful woman pressing her entire naked body against yours and tha-¡±-


    Fleck interjects -¡±There¡¯s no person in the world who would not be taken aback by what you are seeing right now, beautiful or not. It is annoying so I make a great deal of effort to make sure no one notices it, but you now have, so it is becoming annoying that you feign not noticing and not bringing it up.¡±-


    Hashi, after a moment of thought, puts both hands on Fleck shoulders and pulls away a little. Then, with her right hand, she skims with her prosthetic hand from his shoulder toward his neck, and then into the hole that is present just right before his neck.


    -¡±It is like¡­¡±- Hashi starts saying, but Fleck completes her words saying -¡±A clay doll was just taken a chunk out of his body.¡±-


    -¡±Yeah, exactly like that¡±- Hashi says, passing her prosthetic hand within this empty space, this wide hole that covered from the front of Fleck¡¯s chest all the way to the back, going through his body, just millimeters above his heart, moving away multiple really small particles that after her hand passes, they come back into their place right away -¡±No blood, no bones, no organs¡­ I can only feel as if it were clay, or maybe a continuous skin, as if you were born like this¡­¡±- then, gasping, Hashi pulls her hand away and says -¡±Sorry, it is my first time seeing a person with a hollow.¡±-


    -¡±Indeed, there aren¡¯t that many of us¡­¡±-


    -¡±Since you said I should bring it up, I will ask¡­ Did you shattered one of the Gods?¡±-


    -¡±I did.¡±- Fleck says with a somber tone.


    After moments of silence, Hashi asks once more -¡±Is it the one you are hoping to find in New Arcadia?¡±-


    -¡±One of her parts, at least. That is why I can¡¯t just wait the Ether Storm to dissipate. That part could go back into hiding.¡±-


    After some moments of silence, Hashi finally says -¡±I understand. But then, wh-¡±-


    Without realizing, Hashi had once again stood up on her knees, and once more fell right back into Fleck. At this, she suddenly stands up on her knees once more and exclaims in a somewhat sorrowful tone, looking down -¡±Come on! It didn¡¯t budge even a little bit!¡±-


    -¡±I¡¯m a man of simple tastes¡±- Fleck says as he pushes Hashi back, making her fall on his legs, and reaching for her hood, he pulls it down -¡±and while I admit you have the body, it is just impossible for me to feel anything with a woman that every time her hood pulls down a completely different head appears.¡±- This time, a head with an angular face, big lips, green eyes, and straight blonde hair appears.


    -¡±When did you-¡±-


    -¡±Back there when we were running away from the J¡¯avo.¡±-


    After more moments of thought, Hashi giggles, and then says -¡±Still, you are making me lose confidence as a woman.¡±-


    Fleck chuckles.


    Suddenly, a voice reach them both from the other side of the automated cart -¡±Fleeeeck, Hashiiiii, you¡¯ food¡¯ re¡¯dy!¡±-


    Peeking over the cart, Selvin appears, and sees Fleck and Hashi, both still enveloped in Hashi¡¯s cloak. His expression betrays his innocence, something that Ana, Selvin¡¯s sister, understands well as when she appears beside Selvin, she lets a flustered gasp escape and covers his little brother¡¯s eyes and takes him away.


    Hashi then says -¡±We will have to explain this, don¡¯t we?¡±-


    -¡±Maybe it will be for the best, there¡¯s a long trip ahead of us still.¡±- Fleck says, and then, putting both hands to the sides of Hashi, he moves her as he adds -¡±Now, move, I have more than enough heat, our clothes should be ready by now.¡±-


    Hashi giggles, covering herself with her cloak and hood and raising her right hand to her mouth -¡±They were ready a while ago.¡±-


    At these words, Fleck freezes, but after a moment he just lets a huge sight escape.

 Chapter 16 - Chanting

    -¡±Fleck, Fleck, tell me!¡±- Selvin says as the automated cart levitates once more and turns, resuming the trip towards New Arcadia.


    Fleck turns into stone at his words while rubbing his eyes.


    I think he will continue to bother if I don¡¯t explain it to him¡­ but how I go about it?¡­ no, wait¡­


    -¡±What exactly are you talking about?¡±- Fleck asks Selvin that is beside him, pushing against him with both hands.


    -¡±Magic of cu¡¯se!¡±-


    Fleck snorts.


    I see, good that I asked then. Misunderstanding can be a tiring thing to deal with.


    -¡±There are many types of magic out there boy, what exactly do you want to know?¡±-


    While asking this question, Fleck raises his eyes to the other side of the automated cart, catching Hashi speaking already with Ana.


    Hope this misunderstanding is solved fast enough.


    -¡±A pervert!¡±- Ana yells as her face blushes like a tomato.


    Or not¡­


    Fleck sights as he sees how Hashi tries hard to contain her laughter and continues to mutter words to Ana¡¯s ears, while the other three mercenaries left continue their sleep.


    -¡±Chanting!¡±- Selvin yells to Fleck¡¯s ear.


    -¡±Whoa! What was that for?!¡±-


    -¡±So¡¯ry Fleck, yu¡¯ were spa¡¯ing out.¡±-


    -¡±Oh, I see. I guess I was.¡±- Fleck admits, then continuing -¡±So you want to learn to chant magic, uh?¡±-


    -¡±Yeah! Yu¡¯ all we¡¯re awe¡¯sme back there.¡±- Selvin exclaims -¡±I woul¡¯ lik¡¯ to be abl¡¯ to do that too!¡±-


    Fleck chuckles and says -¡±Awesome uh¡­ well,¡±- raising his head, Fleck looks around the automated cart which is moving slowly through the grassland, a small breeze hitting against it, the Ether Storm finally having settled down while the crimson sky was still over them, and the small trail of steam that the engine right under the automated cart was letting out because of how hard it was pushed in the escape against the J¡¯avo. Taking all of this in, Fleck mutters -¡±This isn¡¯t the ideal place to learn, uh? It also is quite dangerous¡­¡±-


    -¡±Uh? Then¡­ yu¡¯ will not t¡¯ach me?¡±-


    -¡±Never said that. Ideally you would want a special place where you can safely learn chanting, and Arcadia,¡±- Fleck says as he raises both arms to the sides -¡±right here where we are, isn¡¯t that place. There are a lot of things that would be attracted to any kind of magic or Ether gathering and put the person in real danger. But¡­¡±- Fleck goes into silence.


    -¡±Mi¡¯ter Fleck?¡±- Selvin says.


    Breaking Fleck¡¯s silence, Ana at the other side of the cart yells -¡±That big?!¡±- with her mouth and eyes wide open. Raising his eyes, Fleck sees how Hashi is holding both hands parallel to each other in front of Ana. There was considerable space between them, and Fleck felt that maybe that was the size of Hashi¡¯s lack of shame as he caught how Hashi started to shake because of the laughter that she couldn¡¯t contain.


    Fleck lets a big sight escape.


    What in the world is she thinking?


    Looking at Selvin, who gives back an innocent look, Fleck says -¡±Well, the first thing you need to know about chanting is that it is the same process for everyone.¡±-


    Selvin¡¯s face brightens and starts nodding, as he incorporates himself into a sitting position facing Fleck, both legs up in his seat.


    -¡±Chanting is composed of two parts. The first one is a chant, and the second one is a keyword or sentence that fires the spell.¡±-


    Selvin continues to nod vigorously.


    -¡±The keyword or sentence always it the same, no matter the situation, but the chant is different from people to people. No two or more chants that are the same.¡±-


    -¡±Wai¡¯ wai¡¯, do¡¯s that mean I can¡¯t use yours?¡±- Selvin asks.


    -¡±No at all. You can use others, in fact when you are properly learning the first thing you are encouraged to do is to use the most well-known chants, all in order to discover your affinity, but by the end, you must develop your own.¡±-


    -¡±Affinity? W¡¯ats that?¡±-


    Fleck chuckles, and then, raising his hand to his chin, he gets deep in thought. Finally, after some moment of thought, he says -¡±Do you remember back there when we were running away from the J¡¯avo, how every one of us were spelling different chants?¡±-


    Selvin nods.


    -¡±Did you notice how every chant was of different length?¡±- Fleck says as he raises both hands in parallel, shrinking and widening the gap between them a couple of times.


    Selvin¡¯s expression lightens up, his eyes go wide and eyebrows rise up as he nods with more energy.


    -¡±Even when many of us were using spells that would fall into the same type, the reason why the chants where of different sizes is that-¡±-


    -¡±The affinity?¡±- Selvin interjects.


    Raising an eyebrow, Fleck gets surprised by Selvin¡¯s deduction -¡±Well, look at you, didn¡¯t expect you to have some knack for chanting.¡±-


    Love this story? Find the genuine version on the author''s preferred platform and support their work!Selvin blushes a little, but before long a large smile appears on his face, showing his teeth.


    -¡±Indeed. The affinity between us is different, so the size of the chant changes accordingly. Those that have a poor affinity with a type of spell will need longer chants in order to be able to chant a spell. Those with good to great affinity will only a small chant to chant their spells. Some have such a great affinity-¡±-


    -¡±That they don¡¯t need to use a chant, at all.¡±- A voice from the side reach both Fleck and Selvin. Turning, Hashi is standing right there, hood up, wearing her cloak a bit more openly instead of covering herself with it as if it were curtains.


    -¡±Yeah!¡±- Selvin exclaims, excitement in his voice as he points towards Hashi -¡±Jus¡¯ lik¡¯ how you chanted a spel¡¯ with a sin¡¯le word the sam¡¯ day we fell from the waterfall!¡±-


    Raising her right hand, Hashi covers her mouth and looks to the side, saying -¡±Ye-yeah, sorry about that boy.¡±-


    -¡±No matter! It was so cool!¡±- Selvin continues to says, excitement still present in his voice.


    -¡±It is a rare ability to have, and very sought after.¡±- Fleck admits while looking at Selvin.


    -¡±Really?¡±- Selvin says.


    -¡±Yeah¡±- Hashi says, then asking -¡±Let me ask you: Between someone that takes thirty seconds to chant a spell and someone who takes one to two seconds to chant a spell, which person will fire their spell first?¡±-


    -¡±Of co¡¯rse!¡±- Selvin exclaims -¡±The se¡¯ond person wins every time!¡±-


    Hashi giggles, seeing Selvin¡¯s excitement as he learns the basics of chanting.


    -¡±That is why¡±- Fleck says -¡±They make people who are starting to learn to chant to use the most commonly known chants. To know their own affinity is the most important thing. If the affinity of a person with a type of spell and its element is poor, the spell will not fire, all the while they can keep the person safe from the backlash. If it fires, then usually it is worth to push that person into developing more in that direction. It is a push to make sure that every person that learns to chant to keep their chants as short as possible. The value of a magician goes up high into the sky the shorter his or her chants are.¡±-


    After saying all of this, Fleck looks to the side, only to see Hashi sitting beside him. He can devise Hashi¡¯s lips curling.


    -¡±He isn¡¯t here anymore.¡±-


    Fleck takes a moment to process what happened, then puts a hand to his face as a small sight escapes him.


    Hashi giggles -¡±You were enjoying yourself, weren¡¯t you? You are surprisingly ok with kids, are you sad that he stopped giving you attention?¡±-


    As Fleck incorporates himself in his seat, he says -¡±Something tells me you didn¡¯t clear the misunderstanding with his sister, at all.¡±-


    Hashi looks away from Fleck, to her right, as she says -¡±I had¡­ a little of fun with her. Look at how she looks at you right now.¡±-


    Raising his eyes, Fleck sees how Ana is looking right at him, and just as fast as Fleck met her eyes, Ana looks away and her face turns again into a tomato, just as Selvin puts both hands on her face.


    -¡±You¡¯re quite a handful.¡±-


    -¡±Relax, Fleck¡­¡±- Hashi giggles -¡±I¡¯m just enjoying myself a little after that nightmarish encounter. I did clear everything with her, beside¡­ it is not like I told her pure lies.¡±-


    At this moment, a howl can be heard at the distance. Standing, Fleck looks around but nothing can be seen yet -¡±I¡¯ll go to speak with Masha, you wake everybody up.¡±-


    Hashi nods as Fleck moves towards the driver¡¯s section, from which Masha comes out.


    -¡±Boss¡­¡±-


    -¡±Do you know what was that?¡±- Masha asks.


    -¡±Yeah, a warning. We need more hands, Masha. This travel was already tight when we had nine people, we are now down to five. If you want to survive the trip, we need more hands.¡±- Fleck says.


    After thinking for a moment, another howl breaks the silence and Masha¡¯s hesitance -¡±Very well. I can¡¯t say I agree to put the merchandise on the line, but it is true that it will not matter if we can reach New Arcadia.¡±- turning to the driver¡¯s section, he adds -¡±Pick one.¡±- as he enters back into the driver¡¯s section.


    -¡±Great. Will do.¡±- Fleck says, then adding -¡±Go as fast as the engine right now allows you to¡­¡±-


    With a wave of his hand, Masha sits back into his seat and the automated cart starts to gain some speed.


    Going to the back, Fleck knows exactly which of the slaves to pick in order to guarantee their survival, as he moves straight to her cage, removing the dark fabric on top of it.


    A large, slender, curvy thick legs, a white-haired bunny woman is revealed, her red collar gleaming with a red light.

 Chapter 17 - Streaks of Light

    Ripping through the air, the sound of thunderbolts fills everyone¡¯s ears. Kneeling and looking to the sides of the moving cart, streaks of light move across the prairie in small, straight lines, multiple times almost reaching the cart but missing it by some meters.


    Above the eyes of everyone present, there also rose a pair of bunny, white-haired ears. To Fleck¡¯s left, there was a woman, half rabbit, white-haired, brown skin, wearing a simple brown dress adjusted at her waist and a red collar at her neck.


    -¡±Can you hear it?¡±- Fleck asks.


    -¡±All the roars have been the same until now.¡±- The bunny woman replies with a soft, deep voice.


    -¡±Keep listening then. The very moment you hear one that is different, tell us.¡±-


    She just nods.


    As if they have been heard, suddenly, these streaks of light start converging into one straight line, scorching the grass at their pass. At a single sound then was made, one that Fleck and everyone besides the bunny woman¡¯s ears couldn¡¯t catch.


    -¡±Now!¡±- She yells.


    -¡±To the right, boss!¡±- Fleck yells.


    Fleck sees how Masha lowers a lever he had in front of him to the right, and a mechanical sound could be heard, making the cart vibrate from under it. The streaks of light converged into line and in one move the lunged against the right side of the cart, hitting it and pushing it way off the way, making everyone in the cargo area lose their grip and fall onto the floor. Fleck particularly is thrown off, hitting his head against one of the many things Masha is moving towards New Arcadia.


    As Masha brings the cart back to the road, Fleck can hear -¡±Are you ok?¡±-


    Looking up, he sees that the bunny woman spoke, having already incorporated herself and tending a hand to Fleck, a look of worry reflected on her otherwise inexpressive face.


    Pushing her hand aside, Fleck kneels once more and says -¡±Keep focused. The reinforced crimson mithril slab worked, yet you saw how much these beasts managed to still push us, even with their magic totally nullified. One small mistake and the cart will be either torn apart by the middle or turned over. Either option would spell our doom, since we can¡¯t outrun them.¡±-


    -¡±But-¡±- The bunny woman replies as she reaches her hand on Fleck''s forehead -¡±You¡¯re bleeding.¡±-


    Catching her hand, he replies -¡±Don¡¯t sweat the small stuff. Focus on the job you have been given, Deborah.¡±-


    At the mention of that name, her collar gleams once more with a red light. Deborah groans, taking back her hand and putting both on the ground -¡±I, I understand!¡±- she exclaims.


    With that, the red collar stops glowing with that red light, the pain she was feeling going away.


    The streaks of light start joining once more, and Deborah hears the unique roar again, at which she says -¡±Now!¡±-


    Being taken by surprise, Fleck in a hurry looks over his side of the cart to the grasslands, worried that they may once more be coming from his side, yet at the same time he looks, Hashi¡¯s voice crosses the air yelling -¡±Masha, the left!¡±-


    The slab is dropped, this time on the left side of the cart, just in time to catch up the ram of the streaks of light against the cart. The cart is again pushed way out of the road, this time even more than the first ram, enough to make Fleck vault over his side and end up outside of the cart, holding with both hands.


    Did you know this story is from Royal Road? Read the official version for free and support the author.Looking to the sides, Fleck catches how the Arcadian Cheetahs phase through the cart in their ghostly, ethereal form, and then they regain back their physical form, the crystal they have in multiple parts of their bodies starting to shine and enveloping them in a mantle of light, almost in an instant.


    As Masha brings back the cart onto the road and the cheetahs become again streaks of light, scattering around the speeding cart once more, Fleck tries to pull himself up back into the cart, but a sudden haziness makes him lose the strength in both arms.


    At this, Fleck focuses on both hands, enough to at least not fall down. At this moment, looking to his left, his eye catches how a single streak of light puts itself in position and lunges towards him. He tries to take out his sword, but a leg with a red shackle suddenly appears in front of him, hitting the streak of light head-on, burying it into the ground. Then, two delicate arms grab both of his just as Deborah¡¯s voice crosses the air yelling -¡±To the right, master!¡±-


    Just as Fleck is brought up, a slab appears in front of him, having to shift to his side under the floating cart, right above the engine, using a rotational mechanism. Putting his feet on it, Fleck takes advantage of the leg up as the streaks of light once more hit the cart, sending it spinning this time in the process and hitting a tall tower.


    Fleck opens both eyes only to see Deborah now on top of him, embracing him with both arms. She has many cuts and now is bleeding too.


    -¡±What¡­¡±- Fleck starts saying, but soon he stops and then says -¡±Thanks. Now, get off.¡±- As he incorporates himself and slightly pushes Deborah away. Making her sit in the cart against the wall that divides the cargo and the driver¡¯s section, Fleck then looks back at the grassland, seeing how the streaks of light are going around and have already started to converge.


    Hmm¡­ I think this might work¡­


    Breathing slowly in, then slowly out, Fleck then starts chanting:


    Accepting the light,


    Rejecting the light,


    Accepting love,


    Rejecting love,


    Now there¡¯s no light or love¡­


    Desplazamiento.


    Guarding this spell on his Runic Sword, he then waits for it. If he is late even for an instant, then they all might be gone. Seeing the patterns and how they almost completely converge, all the streaks open in all directions and come back into one point. Anticipating this, Fleck fires the spell at that point where they would converge, making a hole where the earth should be, making them fall into it accompanied by a strong explosion.


    Once they are in that state, they can¡¯t turn it off until they run out of Ether¡­


    Multiple howls can be heard in the distance. Raising his eyes, Fleck sees how multiple cheetahs appear over the horizon. Gripping his sword, he bits his lower lip as he prepares to engage, yet following the howls the sound of a big bell breaks the air, at which the cheetahs just contort on the floor and some even die there, as other scurry away.


    -¡±You can relax the grip on your sword, Fleck.¡±- Fleck hears from behind. Turning, he sees Masha coming to him, also bleeding -¡±We have made it to the first safe point in the safe lane of Arcadia.¡±- He says, pointing to his back at the huge tower they just crashed against, and the huge wall that extended to both sides, far into the  distance.

 Chapter 18 - Misty Bay

    Darkness has enveloped New Arcadia. The twinkle of the stars being the only companion for the large, tall man that walks down the streets in the slums, still there even after thirty years since the fall of Arcadia. When Lee looked around the street, he could only see misery personified, people that are no different from beasts that long ago delivered themselves to their passions and now no longer they can see a way out. There were also those strange and unique cases of people that were no different from statues or automatons, still frozen in time, living, reliving the life they had in Arcadia long ago.


    Yes, the years that Lee has lived here has led him to get to know many people in the slums. Not that it was hard for him to get to know people, he was so tall compared to the average Arcadian that even if one hundred people kept their distance from him and pointed at him, five to ten would usually come closer and speak to him. It was a small number if compared to the one hundred people that kept their distance, but week after week and year after year these smalls numbers would only grow into a large group of people, from Arcadians to Midgards to Chevois to Zunkois. There was one catch though:


    Most that came closer to him were scum. Not that he expected anything better, after all, between the trash he was one of the most disgusting of all.


    Walking along the street broken at multiple parts by nature, between bushes and a tall, slender tree, Lee devised his destination: A building that worked at the same time as a tavern as well as a hot spring resort. It was well known between the populace here in the slums as the location that is the best-taken care of, and even with that the sign that had its name has faded away, erasing it completely, and the painting on the walls has been falling off for a long while. Nevertheless, no one would be able to miss this location thanks to the steam that rises all day long from behind, way above the large house, and how it looks like the house is being eaten by the sea. The locals now call this place ¡°Misty Bay¡±.


    Lee crouches as he enters the Misty Bay, being greeted with the usual scenery of debauchery and merrymaking, usual for this place at this time of the night. Walking into the lit room lighted by Ether Crystals, between the usual suspects drinking like there were no tomorrow, only for tomorrow go through the same actions all over again, the usual fight there and there, and the usual unabashed display of breasts and butts of some women that have forgotten their sense of self at the mercy of alcohol, women ranging from teenagers to almost grandmas, Lee reaches the bar at the other end of the room where a man in a white and black suit is checking the bottles behind the counter.


    -¡±What a rowdy bunch you have tonight.¡±- Lee speaks, his voice drowned by a group of drunkards that out of nowhere started to sing, but still reaching the ears of the man behind the counter.


    Turning slowly, the man raises his left hand, revealing a white glove, to his mouth, and says -¡±That¡¯s the alluring call of our Lady in the Misty Bay. Will you join in the fun, sir?¡±-


    -¡±No,¡±- says Lee, waving with his large right hand -¡±I¡¯ll have a martini, dry, mixed but not stirred¡±- he adds as he brings out a tiny little card and puts it on top of the bar. As he drops it, the man can see that the card reveals the image of a clown.


    The man takes a moment to look at it, and then picks up a bell which he sounds. Moments later, the man says -¡±Please follow Penelope to your destination. May you have a pleasant stay.¡±- pointing with his open palm to behind Lee.


    Stolen from its rightful place, this narrative is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.Turning, Lee catches a woman, prim, proper, in a maid uniform, slender, chestnut hair. This woman contrasted highly with the scenery that developed around her, especially as she bows down, and then comes back up as she says -¡±Please, follow me, mister Lee.¡±-


    The first time Lee was in the Misty bay he was taken aback by how the maid that came for him seemed to know his name without him uttering it, and the consequent times that he came around, every time it was a different maid, yet they would always know his name. As time went though, that matter lost importance, not when the life of his son was at risk.


    Following Penelope, they went out of the tavern and then around the building. All the maids in this building were always like this, prim, proper, with elegant movements, even in how they walk, yet, just like with Penelope right now, they walked with such speed that even Lee with his large legs had trouble keeping up.


    Taking the entrance to the hot springs section, and after going a couple of hallways and through many doors, Lee ended up at the bay, the best room of the Misty Bay, where the hot springs and the sea melted into a one continuous body of water, the steam rising lazily into the air, the carpet of stars twinkling in the night sky, the moon painting the water a silver color.


    -¡±I have brought him here, master.¡±- Penelope says.


    What Lee thought at first was just a rock in the hot spring takes him by surprise now, as the silhouette raises above the water only to reveal that it was a man, bald, muscular, and naked. From the shadows of the hot spring, multiple women come into the silver light, of all races, slender, all naked too.


    -¡±It¡¯s been a while, Lee.¡±- the muscular man speaks with a deep, deep tone.


    -¡±Good to see you are doing as well as ever.¡±- Lee says.


    -¡±What can I say?¡±- The muscular man says, raising his arms and shoulders -¡±I¡¯m blessed with multiple of Dionysus¡¯ parts.¡±-


    A slight smile escapes Lee, especially when he sees how a couple of women have moved to the muscular man¡¯s legs are reaching between his legs. The muscular man catches their hands, stopping them, as he says -¡±I¡¯ll take care of you in a moment, right now I have to take care of my old friend right here.¡±-


    Lee just snorts.


    -¡±Is it the usual?¡±- the muscular man asks. Lee can¡¯t catch his face being hidden by the shadows of the silver light.


    -¡±Yeah¡­ my kid is falling back into the permanent dream¡­ lately, I have had a harder time waking him up, and he is sleeping longer and longer¡­¡±-


    -¡±The time for the contract, is it about to end?¡±-


    -¡±Yeah.¡±- Lee says as he takes the sand clock out of his pocket.


    -¡±I see. Well, I¡¯ll snoop around to see where I can find another part of a God.¡±-


    -¡±Thanks, Altair.¡±-


    After a brief moment of silence, Altair asks -¡±Are you sure you are ready for what¡¯s to come?¡±-


    Lee stays in silence for a moment, but then says -¡±Everything for my son¡­ he is my everything.¡±-


    -¡±I see. Then, Penelope, dear¡­¡±-


    -¡±Yes, master?¡±-


    -¡±Go and make the arrangements needed to have Lee stay here for a month.¡±-


    -¡±Yes, master.¡±-


    -¡±Also, make sure he has a good night. This old man has lost his edge from his glory days, so help him regain it. That¡¯s all.¡±-


    -¡±Yes, master. Please follow me, mister Lee.¡±- says Penelope as he exits the room through the same door the came in.


    -¡±Thanks, Altair.¡±- Says Lee as he turns and leaves the room.


    -¡±Don¡¯t mention it, old friend.¡±- Altair mutters to himself as he sinks itself back into the silver light and the silhouette of a woman can be seen sitting over at the distance.

 Chapter 19 - Respite

    Leaning against the balcony, Hashi watches over the city already submerged in the night. Multiple lights bright up the otherwise pitch dark streets, pitch dark thanks to the remnants of the Ether Storm that still have the sky dyed in a crimson color, erasing any sights of stars, the moon looking like a mirage.


    Even when she is wrapped around her crimson cloak, the cold carried by the breeze still reaches her bones, stinging especially at her right shoulder where the prosthetic is incorporated. She can¡¯t help but quiver as the smell of a mix of smoke, beers, fish, reach her nose, and the sound of clashing metal and animated voices reach her ears. The thought of being a merchant after her mission comes to an end sent shivers down her back, there¡¯s no way she could endure the cold of this night all just to sell just a little more and generate a bit more profit.


    Turning at the same time as the smell of medical supplies, alcohol, ointments and bandages, reach her nose, Hashi enters once again the room only to see Fleck crouching and applying the aid on Deborah¡¯s right leg. As Fleck touched the burnt parts and those were she lost skin, Deborah couldn¡¯t help but contort and whimper with pain.


    -¡±I have heard stories that the bunny people had really strong legs before, but I never thought they would be enough to manage to hit what basically amounts to a thunderbolt.¡±- Hashi says.


    Deborah lets another groan escape.


    -¡±Hey, Fleck, aren¡¯t you being a little bit¡­¡±- Hashi starts saying.


    -¡±Rough?¡±- Fleck asks with total calm as he continues to remove the burnt skin and apply the necessary aid.


    Deborah contorts in a wide, sudden movement, strong enough that she almost falls off the bed.


    -¡±You¡­ do you have something against her?¡±- Hashi asks.


    -¡±Masha told me he would continue to travel towards New Arcadia tomorrow, finally after being three days trapped here, but that if I wanted to come that I should fix the mess I made up with Deborah. I don¡¯t disagree, and with the Ether Storm after-effects still going on, who knows when I would be able to find another way to get there as soon as possible.¡±-


    -¡±So you have something against her, uh?¡±- Hashi concludes.


    -¡±I-¡±- Fleck starts saying, but Hashi cuts him out as she says -¡±I¡¯ll go to my room and try to get some sleep. Have fun with her alone.¡±-


    Opening the door of Fleck¡¯s room, at the same time Deborah lets a huge moan escape, turning multiple heads of the guests that were within the merchant¡¯s guild that were within the room¡¯s reach. Hashi just snorts at the timing, adjusts her hood, closes the door, and crosses the corridor to the other side, the door that is just in front of Fleck''s. Entering her own room, Hashi takes off the sandals and dives straight down to her bed, and in a matter of seconds falls asleep.


    Within her dreams, Hashi starts dreaming of her now distant past. The green prairie of her old home, the sun gently hitting on her face, her white dress and the softness of the blades of grass under her feet. She remembers the temple of eastern architecture that was against a forest, how many times she went to this temple and sang, again, and again, and again. How many people came to see her sing to the forest itself, how from it multiple fairies always came out to hear her sing, filling the place with multiple colors. She especially remembers her God that lived within the town, and how everyone got along with each other and how her parents were loved and trusted by everyone. Her dream is then filled with memories of that terrible day. After cheering up an old man that was taken deep within depression, something she did from time to time within the town confines, she remembers seeing from far away the cold gleam of the light of the sun against a scimitar in the distance, and holding said sword was the figure of a tall, large man. Pointing towards the town, out of nowhere, as if piranhas or ants were, hundreds of scoundrels fire multiple flame arrows, hitting the roof of multiple houses, the green prairie and setting everything up in flames, even the temple and the forest behind it. It was a nightmare, in the matter of minutes the entire town was razed into the ground, the windmills now up in flames, and then there he was, standing before the little shivering old her, the really tall, large man, which shadow was enough to engulf her even when he was twenty steps away from her. He came to her, he said some words to her, and with her large hand cast in shadows, she reaches for her¡­


    This story originates from Royal Road. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there.At this moment Hashi wakes up, screaming. Grabbing against the mantle of the bed, she struggles to get into a sitting position. As she sits, multiple tears come rolling off her face, falling on her legs. Still quivering from the nightmare, she bites her lower lip, closing both hands, making both her arms shake.


    Can¡¯t wait to make you disappear, Lee.


    Getting out of her room, she crosses again to Fleck¡¯s room and opens the door, only to find a naked Deborah, her face beef red, without breath, picking the mantle of the bed with barely any strength. Her right leg was bandaged.


    Hashi stops on her tracks after seeing this, and Deborah is startled by the sudden barging in, covering herself completely.


    -¡±Did¡­¡±- Hashi starts saying but falls into silence.


    Deborah catches on and what Hashi wanted to asks, and only nods.


    Hashi snorts, and rubbing both her eyes with her prosthetic arm, she asks -¡±Where is he?¡±-


    -¡±He¡­ he went out.¡±-


    -¡±Out? At this time? It hasn¡¯t been more than four hours since I left this room. It is the middle of the night. Are you sure?¡±-


    Deborah slowly nods.


    Hashi bites her lower lips again -¡±Did he told you where he was going?¡±-


    Deborah shakes her head and then says -¡±He only said that¡­ it was dull¡­ that the dullness was unbearable.¡±-


    Hashi looks at her again, and then back down, and then back at her again -¡±I can¡¯t understand him. He had his fun all this time yet it was dull?¡±-


    Deborah only shrugs, visibly hurt from Fleck¡¯s comment.


    Turning back, Hashi sights, and then says -¡±I¡¯ll go looking for him, I don¡¯t want to go back to sleep anytime soon. Be sure to lock down the door after I leave.¡±-


    Walking out of the room and closing the door, Hashi hits the reception desk to ask for Fleck, then the porter of the Merchant¡¯s Guild, at which he nods and points towards the slums, to the south, giving the directions to Hashi.


    -¡±¡­ And he just went walking on? Just like that?¡±- Hashi asks.


    -¡±Yeah. Don¡¯t know what was with him but his face, his eyes were like he wasn¡¯t really here, you know? So after hearing about the gangs down there, he just¡­ went.¡±- the porter says, making motions with his arms and the shrug by the end.


    -¡±Thanks.¡±- Hashi says as she walks back inside.


    He went all alone, uh?¡­ well, if he wants to truly ditch our ride then sure, go ahead, we leave him behind tomorrow¡­


    Biting the thumb of her prosthetic arm, she then sights and goes back out, going down the streets that Fleck took an hour ago.


    -¡±It is not like we can handle J¡¯avos as well as he can¡­¡±- Hashi mutters to herself, her voice being lost drown in the street, only stopping for a moment when the sound of a huge howl rips through the air, accompanied by the sound of a tree falling of to the ground, of a huge mirror breaking into a million pieces, and multiple houses falling down.

 Chapter 20 - Fantastic Bait

    Walking down the broken cobblestone streets, between many houses made of red bricks and arranged in a dangerous fashion, Hashi runs towards in the direction of the howl that minutes before tore the night sky. That howl and that sound like if the glass were breaking apart, she knew them really well. Her body was yelling to run away, to stay away from the zone for a J¡¯avo was roaming the land, the very land of the state that is supposed to be safe and no J¡¯avo could enter, yet another part of herself pulled her forward, tightening her jaw in the process. She needs Fleck in case that they face another J¡¯avo in their travel, all in order to reach New Arcadia and finally remove the huge shadow that has been towering herself all of her life.


    As she starts running up the hill, Hashi catches an explosion further away from the houses, and moments later a ton of people of all sizes and races come running in the opposite direction. Pulling herself to the side, Hashi extends her prosthetic to catch a woman running and pull her to herself.


    -¡±What is happening?¡±- Hashi asks.


    -¡±Let me go! Let me go!¡±- The woman screams.


    -¡±What is everyone running away from?!¡±-


    -¡±Are you blind?! Don¡¯t you see the giant J¡¯avo in the shape of a Wolf back there?!¡±-


    Just as the woman says this, a couple of people fall to the side where Hashi and that woman where making Hashi lose her grip as she took a couple of steps back. The woman takes this chance to run away.


    As Hashi turns once more towards the direction from which all these people came from, she now sees how basically the town turned into a ghost town. Feeling pressure in her gut, she puts her left hand on her belly as she clenches her right fist a couple of times, then moves her jaw a bit more.


    A sound reaches her ears from her left. Turning, Hashi catches how a wooden door opens and a small teen comes running out of the house. Carrying a jet black stick, the teen runs up the hill towards the second howl that tears through the sky.


    As the boy runs, Hashi extends her right arm and says -¡±Don¡¯t lose him.¡±-


    A small ball of light, no different from a firefly at the naked eye, comes out of Hashi¡¯s arm, sticking itself on the boy¡¯s shirt, leaving a trace of golden dust floating in the air.


    Following the trace, Hashi runs uphill. Following the golden dust, up and down the slums, through a myriad of turns and twists in this maze-like place, crossing through a couple of houses, Hashi notices how she is coming closer and closer to the source of the howls. Going down a creek, she recalls her little helper with one snap of her fingers.


    In a matter of seconds, the little firefly helper comes back to her, straight back into her arm.


    -¡±What¡¯s wrong?¡±- Hashi mutters as she raises her arm to her eye level.


    Fairies aren¡¯t scared that easily. The J¡¯avo must be quite scary.


    Running around the source of the howls, Hashi reaches to the top of the houses in the zone, only to see, just as she stands over the roof of the house, an entire body fly by her side. A cold feeling runs through her body as she hears the crash of this body back against a house, yet she doesn¡¯t turn around to see it. Looking forward, Hashi sees how multiple people come out of a sector of the slums with buildings made in the same dangerous way as the rest of the houses in the slums. Turning, they aim their basic magic weapons into the alleyway submerged in shadows, hitting what she could only guess was the J¡¯avo. Followed by these groups of people, another group appears, all pulling tightened ropes, trying to take the J¡¯avo out of the shadows into the light of the moon.


    Hashi tries to look into the people present as they fight the J¡¯avo, yet she struggles as she goes one by one trying to see if any of them was Fleck. While she is at this, white stripes light up within the shadows, and in an instant, they move to reach a single point of light. She knew what this was about as she throws herself against the roof while an energy beam comes out in a sweeping motion, from left to right, with the sound of a howl. Hitting multiple buildings, they come crashing down, taking other buildings that weren¡¯t hit by this attack with them with their fall. Many people that were pulling the J¡¯avo trip and run away in the difficult terrain of the roads that no longer had cobblestones, making it completely uneven. The energy beam goes right above Hashi, so close that Hashi grabs her hood and pulls it down, otherwise it would have been cut out.


    This story is posted elsewhere by the author. Help them out by reading the authentic version.-¡±What am I doing?¡±- Hashi mutters -¡±Almost getting killed here¡­¡±-


    I will not be able to kill him if I¡¯m dead.


    Not thinking twice, Hashi then goes down to street level. Raising her arm, she asks her little support once more -¡±Please, Amber, guide me back to the merchant¡¯s guild. Fast please, I want to put enough space between me and the J¡¯avo.¡±-


    Emerging from inside her prosthetic arm, the same little fairy raises into the air, does a couple of circles, and then starts going down the street, taking a turn to her left. Taking it with a jog, she starts going down the streets, following once more the golden dust left behind by her little helper.


    After some minutes, Hashi feels that she finally comes out of the maze, getting to the outer ring of the slums. She is still in them yet this part is pretty straightforward, plus she recognizes this is the place where she entered half an hour ago.


    Recalling her little helper with the snap of her fingers, she sees how it starts coming back, but then it stops. It wobbles a bit in the air and then goes away as fast as it can. Taken surprise by this, Hashi turns only to see another teen come out of the slums, this one carrying a spherical object emitting light.


    Hashi¡¯s gut tightens when she hears another howl, this one really close, and realizes what the teens were carrying with him: Some sort of Ether bomb. She then recalls Fleck words:


    They are attracted to high concentrations of Ether. The higher the Ether, the higher the priority it is for the J¡¯avo.


    Just as these words ring within Hashi¡¯s head, she catches the J¡¯avo coming out of the slums: A tall, large wolf. Jet black, the tip of its hair an orange color. Its body as it was made from black pearls, and within it multiple points of light, as it was reflecting the night sky, something that Hashi would¡¯ve thought was the case if the sky wasn¡¯t still crimson, the remnants of the Ether Storm still over her head.


    Covering herself with her cloak, she instantly starts gliding with the slums, being followed by the J¡¯avo which by weight each step made the earth shake a little bit. Getting to the teen that was still running, Hashi pushes him to the side and takes the Ether bomb, all without breaking her glide, and then speeds up.


    As she closes to the border of the slums, the part where it connects to other zones, a roar reaches Hashi from behind. Suddenly, her cloak unwinds itself, making Hashi fall into the ground and make a couple of turns, finally hitting a fig tree. Seeing the J¡¯avo coming closer with giant strides, she injects as much Ether as she can within the Ether bomb, reacting so fast that she didn¡¯t process that the Ether bomb was no longer emitting light before lighting up again, and then throws it with all of the strength of her right arm. Hitting the J¡¯avo squarely in the head, the Ether bomb detonates, at which Hashi covers herself with her cloak but that the force of the impact again pushes her against the fig tree, stealing her breath away, the explosion echoing miles away.


    As Hashi struggles to catch her breath, from within the smoke and dust raised the J¡¯avo comes out, wimping, without a head. Trying to get up but failing in the process, Hashi sees how white stripes start forming within the surface of the J¡¯avo¡¯s body, this time around these stripes twisting and disconnecting before joining again. A light forms within the hole were previously the head was. Hashi tries to go to the side, yet a stinging pain takes her by surprise and jolts her body, making Hashi groan and wimp.


    I can¡¯t¡­ no, no, please no¡­ at least not before I kill him¡­


    Suddenly, the J¡¯avo starts quivering. Then, shaking uncontrollably. Taking Hashi by surprise, she sees as how white flames start surrounding the J¡¯avo, and in an instant, the J¡¯avo is turning into a ball of only white flames, the J¡¯avo nowhere to be seen. Shrinking, the ball finally expands, making Hashi raise her cloak once more expecting another explosion, but this time around only a gentle wind caresses her instead.


    -¡±What are you doing?¡±- A voice asks Hashi, this voice she knows very well.


    Lowering her cloak, she sees how the dust was pushed away. Coming to her, the sound of his steps reach her ears as she sees how Fleck approaches her straight on. She sees how he was turned into a pulp, yet he was still walking, sword in its scabbard, and somehow still wearing that eye patch.


    Reaching his hand, he says with a smirk on his face -¡±You know, has anyone ever told you you know how to be a fantastic bait?¡±-

 Chapter 21 - Departures

    Walking down the main street towards the west gate of the Sarvois state, Fleck leaves behind the marketplace area carrying a large, dark fabric. The cobblestones shinning with a faint light, it is the only thing telling the Sarvos people that right now the sun is on the sky, otherwise, they wouldn¡¯t know when it is day and when it isn¡¯t, since the sky was still painted in a crimson hue.


    Fastening his footsteps, Selvin runs from the market to Fleck, reaching him as both leave behind the slight slope of that section of the main street.


    -¡±What is this street?¡±- Selvin asks.


    -¡±Good to see that you¡¯re making an effort to speak well.¡±- Fleck comments.


    -¡±Danks!¡±-


    Fleck snorts at his reply.


    -¡±So, what is with this street?¡±-


    -¡±What do you mean?¡±-


    -¡±I-ehmm¡­ aha, I mean, it¡¯s glowing.¡±-


    -¡±Aaaah, true. You never have been here before, have you?¡±-


    Selvin only shakes his head.


    -¡±This street¡­ things like this are plenty in Arcadia, you know? Before the kingdom fell, it was at the top of technological and magical development in the world. They were from decades to hundreds of years ahead of all other kingdoms. The artifacts developed by Arcadia are plenty and all of them are marvels, and even after the kingdom fell¡­¡±- Fleck makes silence, just to resume speaking after a couple of steps further -¡±well¡­ many of the artifacts from this great kingdom are still around. This street is one of them, and as I understand it, one of the lower ones at that.¡±-


    Looking to his side, Fleck is met with Selvin¡¯s wide-open gaze.


    -¡±What? Thinking of becoming an artifact salvager? Arcadia is a large and dangerous place.¡±-


    -¡±Such thing exists?¡±-


    -¡±Yeah. All of the surviving states have some sort of artifacts salvaging guilds in order to recover artifacts lost at the moment of the fall. It is the second way they can secure their survival, the first being trade, usually between Zunko and New Arcadia. It isn¡¯t as reliable as trade, but when trade dies down, it is the safest net they have to fall down upon.¡±-


    -¡±The artifacts¡­ they must have a high price, uh?¡±-


    -¡±You got it, boy. But it isn¡¯t only that. If the states relied on finding artifacts to survive, they would die long before they can safely bring one back home. So, instead of that, they offer a service and support to everyone who wants to get into Arcadia in search of artifacts, by a fee, and if a group is successful, they offer transport services to bring it back safely to the state. They have a couple of arrangements to ensure that both the state and the people salvaging artifacts are both benefited, so the people doing the salvaging will want to continue working with the state in the future.¡±-


    -¡±Uuuh¡­ What do you say, Sis? We could give it a try.¡±- Selvin says as he turns and looks back.


    Turning his head, Fleck sees Ana standing right there, biting her lower lip.


    Letting a huge sigh escape, she says -¡±I¡­ I don¡¯t know¡­¡±- as she scratches her head.


    Fleck stands there in silence as she sees her. Looking with his one eye, he notices her knees inward, her right hand grabbing her left arm, her head lowering little by little.


    It is clear what is the issue here¡­


    -¡±No matter what you decide to do¡­¡±- Fleck starts saying -¡±there will be danger wherever you go. You may die anytime, anywhere. It is natural to think in ways to avoid that, after all, you want to survive, yet if you are completely crippled by fear, you will never set down.¡±-


    Selvin nods furiously at Fleck¡¯s words. Ana only gets more dejected in the process, crouching and embracing both her legs.


    -¡±There is also multiple services that the guilds, and also other entities, offer, besides support and transport. Here in Sarvois, if things haven¡¯t changed that is, the state offers medical services too. In conjunction with a couple of companies and the health and security guilds, they try their best to keep every salvager alive.¡±-


    Raising her face from between her knees, Ana looks at Fleck and says -¡±You are trying to get rid of us, aren¡¯t you?¡±-


    -¡±Straight answer?¡±-


    -¡±Yes.¡±-


    -¡±Of course. Do you know how much of a pain would be to try and keep both of you alive in this little trip to New Arcadia, with so little people as we have right now? Be smart and stay here¡±- and looking to Selvin, he adds -¡±Both of you.¡±-


    Selvin looks at Fleck, then Ana, then back to Fleck, and then once more nods, with not as much strength as before.


    The narrative has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the infringement.Fleck only pats his head.


    Ana snorts -¡±You surely can be heartless.¡±-


    -¡±Better straight than sorry.¡±- Fleck replies back.


    Incorporating herself, Ana says -¡±What should I do to be able to live as salvager?¡±-


    Raising his arm, Fleck points to the north -¡±The salvage guilds are located at the north. There are a couple here in Sarvois, and their conditions are laid out, or should be laid out, besides the entrance of each guild. Go there, read, think what would fit best for you, and apply.¡±-


    Turning, Ana starts walking without saying anything else. Selvin stays beside Fleck, a little motionless.


    Crouching to meet the boy''s eyes, Fleck says -¡±There are a couple of books on chanting around here. If you read them and start to practice, who knows? You may be able to use magic without a chant.¡±-


    Selvin¡¯s eyes open wide -¡±Is such a thing possible?¡±-


    -¡±It is. Very few people can do it, but it is doable. These people sit at the top of the world of magic since they can fire magic as fast as they can think about it.¡±-


    Visibly excited by these words, at this moment the voice of Ana reaches both of them -¡±Selvin, what are you doing? Leave that jerk behind and come already!¡±-


    Looking back and forward, Selvin then asks -¡±If I learn silent magic, will you come by so I can show you?¡±-


    -¡±No way kid. I have many things to deal with already.¡±-


    -¡±Oh¡­ of course.¡±- Selvin is taken aback a bit by this.


    -¡±The only thing left to do is that you become such a good salvager that no matter wherever I go, I will always hear about the exploits of the legendary Selvin.¡±-


    Opening his eyes wide, Fleck can see the flicker of passion in Selvin¡¯s gaze -¡±I¡¯ll do that, exactly that!¡±-


    -¡±Selviiiiiiin!¡±- Ana¡¯s voice reaches them once more.


    Turning and starting to run towards his sister, Selvin waves back to Fleck and says -¡±You just wait! No matter wherever you go, you will hear about me!¡±-


    Fleck only snorts at the sight as Selvin reunites with Ana and then both start going up the slope towards the marketplace, before taking a left turn to the north, and vanishing from Fleck¡¯s eyes.


    And now, that is one thing less to worry about¡­ Finally.


    As he goes to the west gate, he reaches it after an hour of walking. Going between the many automated carts that are gathered there, he reaches Masha¡¯s, being the only one with a dark fabric covering it, all of the merchandise already on top of it. Hashi is sitting beside the merchandise, while Masha comes to Fleck¡¯s encounter from inside the driver''s section. Deborah is sitting beside her.


    -¡±Aaaah, yes, finally. Give me, give me.¡±- Masha says as he makes gestures with his hands to Fleck. Getting the dark fabric, he looks at it closely and says -¡±Yes, yes, such a fine quality. Fleck, you have an eye for quality, uh?¡±-


    -¡±It is all about grabbing the opportunity.¡±- Fleck replies.


    -¡±The opportunity to buy nice fabric, the opportunity to use me as bait and put me in such danger, the opportunity to have fun with a slave.¡±- Hashi says, a little grumble coming out of her words.


    In Fleck¡¯s face, a smug comes out.


    -¡±Now, now, no fights here.¡±- Masha says -¡±come Deborah, let us put the fabric together. We need to hurry and one person alone can¡¯t do it.¡±-


    Deborah nods and stands up, still red by Hashi¡¯s comment. Fleck sits beside the place Deborah was sitting, to her right, leaving her space between him and Hashi.


    -¡±Where is Selvin and Ana?¡±- Hashi asks.


    -¡±They will stay here. Give the salvagers life a try.¡±- Fleck says.


    Hashi makes silence at this, then asks -¡±You convinced them, didn¡¯t you?¡±-


    -¡±Yes.¡±-


    Another silence, then, looking at Masha, she asks -¡±Masha, didn¡¯t you say you will get more mercenaries to help up with the security?¡±- her voice now tinged with a slight touch of anger.


    -¡±Oh, that? Yeah, don¡¯t worry, that won¡¯t be needed anymore.¡±- Masha replies.


    Fleck turns to Masha and asks, just as Hashi stands up -¡±How so?¡±-


    -¡±Well, you see,¡±- Masha starts saying as he is adjusting the fabric to the right side of the cart -¡±I met with a old fart that I go way back within one of the taverns. One thing led to another, and now we will be traveling with him and another bunch of people to the next state, all together.¡±-


    Standing up, Fleck looks around once more as he asks -¡±All of these around us?¡±-


    -¡±Yeah, quite the large caravan, uh?¡±-