《Isecant》 Chapter 1 - Mi, meg selv og I. From the office to the plains. Chapter 1 - Mi, meg selv og I. From the office to the plains. Ah¡­ normality I thought. It¡¯s been eight years since I felt it last; and I still remember the last day perfectly. A blue-collar worker getting by without any dark clouds overcast in my life. I did well back then, manager of TPP or the Terran people¡¯s postal service. I was never wanting for anything materialistic, just the simple pleasures of hitting other places here and there throughout the year. I had a visit to Edindon planned for the winter; it was only eight days away... my sodding luck! I thought and let out a sigh. My world Terra was a calm world. No war, no threats, filled with all the good stuffs like: Cranky Jay¡¯s Havre Bites goodness and Fizzay Pops every flavour you can savour! Nothing like a bottle of Loichee cr¨¨me to wash your meal down with. My ramblings drew in the attention of a nearby Impie, interesting creatures those, wonderfully friendly bunch despite the ever so slightly unnerving grins and continuous bouncing on those powerful spring legs. Are you sat here thinking¡­ Impie¡¯s? This is Terra, what underground concoctions have you been dabbling with to spout nonsense out? That is the thing you see, I have not consumed anything illegal or questionable; we just happen to have new neighbours here, with a BIG thanks to the BIG collision of two thousand forty! Turns out, Rizianity, Ulam, Daism, Hanuism and Bodusm, they had the right idea praying to invisible deities. As they only went and showed themselves and then disappeared in almost the same amount of time¡­ well at least that¡¯s what it felt like but it¡¯s hard counting time when faced with incoming disaster. It was surprising though, that a fair few hundred or so gods, were far from special, I mean can you believe there was a god of sauces!? ¡°I- definitely did NOT.¡± snorted Kungle, one of the Impie¡¯s bouncing around manically near a delectably tempting, red Tammaro plant patch growing in the fields. ¡°Good to see you out and about Kungle, hope the wife is well¡± I said. A quick nod and off he goes bouncing on his merry way. The god among gods¡­ Serilia. She was the very thing the religions preached and prayed to given flesh. Creator of it all, the world we live in, the fabric of reality¡­. terribly poor health and safety executive though. Which is what is leading up to this moment in time. Her technicians fell asleep, watching the primordial CCTV. Which is circumventing calamity transcendental vision for the uneducated. Like normal cctv cameras, only instead of watching your auntie Maria¡¯s store in the neighbourhood, it¡¯s making sure nothing blows up or consumed by some notorious unnamed space monster¡­that sort of thing. Are you following so far? That means a big OOPS for us on Terra and our new friends over on Malicore, a planet adjacent to us that Serilia muttered at that moment in time repeatedly dissimilar to a broken record - ¡°Weren¡¯t supposed to know each other existed.¡± There''s something of a list that the gods agreed on, one or two trillion yesteryears ago and the most important being Heavenly rule numero Uno: They cannot join the space club until they earn the privilege to do so. Serilia herself and the other gods claim they ¡®gave their all¡¯ to fix the hot mess and in turn bring the races back from a permanent rest. ¡°Terrahuumes, my beloved and wonderful bunch, you were destined for eternal peace, I made your world soft as mallow after I spent a few million years getting over my ex-Mark and creating some rather unhospitable locales.¡± ¡°Lia, you are just not showing me enough attention, c¡¯mon Lia I cannot keep showing you how to fix the CCTV, Lia, I¡¯m sorry but this¡­ it¡¯s-like dating my mother, you need to change. Lia, you do not have to worry about Mel Belpheen from Godly Relations she¡¯s just a friend and it felt rude not to comment on her Astralgram page¡± Serilia bellowed without a pause. Obviously, I have no idea what any of this means and since the great and mighty rebuilt me starting with my ears, THEN proceeded to stitch the pieces together leaving my mouth until the end, I couldn¡¯t exactly stop and ask what any of that meant. Oh, and yes that is right you heard me say stitched, who would have thought the gods hand knitted all the races. The gods had a club in the far-FAR back days, every third Muundeh throughout the year, where they built up thousands of us at a time, eventually planting them down to go off their merry way As my vision returned to me, the walls, floors, and the ceilings, they shifted, twisted, and turned continuously. These were not meant for ¡®simpletons¡¯ viewing that¡¯s for sure. The only thing in the room not making me want to impale myself eyes first, was the curious golden tin floating mid-air. It radiated, a gentle glowing warmth as it was opening and closing. When I was functional enough to move a little, I glided over to take a better look. I could make out there appeared to be, some sort of branding on the side of it: ¡®Piripirihelios Inc ¨C suns out, buns out.¡¯ Serilia noticed my gaze and bellowed ¡°PiriPirihelios was the name of my cousin, genius designer but a meanie to be around.¡± ¡°They ate ambrosia which in normal circumstances is the most delicious food to ever exist¡­ except when it¡¯s fermented it can make even the gods drunk as a skoonk a term I heard from a planet far away called earth, that poor protostar never stood a chance getting blasted into Shreplegees III as my dear little cousin decided to play universe billiards.¡± Said Serilia. Who just never needs to pause apparently and continues her verbal barrage at me. ¡°Let me tell you, the paperwork was written with more tears than ink it took that long; anyway, the aftermath of an Omega tier giant star going supernova gave out some fantastic materials that let us make you little ones! ¡°Stardust made needles and threads were what allowed us gods to make every race across the cosmos isn¡¯t that amazing! Sure isn¡¯t! it¡¯s not easy hearing your entire existence was hand built by nut jobs I thought. ¡°Well now you are all ready to go my special little sausage, make sure to accept your newfound gift before you leave, the nice shiny sentient system 2.0¡­ new and improved! It¡¯s unavailable beyond here, so go on start selecting!¡± A blue window formed and grew in front of my eyes. It began scanning; eventually causing little boxes to automatically fill it up with stats and descriptions. Like one of those equipment screens characters in an RPG. Hmm, Name¡­
Age ¨C Are you legal? 27
Health ¨C if it drops to zero, well you won¡¯t be the hero obviously. Default HP set to 100. Auto changes depending on class selected
Class ¨C Better pick wisely, every class is different nub. Choose from the drop-down list ¨C
Level ¨C Aww, everyone starts somewhere! 1
Kaha / L¨´th ¨C Build it up, the more you have the deadlier! Or more helpful...er. Availability shown based on class chosen:
Strength ¨C Hit stuff harder, lift heavier and carry more stuff I guess. 4
Dexterity ¨C How good is your handwriting? Better keep an eye on this if you wanna make things properly to. 8
Agility ¨C Are you quick or not HURRY UP. Love what you''re reading? Discover and support the author on the platform they originally published on. 8
Vitality ¨C Try hard to dodge or block. There are monsters outside of settlements. Why are there monsters you ask? Well, finish this tutorial and read the FAQ FFS. 10
Wisdom ¨C If you were smart enough this would be higher & you, yes YOU, would have finished already. 6
Skills ¨C Woah, you want to be a more functioning member of society? Pick a starter skill like: Fishing, gathering, crafting or maybe even cooking, Buurd meat is not medium rare in the middle you know that right? Tap the box and pick from the drop-down list -
Abilities ¨C Don¡¯t like to do wizardly stuff? Then Kaha is your friend! Use your Kaha to power things in fights like: Creating so many shields, you can never feel your loves touch again, disappearing into shadows to do¡­ things. And more! Availability shown based on class chosen
Arts ¨C Up there with the meatheads? Not me! Read weird texts and bring ¡®natural¡¯ things to a fight with L¨´th. Use your inner L¨´th to make things like FIREBALLS, LIGHTINGSTORMS and healing! Availability shown based on class chosen
I looked examining myself and it was noticeable for sure; I¡¯m looking a little more athletic and packing a little less festive girth around the waist since I was rebuilt. How could this look down the line? Hovering over the screen and pressing various buttons. Hmm esquire class ¨C used swords and shields, sounds kinda cool. Something just didn¡¯t feel right though, and I began remembering everything that had led up to this point. Taking deep breaths- In¡­out¡­.in¡­out, you can do this I thought before calmly making my last almost certain last stand. ¡°I cannot accept this; I just want my normal life back¡± did the words so sternly exit my mouth and fill with me adrenaline. ¡°I just died, then was rebuilt before my own eyes and now I feel pressured into going along with the idea of a superpower, sorry, this ¡®sentient system¡¯ on me? The goddess: Serilia, was surprised by my words. I think it would seem; this is the first time one of their creations had decided to refuse a gift of the gods. ¡°Sweetie, you must, there won¡¯t be a soul on Maliterr without a serious advantage over you, and I¡¯m the divine entity over here I made you so just accept the changes, or I¡¯ll be mad! ¡°No, I retorted, I¡¯m not getting myself mixed up in this nonsense, next time we meet it will be because I¡¯ve lived a normal life and died of NATURAL causes. As if the startled turned sour appearance was not enough, her face contorted into a spectacularly terrifying and twisted grin and the prospect of going into round two was on the horizon. I¡¯m standing my ground here I screamed internally. The grin slowly faded, and she huffed. I can¡¯t imagine what a ¡®huff¡¯ would be like if it had power, instant death perhaps? I¡¯m not going to try that theory. ¡°Look your almightiness, I was never special before and I¡¯d like to keep it that way, the milestone life you know? Reaching the age of thirty with my hair still intact or retiring at the age of sixty-five with my back fully functioning, I¡¯ll stay out of trouble and if it finds me well then, we¡¯ll have a good laugh over it.¡± Racing thoughts of here comes the death blow any seconds now, thankfully it did not arrive. ¡°Fine¡­ Terrahuum¡± she said quiet and emotionless. the goddess looked at me with a surprisingly neutral look on her face, less pleasant than before. Serilia said ¡°I will send you back, here we go then¡± and transported us to a large room full of grand and expensive looking white and gold marbled pillars which in the centre lay a glowing turquoise circle upon the wall. ¡°Once you step through, you¡¯ll return be on Maliterr, the old worlds Terra and Malicore are one now, several lands have been replaced or relocated, so it will take a little time getting used to it all¡± she said in a soft and comforting voice yet still appearing without emotion. I nodded to her which ended up appearing more like a bow and she returned the action reluctantly it seemed, and I approached and began touching the circle, I at once blacked out. And when I awoke, I found myself on Maliterr the newly formed world. So anyway, There are now four regions, and we can start with¡­NORTH! ¡®Superior undaunted Dornam¡¯ or SUDS of beaches, hail to the cold mountainous northern parts. They looked quite alike elves from my childhood fantasy media: Fat, bearded, short and artless or L¨´thless as I should say before I get cancelled¡­oh! almost forgot about sharp taloned hands too. They are technologically advanced and carry a frat boy personality which is fun to be frank. To the flattened farm-like west are the more L¨´th and craft focused Hankae. They look a little like Terrahuums, though taller, slender, have odd pointy ears and in addition to being born with odd birthmarks on their left hand that supposedly signify a particular specialty in an element, though I doubt that it¡¯s true, since I typically have encountered many with a fire-like mark routinely fail to cook my meat properly. They are a little bit like that famous teenager, Lari Bopper and the Sorcerers side room of the hallowed prisoner goblet pt - I, II, III. To the East live the Three-Tribe Koan, living in a fairytale creature land with the dazzling animal-like populations and the multi-coloured forests dotted around the place. The Koanor are broad and bird-like with feathers giving natural gliding benefits they tend to be more involved in the service industry, butlers, and chefs, that sort of thing. Koanit are short dumpy, looking like giant brown Chinchillas that are notoriously durable little blighters and tend to be in the craft and exploration trade. Finally, the Koanei, are split into two subgroups Felidhan or Huundhan. The Felidhan tend to focus on frontline fighting, they¡¯re bigger, muscular, and more suited to those types of classes, whilst the Huundhan are more averse to the long-distance archer types being slenderer and hypersensitive to sight smell and sounds. I think the coolest thing about their lands, is that colossi living just outside the main city nearby. Over one hundred foot in height and probably wide I think, I was never the best with mathematics. Either way, it could fell anything that tried to pick a fight with a flick of a finger. ¡°Not now, please not now!¡± I said aloud A special gift Serilia has given all creatures regardless of their choices. A mysterious power, that activated to prevent me giving away the plot before the story has unfolded more. Every time I begin to try and mention it, a mysterious force deep within this body, guttural and raw, forces it¡¯s way to my chest, clamping itself to my lungs and my throat¡­I¡¯m joking there isn¡¯t any fun in spoiling the story before it¡¯s even began now is there! Moving on - Near enough everything is intelligent on this new world, it¡¯s also and I can¡¯t stress this enough, super plot armour convenient those colossi don¡¯t eat other living things, synthphotosis I¡¯m told it¡¯s called. They get all nutrients from the BOF that¡¯s ¡°Big orange friend¡± according to the Impies or ¡°Sun¡± according to EVERYONE ELSE. Forgive me! To the south lay the Tusen atoll¡¯s home to Scaly Scaq¡¯s and boring Huumes and of course us Terrahuums. Us two groups merged into one group because of ¡®time constraints.¡¯ There is no difference between us, but everyone got these neat little tattoos H for Huum TH for Terrahuum to tell us apart. Scaq¡­well they come in various shades: Green, dark green, light green¡­in-between greens¡­saw a red and blue together once. It¡¯s something of a joke to see Scaq and guess whether they use arts, fishing, or cooking, despite the Scaq people having broad, wide, and heavy features, they never want to be on the frontlines. ¡°Thanks for the history lesson, but can you just get this over with already? I¡¯d rather meet the maker again than listen to the SHART coming out of your yapper anymore.¡± The brave little Hankae bandit said. I look the poor bugger in the eye, a swift low kick to the shin heads his way to remind him he¡¯s in no position to talk and he yelps in pain. ¡°Oof, ya bugger!¡± the bandit replied. I bet you are struggling to understand what¡¯s happening so far, don¡¯t worry, you wouldn¡¯t be the first, and now you know how I felt when it all happened. My closest friend Wardi, tall, broad shouldered and dark haired, the ladies loved him back home from the old world, but he shied away from romances. He received the gift of the scale from goddess Librata. Enabling him to figure out the morality of one¡¯s actions, words, crimes you name it, gives a blessing or curse to the target depending on the outcome. I forgot to mention in the fine print, these godly gifts well... through trial and error we realised that they are not usually beneficial, thought that is because the activation requirements on at least half are random. Wardi¡¯s requirement; a large blood donation to power its activation, and well, the first time he used it was his almost his last. He overcomes this by keeping a barrel-o-slosh or his ¡°Bosh¡± as he likes to call it, he makes a small donation to it occasionally for when he does need to use it without causing himself any negative effect. It is never a pretty sight if you catch him midway through a refill. Rhua was another friend from the old world. She was in the marketing department at the office, so we did not see cross paths that often. But she always took the time to sit with me and Wardi during lunch breaks, even more so after we found out she was something of a game nut. Scanger ¨C God of social relations, gave her the power of the Caller. It¡¯s been seven years since she got it, and STILL, she doesn¡¯t know how to even use it. The only information it provides is: *Requires a collective to use¡¯ in addition under ¡®Cosmic Union Law act of 42069 BC, Caller will not function on weekdays or the holidays* I''m telling you, the divine entities need should be given IQ tests before given positions of power, who makes stuff like that a thing!? The first of my new friends we made from Malicore was: Horace Van Sjokkolade Edelweiss Jones. If blokes were a drink, he would probably be the most top bloke in the world. If you can think it, he can sniff it out and get it, plants, food, metals, minerals, gems. Yes, I do mean literally sniff it out, and no Horace is not a Huundhan. Ok, well he is half, but that¡¯s not the point. The god Fenreer gifted him the power of the seeker. Probably the only consistently useful gift among my group but it has on occasion gotten us into encounters. Like that one time we were hired to partake in a foraging request on the Barrow plains of Gilia and then these bandits just showed up demanding ¡°Everything we got unless you wanna taste cold steel.¡± I took that personal and punched the beard off the shortest dude there¡­ oh wait that¡¯s now! Chapter 2 - Scatty brained monologuing - the follow up So anyway, as I was saying¡­ or was it doing? It doesn¡¯t matter really all you need to know is ¡®this guy are sick¡¯ and needs purifying through my meaty fists here. I gave the guy a swift kick to the shin, and he crumbles like a sack of tatoes. As per my luck, I got into it with another idiot who after eight years still hasn¡¯t figured out how best to improve through the system. ¡°What¡¯s the point of accepting a limitless power scaling tool, if the best you can do with it is threaten me with is an enjoyable time, and conjuring a little baby fire popping out the end of a stick? For someone that is Hankae, I think it''s quite possible that you might be one of the weakest Brannmann I''ve ever had the displeasure of scrapping with¡± I said. The person replied whilst letting out a quiet sob. ¡°You¡¯re that non-sent ain¡¯t you? You don¡¯t have anything special about you at all, but here I am black and blue on the floor!¡± said the bandit, if only I hadn¡¯t heard that for the hundredth time already, I thought in my head. ¡°Well now you know! Don¡¯t judge a book by his cover, but more importantly, don¡¯t be a very naughty boy and break the law¡± I said, increasing the volume of my voice. Standing tall, left hand on my waist, and holding out my right arm fully. I pointed, using my index finger straight at the bandit and shouted, ¡°I¡¯ve got nothing to say, but doing this seems fitting!¡± Wardi having already finished off his solo performance ¡®Fantastic feats and how to slice them¡¯ he calls it. Watched my usual victory fanfare and tried to hold back a smile, how can anyone not appreciate these moves, I¡¯ve got style and substance, maybe a slight sprinkling of dramatic flair. Rhua and Horace have their own variant, the high five jive. They link arms, jig in a circle, then high five at the end. Simple AND effective what more could you want, though Rhua absolutely hates it, and her face always says, ¡®Kill me now.¡¯ Wardi will join that collective one day let¡¯s face it. ¡°Well troops, that¡¯s another group of idiots taken down by the dream team¡± he said. ¡°It¡¯s been a while¡­SINCE WE¡¯VE HAD¡­a clash with ¡­ SENTIENTS¡­and not a bunch of nasty critters¡± Horace piped. Horace the poor bugger, had a nasty bout with himself and fried his noggin whilst trying out a new ranged weapon he developed called an ¡®Unhappy Deal¡¯ a highly fermented non-lethal food-based projectile -combining his alchemy and culinary skills through the system into a munition. Unfortunately, he didn¡¯t think ¡°Maybe, I should do this thing outside¡±? and set it off indoors. He¡¯s fine overall, just unable to go through a normal conversation anymore, the rollercoaster ride of his soft speaking and operatic shouting at the peak scares away most you see. A medicae we spoke to once called it ¡°Self-inflicted Choral Tourette Implementation Condition¡± or ¡°Sic-Tic¡¯s¡± as we jokingly call it. Wardi scanned the area, just to be sure nothing else wanted to have a try at us. ¡°Rare for bandits to even be in the Gilia region¡± his face turning into a slight look of concern. ¡°Particularly when there¡¯s nothing of worth unless you focused on the darkened side of the system pathways¡± Rhua quickly followed on with. I nodded despite having no idea what I just agreed with. ¡°It¡¯s not too uncommon for a foraging request to send us this way, it¡¯s one of the few places Mushay can thrive after all. What with it being the designated burial spot virtually all the races on Maliterr use, it''s a nutrient hotspot.¡± Wardi continued saying. ¡°You could say¡­THIS PLACE¡­is for ¡­FUNGOIZ¡¯S¡± Horace interjected causing us all to laugh at that little piece of comedy gold. In the middle of all the laughing Wardi tried his best to rally us, ¡°Let¡¯s hee-hee! Pull ourselves together troops.¡± Wardi is always the first to try to keep things ticking over, but it¡¯s hard to take him serious when he¡¯s still keeled over chuckling to himself. ¡°Ok, that¡¯s enough excitement for one day.¡± Rhua said, pinching her arm snapping back to her normal self. I pulled out the request poster ¡®Collect one hundred Mushay, 10000 HFC reward ¨C Brewmeister Barry¡¯. ¡°Do we really need to gather a hundred of those things, It¡¯s usually around six maybe seven right? What is Barry up to; nobody needs this so many damn Mushay!¡± I said to my fellow party people with a sharp tone. ¡°This is the sixth time we¡¯ve done this now right? I¡¯ll make a note of it in the system journal¡± Rhua says, then begins staring off into the distance whilst her arms and hands move around as if they are independent from her body. The other two did the same for a moment. ¡°Not, bad. We¡¯ll be level 21 soon.¡± Said Wardi. ¡°HECK yeah!¡± Said Horace. I¡¯ve said it before, but that¡¯s going to be fatal for someone if it already hasn¡¯t been. Just because you can still hear what¡¯s happening around you doesn¡¯t mean anything against users with stealth focused abilities. A familiar thought that I won¡¯t say aloud because it wouldn¡¯t be the first time. I began Imitating stabbing motions mid-air aiming at Rhua¡¯s direction because she was taking forever. Wardi and Horace smile and nod in understanding, it¡¯s not the first time they¡¯ve seen this little spot of showmanship, I often perform it when it¡¯s Rhua, she picks the most convenient times for hypothetical assassination attempts. We split the gathering duty equally, and it takes us no more than few ticks to collect all one hundred Mushay. ¡°Well, looks like we¡¯re all done here, want to do the honours as usual dear?¡± Wardi says looking in my direction. ¡°Certainly hun.¡± I reply with. Now, with everything you¡¯ve read so far, you¡¯re probably thinking ¡®They¡¯re going perform some sort of spell to just teleport and save us several pages of filler dialogue right¡¯? No. The port and go network has been out of action since Colossi ¨C Bompeeoh rebelled in protest. Castle Un Nom G¨¦n¨¦rique and it¡¯s illiterate and dumb soldiers went and disconnected the Pyrocell battery powering his outdoor cooking stove, not thinking perhaps a bunch of cooking equipment bigger than most houses may NOT be a clever idea. Bompeeyo walked through a fair few kilometres of energy pylons, which formerly powered the Okaasan shard that allowed teleportation between the major cities. Protesting in a terribly angry manner that I¡¯m told ¡°could be heard all the way to Castle Schloss seventy-seven km or so apart.¡± ¡°Touch my stove again and I¡¯ll chin you AND your mum King Blau!¡± I¡¯m sure that would have been a remarkable sight, watching the poor bugger wet his pants at the thought of instant death. I know I said the colossi can end us but don¡¯t, it¡¯s usually because nobody does anything to cause upset to them in the first place it¡¯s a win-win situation! I¡¯m getting off track a little, it¡¯s just so exciting being able to tell someone stuff I get all loopy. Anyway, due to the Trades act of circa 2042; ¡®All work and repairs are to be carried out by the original party, parties or manufacturers without exception, and through the original method of delivery¡¯. Due to budget constraints, Okaasan Inc couldn¡¯t afford professional electricians who would have dug the cabling underground. Instead, they used interns from legal and race relations departments to connect the network originally, who connected the entire network above ground open to the elements, villains ¡­ and upset Colossi of course. And so, it¡¯s been out of action since forty-six. It¡¯s funny because you did not ask for that information in the slightest. Hawkestown is our destination, and we always avoid the cities, so the network story was just a bit of filler to keep you entertained in the end! Ok I¡¯m sorry about that, this next bit will be cool though. I pull out a slingshot from my carry bag, this isn¡¯t just any slingshot though¡­THIS is a G&S slingshot. An enchanted slingshot that grow¡¯s to fit more humanoid sized bullets or passengers in our case. It¡¯s much a much more fun way to traverse the new world. The slingshot embeds itself into the ground and Wardi gets into position first, followed by Horace and then Rhua. I get into my position next to Wardi, and the sling begins drawing itself back. Once it¡¯s locked onto the target destination, a voice from the device tells us to say the release command when ready. ¡°Don¡¯t you bloody play it¡± Rhua barks at the three of us angrily. Rules are rules, you can¡¯t stop a power like this, and I say ¡°ready.¡± the device counts down, ten, nine, eight. Nodding to Horace and Wardi. ¡°Without a further ado, G&S would like to welcome you on board with some in-flight entertainment sing along if you know the words¡± I said in a nasally voice. We hear the final seconds, three, two, and we¡¯re launched up high in the sky and the mega music box I pulled out and activated from my travel bag erupts into a booming symphony with instruments from a faraway land. SORAAAAAAAAAAAAAA We¡¯re hand in hand, traversing the land. On adventures we, shall goooo oh-oh! Our two worlds collide, lost in a fire, never to return. But the gods they came for us. To right a wrong and fix the unjust. So, let¡¯s show them what we, got-got-got! SORAAAAAAAAAAAAA The story¡¯s never over, there¡¯s love here like no other. United! We stand! United! We stand! You and me, my friends! ¡­I forgot to mention before take-off, G&S slingshots come sold with a matching G&S landing pad, ¡®if it ain¡¯t a G&S landing pad, you¡¯re probably already dead.¡¯ I love G&S, but I can feel you itching to get the scoop and what¡¯s going on. I set up the pad before we travelled, obviously you¡¯ve figured this out by now, right? The location was set for the roof of Barry¡¯s shop building ¡®A bottle or two LTD¡¯ if we¡¯re going to take a multi-day journey, we may as well return the fastest feasible way coming back, so why not here. Rhua, now that we have landed. Gives me a look to say, ¡®One day son, I¡¯m going to cut you. You and all your future children, then I¡¯ll go back in time, and take out your entire family tree¡¯ I¡¯m still holding off on asking her if my guess is accurate, I thought I¡¯d wait until we have an extra special occasion; one in which she specifically is less heavily armed. ¡°Let¡¯s just get these damn Mushay to Barry already.¡± Rhua says after she averts her piercing gaze back to the foraging bags Wardi has stacked up next to the storefront. ¡°Be fine where they are pet, I know you lot well¡± Short and mighty, stout yet with a cheeky vitality and mohawk capable of plucking an eye out without warning. Meet Barry ¡®Brewmeister¡¯ Bernard, ranked number one on the list of Maliterr¡¯s nuttiest bastard awards. At least to me he is, and you would think so too. Baroness Areya of Coch Manor decided it was her right to expand the Manor reach into the neighbouring lands. Most towns decided it¡¯s easier to just shut up and play along, but trying to force that on Hawkestown¡­ well let¡¯s just say Barry took it upon himself to make a point by turning into a biological wrecking ball and demolishing the entire western portion of her manor using some exceptionally potent potions he had been saving for a special occasion. You could be reading stolen content. Head to Royal Road for the genuine story. The smell beforehand was bad enough: Farm-like, with a hint of cheese that had been growing between one¡¯s toes. But you¡¯d think he would have tried cleaning the bottle out after he finished with his solo rampage. The shop stank for days; and he did too. ¡°Hiya Barry, how are you doing mate? Wardi says with professional yet casual undertones in his voice. ¡°Aye, pretty good thanks for asking pet, you¡¯re back in one piece so I can assume you¡¯re doing alreet ya self mun heh-heh¡± Barry chuckles to himself. ¡°I¡¯m glad ya here, head down to the basement though¡­ there¡¯s a little summit ya need hearing. and it ain¡¯t pretty.¡± he says still smiling the entire time. See! I said he was a nutter didn¡¯t I. ¡°I hav-ta admit, I hav-given yaz a bit of a lengthy and pointless request, don¡¯t get me wrong, it¡¯s not like I wanted to, but something¡¯s been amiss for a while up on them plains, and I had a suspicion when Mushay started growing more frequently than they should be. Wardi normally keeps a calm and cool persona, but even he is showing signs of frustration, the others meanwhile are fully engaged, mostly out of fear, me on the other hand, know all the tricks to keep little stouty cool as ice. Barry continues his relentless speech ¡°You know these Fungoiz only release reproductive spores when the root meets a particular stone called Vechisia in the ground.¡± Horace of course, knows that. Since he¡¯s done a little training under me but the rest of you probably aren¡¯t familiar. ¡°This stuff is rare, kinda thing we av big clashes over when it¡¯s found¡­Mushay shouldn¡¯t be popping up as fast they are ya hear me?¡± And as ya all know, most of the materials or mats as we call em these days, that adventurers like yourselves go out seeking from: treasure chests, gathering or through having a fight with the local wildlife. They¡¯re one time use for specific disciplines¡­ but how often do you come across a mat, which has purpose across multiple disciplines? ¡°When you mention it¡­¡± Rhua chimes in a hurrying manner before the word vomit continues. ¡°Moithril sort of can do this but only within a smithing and construction discipline, but Vechisia, that stuff makes moithril look tame¡± said Barry, who quickly kept talking slowly putting all but Horace towards naptime. ¡°As I said earlier, the stuff triggers the spores to be release, that¡¯s been the info known globally, but you see, I¡¯ve learned through my own little experimentation there¡¯s a hell of a lot more to this stuff¡­ you remember my little day trip to Castle Coch?¡± ¡°WHO DOESN¡¯T!¡± Horace sings aloud like a one-man choir¡± Barry laughs for a moment or two then returns to word raiding. ¡°Most-ohya know in the starting weeks leading up to the big events, enhancing potions are pretty in demand and sell fast.¡± ¡°It¡¯s the difference tween life and death in long drawn-oot fights with tough enemies, and you can¡¯t just take them freely, tis why all the alchemists operate one per person house rules, tha ingredients to overcome limits, cause short term toxicity and tis also why tha system will pop up an warn users if you attempt to drink more than one.¡± Barry continued barraging us with words frying our brains. Never warns me though! Thinking aloud through my actions as I fake wiping a tear from my eyes, pretending to be suffering from a severe lack of love. ¡°I had been working on a new debuff potion, like our Horace¡¯s non-lethal weaponry¡± Barry said. ¡°Figured there¡¯s definitely a market fa something mad like this, so I experimented by making a non-lethal itching potion as me first project, but low and behold Horace had mixed up my ingredient draws and instead I managed to make something unfamiliar, it shifted colours of its own accord.¡± Barry said with a cheeky grin on his face finishing his talking. We all suddenly had the same thought of ¡°shifting colours¡±!? looking at each other with concern. ¡°Aye¡± Barry said, always returning to a distinctive iridescent Amber colour though¡± Barry said whilst used his ascertain art to identify what he added and conjured the list in the air for us all to see: *One vial of Draig blood, heated to 500c, stirred not shaken. Three elder ent lumber, taken before autumnal senescence. Three pairs of LocoLoco feet sourced ethically. Nanna¡¯s twinned needles ¨C used with love. Seven Autom hearts maintained at -44c. Vechisia stone. * Rhua couldn¡¯t help but speak out ¡°Hey, each of those are the primary ingredient for the highest possible potions in their class, right? Draig blood for strength, Ent lumbers for wisdom, LocoLoco feet for agility, twin needles for dexterity and Autom Hearts for Vitality¡± Barry replied, ¡°That they are.¡± ¡°Then what did the Vechisia do exactly? Rhua replied with. ¡°Something I daren¡¯t think would be possible¡± he said to her, his tone turning more worrying by the second. ¡°It¡¯s what allowed me to do what I did with Coch manor ¡­ no way could I have, without taking super hard to make potions like that¡­the Vechisia stone seemed to function as an adaptogen.¡± ¡°Adapo-what?¡± Wardi said with his raised brow. ¡°It¡¯s summat tha I thought up, it responds to what you need.¡± He said to us continuing his repeated verbal attacks. ¡°It amplified the intended effects each ingredient specialises in - I should be dead by all counts, but! The amplification sent me whole being into overdrive! Tore the front gate off with my bare hands! And then the idea popped into my head¡­run fast, then curl into a ball aiming at the walls and I found myself ricochet-ing around completely unharmed!¡± Barry¡¯s smile was so menacing after saying that, he was beyond proud to kick Areya down a peg or two. Edge Lord is the only sentient known to have even done any damage to that damn manor and he was fully enhanced when he struck it, I thought to myself. ¡°Queen Areya used her infamous dead shot ability when I stopped to appreciate the work I did. Her conjured arrow was bigger and wider than me, and I watched the whole thing in slow motion as the speed effects really kicked in.¡± Barry stretched upwards before continuing. ¡°The arrow hit me between the eyes and there wasn¡¯t a mark on me.¡± ¡°Ok well this sounds like it could be the recipe for disaster if anyone thinks to use in a more nefarious way.¡± I said aloud, trying to sound comical as I do. But having heard what I just heard, I don¡¯t think I can hide it at all. Remember when I just wanted normality in my life? I sighed out my thought. ¡°Well, this is definitely not how I saw my day unfolding¡± Wardi says holding his hand over his eyes. ¡°Something or someone has been stock piling Vechisia stones on the plains Barry says. ¡°Whatever the intentions, it needs resolving, so I¡¯ll set out a request, with a heck of a big reward for finishing it.¡± ¡°No way¡± Wardi interjected. ¡°I¡¯m not having any part of this one, and neither will the rest of you. We¡¯re good at what we do, small requests here and there, maybe even something related to a dungeon if we feel up to or partaking in being a runner for a chasm if one pops. But from what im hearing here, is we could be getting ourselves thrown into a murky bottomless pit.¡± He said concerned for us. ¡°Calm down Wardi, you¡¯re getting worked up and that¡¯s not like you, if you start freaking out then what the hell are we going to do you¡¯re the glue of the group!¡± said Rhua. ¡°She¡¯s half right, you¡¯re not the glue, more like the fire that¡¯s melting it this evening, it¡¯s not like you to be this worked up.¡± I said to him, placing my hand on his shoulder firmly. ¡°Look, this is clearly bothering you, so how about this, if we can gather more to this already fun sized party, we perk and enhance ourselves, gear up better than we ever intended to, then maybe, we can consider taking on some requests that we normally wouldn¡¯t dare to?¡± I looked at him smiling before continuing, though he still had his hands hiding his face. ¡°Besides, we¡¯ve always talked about trying a Chasm without being a runner, the stuff we could obtain would boost us bigtime, we may even get ourselves boosted up the sentient rankings or however that stuff works.¡± I said I¡¯m lying of course, it¡¯s just easier to play dumb with sort of thing I¡¯m not on it, I¡¯m probably last! It''s been a short while since I explained about how things work around these parts¡­ oops! Well, it¡¯s time for further introductions me thinks. As I try to begin speaking about the system, an overwhelming force takes over my body. Unlike the speech curse, this one feels different. I find myself stumbling backwards, losing all feeling and sense of control as I¡¯m rushed by my party members who are trying to aid me in my sudden seizure, my vision splitting in two. My friends are aiding me in my left field of vision. The right? I see Serilia and the major gods, there are minor ones in the chamber, so near, yet so far at the same time. Yet I hear everything¡­I¡¯ve not once encountered anything like this, nor have I ever heard whispers or talk of such a thing either. At the round table ¨C The spectator relished. There is a bright room, filled with crystals and figures. The seven of dawn, gathered around a large dark wooden table. The sermon of the dawn is singing aloud: ¡°Serilia, almighty and most graceful of all. First of the gods and head of the table. Eria the logic, second of the gods. She giveth her lifeblood for the races to conjure. Iwan the Gaia, third of the gods. He giveth his lifeblood for the crops to grow. Chanag the Aqua, fourth of the gods. She giveth her lifeblood to let water flow. Aricaer the Ignis, fifth of the gods. He giveth his lifeblood to govern the forge. Nellah the Gale, sixth of the gods. She giveth her lifeblood to move the skies. Tyrokun the keeper, seventh of the gods. He giveth his lifeblood to maintain the writings. The figures in the room cry out in union, the sermon has been the same since the beginning, of all that has, was and ever will be. ¡°You must now witness your return in motion youngling¡± A voice in my mind spoke softly. ¡°The incident should not have occurred! boomed Serilia causing the attendees much hurt as they dropped to the floor by her voice alone. ¡°A failure on the CCTV has led to the cardinal rule breaking!¡± In an instant, all including the fellow gods at the table fell to their knees in agony as she let out a flash of pure white light from her eyes. A young god in training or G.I.T as the dawn have named them so, piped up, ¡°Almighty one, please, forgive me, it was but a moment that I did not have attention, my utmost attention to the happening!¡± He sobbed aloud. Another white flash and the room filled with cries, cries that were shaking the realm in pain. ¡°Silence you WORTHLESS CRETIN.¡± ¡°DO NOT SPEAK, I SHALL SAY WHEN YOU SPEAK.¡± She barked at the youngling god. The room is becoming further away suddenly, and my vision turns black. Suddenly I am there again, running and looking back at scenes of the seven, who are unleashing vicious attacks to the attendees. ¡°I don¡¯t understand!¡± ¡°You must keep watching youngling.¡± The voice in my head says and more scenes upon scenes appear, they must be occurring through different meetings I thought. I hear the speaking again eventually, yet it seems it is a later date and time. There are even more attendees in this meeting. I see one that seems to be smiling¡­ a smile that is piercing me and sending chills. Serilia began speaking again ¡°Maliterr has formed, and the peoples will be reborn anew, let what happened be a lesson to the importance of the CCTV, I do not wish for another occasion like it to ever happen again.¡± she says with a cold tone, one that says, ¡°If you fail me death will be swift.¡± Her face lights up literally, the room in turn, suddenly feels on a high. ¡°One of her many powers the voice whispers to me, do not fall for it.¡± The figure, smiling with a dash of danger proceeds forward ¡°Serilia your divine almightiness, wouldn¡¯t it be great to add unfamiliar ideas in the mix? I had an idea for a feature, a rather bold one in fact. perhaps you would like to hear about it?¡± leaving no time for a response and simply continued to talk to her. ¡°I had this idea, in which we generate little areas. Randomly in their formations, some are to be filled with slayable monsters, maybe others require carrying out a set of duties to clear, perhaps one of these areas, contains a lone foe, one that is unlike any other, requiring a combined effort with many users all partaking to successfully obtain a reward.¡± they continued speaking ¡°Of course, we could automate when and where such a thing could happen for, we are, the masters of all are we not?¡± the figure said. ¡°Well, I don¡¯t see why we can¡¯t. but don¡¯t make anything too over the top Phahl, GR is furious still over the state of the world merger, never in all their existence has something so obscene occurred.¡± Bellowed Serilia Phahl responded ¡°Of course divine one, I would never dare to include something that would be fatal.¡± Serilia replied to him after a short pause ¡°Well, done, Phahl, for a G.I.T consider me impressed by such a fine display of forward thinking, I¡¯ll allow this, but if I find its causing issues for my precious little ones when they¡¯re brought back, I¡¯ll take it right away.¡± ¡°We mere younglings, sing your praise dear Serilia¡± Phahl replied. He quickly vanishes to a dark room with nothing of note around except a small stone stage which he stood upon. A dim candle begam illuminating his area. I am in the body of a robed figure, surrounded by others like me and bowing in his presence. ¡°Phahl returns unto us, glory be to Kaiser, glory be to KAISER!¡± They chant. ¡°Let the games begin comrades! he shouts to them. ¡°Go forth, let the darkness entwine you fate denier¡± the voice spoke. Chapter 3 – Never going through that again. Slowly regaining my senses as the voice fades. I found myself awakening in ¡®The meat and veg.¡¯ A roadside tavern nestled between Hawkestown and Et-Navn town. ¡°He¡¯s finally¡­ BACK TO US¡± Horace says, terrifying all the patrons except Rhua and Wardi. ¡°Jeez man, what the hell happened?¡± Wardi says grabbing a bottle of checkered armour ale. ¡°This is why you¡¯re not the glue Wardi, this stuff is three hundred HFC a bottle and I¡¯ve had piss that tastes better, zing-zing-ZINGERONI!¡± I shouted at him. ¡°This is serious!¡± Rhua¡¯s face was glowing red, and she wanted to lash out at me. ¡°You just stood there, after you did the usual mimicry pretending your trying to say something important, then all of sudden you stopped, looked right through us and said something that sounded like ¡®Phahl¡¯ and dropped to the floor faster than any of us could react, Barry tried to aid you but something blocked any attempts at aid.¡± Rhua¡¯s verbal assault crushed my soul, and Horace patted my back to cheer me up from sulking. ¡°Seemed it was just the four of us in the potions shop affected by it- I carried you from there to the tavern, and we said you got carried away trying to enhance yourself, but you had a potion too many at Barry¡¯s.¡± ¡°Easy enough cover story for transporting of a body out of town and not getting the police on our tail.¡± Wardi said smiling confidently. ¡°I¡¯m sorry for the worry¡± I say with sincerity. ¡°I have no idea what it is was, I feel my normal self, if there¡¯s anything wrong with me like that again I will say something.¡± I said to the others. ¡°WE¡­ know you will man¡± Horace pipes up, this time the Tavern owner Spaff Tap heard Horace¡¯s angelic wailing and stormed over to us. ¡°Oh, sugar hunny eyes tee, get those shields up this is going to be a moist one¡± Rhua says. ¡°Listen ya tarts! Snapped Spaff, showering us with spit as he talks. ¡°If HE duz tha again, aye will smash im ard enuf tha Dornam wull Fockun ere it! Horace looked down at the floor, sulking, and in need of a warm hug. Wardi quickly jumped in after seeing his party member looking as if he will start crying and apologises. ¡°No need to threaten him Spaff, he has a disability, and tried going on welfare, but the job office said he was not fit for work, ¡®An oral disability is not enough for a claim these days¡¯ they said, and who wants to employ someone that bursts into an angelic chorus every other line?¡± The barkeep was flustered at Wardi¡¯s politically correct beatdown and it looked like he began to sweat a little from the societal pressure. ¡°Aye woll, luk, am sorreh, biznes been shet lately, am on tha brunk of branchin off inteh less moral, moar dangerus thangs, no ard feels Horace, Woll sort yaz a bag of svine scratchers on tha hus¡± Horace looking a bit more positive on life, nods and walks over to the front of the bar with Spaff. Wardi keeps his ears on us, but his eyes on Horace, on the off chance Spaff was trying to secretly give him a sneaky beatdown. ¡°You can¡¯t go scaring us like that again anytime soon, preferably never if possible¡± I replied to Wardi ¡°Noted bossman.¡± I say trying to bring my own normality back into play and getting things a bit more upbeat. ¡°Cmon, let¡¯s finish up and return to action, what¡¯s on the agenda, did you discuss anything whilst I was out in a state of probably alive?¡± ¡°Nothing really¡± Wardi says, melting into the tavern banquette. If I mentioned that I don¡¯t think the seats have had any basic cleaning ever, noticing all that lovely dirt built up; it had many different coloured layers to it. I imagine he would melt the thing instead if he paid enough attention. It¡¯s nice to be a good friend sometimes hee-hee! I thought. ¡°You have been the priority man, so we were all focused on whatever the heck was happening, but not far from the tavern, I got a call from Lucy however on the Shellnet, saying we should meet her over in Et-Navn town. ¡°She said Von Manor and something about weird screams coming from the inside? I wasn¡¯t paying much attention to be quite honest¡± said Wardi. ¡°I¡¯ll take the lead¡± Rhua says, and heads to the door. ¡°Take care¡± she says to Spaff waving as she left. Wardi gave a small wave of the hand whilst I spoke on behalf of myself and Horace. ¡°In a bit Bruskin.¡± I say tapping my chest with my fist then pointing a finger at Spaff who waves back despite having a look of audible confusion. We decided to reach our destination taking the Hasseln?tt wood route, the detour wouldn¡¯t affect the journey time overall and it¡¯s safer with Colossi ¨C Vivyoly. The four of us have a good rapport with her after the allotment scandal in forty-three. Turns out someone tried selling her Implom seeds which grow into highly explosive plants. Horace spotted them without having to double take and warned her they¡¯ll destroy the forest if she doesn¡¯t get rid of them as soon as possible. It¡¯s been a while since we¡¯ve spoken, so it would be nice to walk and talk. Besides, she¡¯s got a soft spot for Horace, loveable little sausage that he is, so it will probably work in our favour if we can keep it that way. Vivyoly; unlike most Colossi, enjoys talking with the various races. Rhua called out her name ¡°Vivyoly! Yoo-hoo!¡± The winds suddenly picked up as she quickly sped in our direction. Horace runs or well¡­ at least tries to, what can you do against gale force winds really? Vivyoly lands in front of us and her gardening tools drop to the floor. A scythe narrowly misses Horace, and the rest of the tools suddenly embed themselves inches away from us. ¡°Viv! Your tools, your TOOLS! Piped Horace. Viv looks in horror as she realises, we just watched our life flash before our eyes and lets out the most harrowing sorry, and her tears come bursting out onto the floor. ¡°I¡¯m grateful for the flash shower, it cleared my nose right out and I could smell the Skumpur blood undertones, with a base note of vinella emanating from my pits.¡± I whispered subtly to Rhua. ¡°Now that you mention it, I do feel more refreshed myself, it¡¯s been days of work, more work and fighting, let¡¯s clean up properly in Et-Navn.¡± She replied. While Viv focused on creating a makeshift paddling pool for us. A certain someone couldn¡¯t contain himself any longer. VIV! It¡¯s so good to SEE YOU, let me wipe away those TEARS Horace belts out, seemingly louder than normal. Viv noticing Horace is quickly closing in on her, scoops him up in one hand and nuzzles him into her fuzzy cheeks. The polin she had built up from collecting, essentially dyed the entirety of Horace¡¯s body, no longer recognisable for his faded red Boofal leather attire or his makeshift Pixaye glass bowl helmet he is adamant offers an increase to defence. It was a lilac colour, notable from the Laven plants that grow here in Hasseln?tt. It¡¯s notable for its sedative inducing affects after it¡¯s heated, something of a staple for those with a focus on sneaking and debilitating effects on enemies. She pulled him away from her face and he rolled around a little trying to dust himself off. Her eyes totally focused on Horace, she said she was doing well now that he was here and asked how we were. Though it was clear she just wanted to speak to him specifically. ¡°We¡¯re doing fine Viv, you¡¯re looking well, how have things been in the wood lately? Said Wardi. ¡°Calm, quiet and bountiful hee-hee! She boldly bellows blowing us back a little in her excitement. ¡°I¡¯m glad to see my little Horacio is being looked after, that fills me endless joy, come now, hop on I¡¯ll take you through the woods it¡¯ll be faster than walking.¡± We would have rejected the offer, however; the hand that scooped us into a tool bag, scored a fatal blow to the idea and we weren¡¯t up for a rebellion right now. Horace being the chosen one, had a special seat upon her head. Viv stomped her way through the forest a little before we were travelling at high speed through the woods hovering low above the floor. The story has been illicitly taken; should you find it on Amazon, report the infringement. Horace being much closer to her than anyone else took the initiative to ask her a question or two. ¡°VIV, have you noticed anything changing IN THE WINDS lately? Horace piped. A concerned ¡°hmm¡± came out of her, the vibrations so strong that if she tried to hide her true thought, we could probably detect it without the need for an ability. ¡°I¡¯m aware Dornam have been trying to expand, by digging underground.¡± - ¡°Eyronbruu, sent me a message saying he gave them fair warning not to build near his cavern, you know what it¡¯s like dealing with us, nobody ever says no, they haven¡¯t stopped digging around his caverns though¡­wait¡± she said pausing and vibrating our brains to pieces. ¡°There was also something that happened, maybe fifteen days ago.¡± She paused in the air before continuing talking and flying. ¡°It felt like an energy manifested, lasting mere seconds then completely vanished.¡± ¨C ¡°I¡¯m certain I could hear cries in the wind when it happened, although I just don¡¯t know for sure if what happened was maybe just my imagination, or if was just me losing my marbles from not eating, I tend to get disoriented when I haven¡¯t eaten as you know hee-hee!¡± She said as her and Horace continued talking between themselves about what happened recently and in general. The ride may have been fast, so was our last meal coming back up to exit. She picked us one by one out of the tool bag and placed us at the edge of the woods. Horace earned himself a large wet smooch on his entire body which I¡¯m sure was well received, then Viv waved and said ¡°I picked up the smell of some recently bloomed Laven, it¡¯s time to get my purple thumb skills In action, bye friends, Bye Horacio~!¡± she winked at him then proceeded to stomp her way back through the forest. Horace looking exceptionally pleased with himself told us that he had asked Viv if she knew about the Vechesia stone, but she knew as much as the rest of us. ¡°Well can you say that without smiling like you just found out some really critical information Horace you dohnoot¡± Rhua said with a harsh tone. ¡°I am SO happy after seeing my old friend VIVYOLY, my buzz will not be UNBUZZED TODAY!¡± said Horace. I choose not to say anything this time on account that I can see the vein bulging in Rhua¡¯s forehead, and I¡¯ve had enough excitement for now. Et-Navn is just a stone throw away; the town is famous for the Von family. They originally were in the western land of Somervun back on Terra and had been a well-established and respected entity within the catering industry. They fell on challenging times after the youngest daughter Skankerella Von had an affair with adult book star Kong Celerie and his wife Jenna Ricka, went on a media rampage defaming the family for being a bunch of harlots. ¡®She just fell onto him!¡¯ and ¡®Affair at first sight¡¯ the headline news outlets went with. When the rebuild occurred, their notable distinctive manor house was for reasons nobody really knows, strangely placed adjacent to the town. Et-Navn was notable for its distinctive black wooden housing, which was a stark contrast to the bleached sand-coloured bricks of the manor house. Sort of like the yong-yung symbol you see in the eastern lands you may or may not see later who knows, and who¡¯s talking now anyway!? The Hasseln?tt route exits close to Et-Navn¡¯s eastern gate entrance. Wardi is fond of this place, Barry¡¯s cousin Larry is the head of the Scrollitorium shop. Hopefully, I have the opportunity this time to explain how the world and system works a little more, this time without going into a forced dream sequence, because nobody got time for that. I thought. Scrolls are hard to produce and cost a fortune to buy outright. The mats to make them only come from chasm, and everyone wants that sort of stuff. So many users typically end up working via contracts for new arts on a monthly fee basis, with: MONEY or mean-old-non-negotiating-egotistical-yowlers for short. Let me break it down for you: Scroll of lightning tempest, only 800000 HFC Light up your foes today! This is Norman. He is an art user but does not have that sort of coin. He has just noticed a fast method of obtaining the powerful new art advertised in the store window. Dave from MONEY offers to pay for said scroll plus a fixed rate fee of 10% APR. Norman knows he could just adventure and prove his worth to a teacher for lessons in higher ranking arts. Dave say¡¯s to him ¡°Look mate, it¡¯s an unmissable deal I can offer you and only YOU exclusively Norman¡± convincing him to sign up. Norman believes he can make it all back quickly, despite not being able to afford the scroll. This plan did not pan out. MONEY gives him a 30-day period to pay back effective immediately because he¡¯s failed on two repayment months. The wife is not happy, and the kids keep saying the name ¡°Dave¡± instead of ¡°Daddy.¡± Norman pleads with a suckstomer service agent but due to the signed contract; MONEY has sent in the goon squad for repossession purposes. They take the house, cart, and the wife has run off with the kids in Dave¡¯s locomotion mode of transport to the Samahab¡¯s atoll. Now Norman is on a court order to payback all the accrued debt and has currently repaid 600000 HFC / 960000 HFC. If you hadn¡¯t realised by now, Norman is a real guy, and the total repayments increased by the two months he failed to pay. I think I¡¯m currently two-thirds on the scoreboards without something weird happening during an explanation. Can I make it ?!? Stay tuned to find out. I laughed in my head. We approach the Scrollitorium and notice the lights are off. ¡°Strange for the light to be off don¡¯t you think¡± Rhua said. ¡°Let¡¯s work together, regardless of the weather, high or low we go, it¡¯s on with the show little lambs, so expect the unexpected¡± Wardi says whilst he maintains a look of smouldering concentration staring off into the distance. He¡¯s positioned his legs to look like an L shape, whilst holding his rapier behind his back and clenching the left hand into a fist pressing against his hip. ¡°HVA I HELVETE! What are you talking about you fool?¡± Rhua barked at Wardi who sulks, looks away, kicking the floor in that way children do to act all cute or innocent. ¡°It¡¯s a line FROM those books he¡¯s been reading. You know, THE BRAVE LITTLE LAMBS¡± Horace piped up. ¡°Oh, THOSE books, aren¡¯t they for kids Wardi? Don¡¯t you want to read something a bit more mature like: The adventures of Chuckles Smelly-Bins.¡± Rhua joked a rare thing to experience with her. Wardi scoffed and replied, ¡°Just because it¡¯s a kid¡¯s book doesn¡¯t mean it¡¯s not worth a read.¡± Whilst they were bickering, I was trying desperately to work out the pose Wardi had struck. Think I remembered a spiky haired soldier with a big sword that used to do that at the end of every fight¡­ Ah well it¡¯s not that important. Whilst the grand bickering was still on-going, I waved to Horace and he nodded following me to the door, which was of course locked, but the gods love a trier. We walked around the back of the shop, and I tried to open the garden door, ¡°Damn, it¡¯s locked¡± I said to Horace. The energy, we spent on that short perilous journey left us unharmed; but annoyed. I asked Horace if he may be able to use his gift to find us something to get in, a key perhaps. ¡°My time to SHINE¡± Horace piped up, then proceeded to take off his helmet. As he began to use his gift, eight symbols appeared behind him activating his gift. All the gifts appeared the same way, the symbols are related to their god the gift came from is what I¡¯ve learned over time. Horace sniffs the air and suddenly bolts off. With any luck he¡¯ll come back with a key or a scroll that can get us inside. Wardi and Rhua have come back to me during the time Horace went off looking. ¡°Sorry about that, things got a little heated back there¡± Wardi said with sad smile. ¡°Take no notice of me I shouldn¡¯t let my emotions get the better of me¡± Rhua said with sincerity. ¡°Not sure why you¡¯re apologising we didn¡¯t hear much after round one kicked off ha, Horace should be back soon though so let¡¯s compose ourselves never know what¡¯s going to happen with that gift of his¡± I said. We passed time playing Ele-Manna-Go. Easy enough to play if you have someone capable of entry level combat or healing spells. With the players looking away, the mage begins creating a small elemental orb whilst chanting Ele-Manna-Go. At the word Go, the players must call out what the element was. The mage can choose to throw the orb at the loser/s if they desire or save it for the next round/s to increase the impact. Fun for the whole family! It is great to play with new mages, they have almost no spells at the start of their journey and good targets for a quick coin build up. It was around ten minutes before the rumblings of an incoming Horace was audible in the distance. He quickly darted into sight, leaping over the various neighbouring fences before eventually making it back to the backyard of the shop. Only Wardi noticed that Horace, had returned to us with a large shimmering stone like object, having noticed what he had; quickly dived into the alleyway besides the shop. Horace without warning, proceeded to launch the object which activated a defence mechanism as it hit one of the windows. The object proceeded to multiply and came back at us with double the speed, hitting us all at the same time just in different critical zones. I took a blast to the gut, Horace took a clean hit to the face, whilst Rhua had her leg¡¯s taken out. ¡°WE HAVE DIED¡± piped Horace. ¡°Well, that is a new one, never expected him to find a clone-nite stone out this way wonder where he got it from? That¡¯ll make some good items if we can find a high-ranking Jeweller¡± Wardi said with a devilish grin. ¡°I think I can see my great-great grandma; she¡¯s telling me, go into the light¡± Wardi interrupted my goodbye by throwing soother salves at us recovering a bit of my beaten down gut. ¡°That wasn¡¯t going to kill you ¡­just hurt ¡­a lot¡­¡± he said with a twisted aura about his person. ¡°I¡¯m sorry everyone I wish this gift would be more USEFUL¡± Horace piped quietly, Rhua comforted Horace, placing her hand on his head and rubbing his hair. If actions could speak, she said it¡¯s ok, you can¡¯t control it. And initiated the high five jive to bright him up begrudgingly. Chapter 4 - Larry and the Scrollitorium blues. We return to the land of standing to discuss what our next course of action is. ¡°I think it would be smart to head for the Manor next, the shop was a bust and at least we know Lucy is probably in the vicinity; maybe Larry is with her on the off chance¡± I said. Rhua disagreed immediately shaking her head. ¡° We need a Leaky Shaft for freshening up; clothes included. It¡¯s been days since we were genuinely clean and if we need to be sneaking around anytime soon it will not work if they can smell us before hearing us.¡± ¡°Horace being the more turned-out chap that he is, nodded in agreement. Wardi and I took a pit stop, gagging and nodding whilst holding our noses. I lead the way to the south gate where the Leaky Shaft is located. For the uneducated, it¡¯s a sort of all-in-one tub-house, laundry room, airer and a co-operative, run by agents voted in at the capitals of each race. The money generated returns right back into the place keeping it running. My favourite thing about it is it¡¯s the only true neutral store on the entire world so it¡¯s everywhere. Even the Koan¡¯s have outlets, and they generally fear anything mechanical in origin. As we pass through the entrance, the receptionist waves us to step closer but not before the smell of Klohrain cleaning solution, intoxicates us for moment. Fantastic substance; shame it¡¯s initially a slap in the face. The receptionist was from the Huundhan subgroup, his name was Cud Dle according to the name tag and was wearing the Leaky Shaft attire. Black overalls with notably white pockets typical of dual coloured silk specifically from the Algota species of Arachnae. ¡°Sorry about the smell, if you¡¯re here every day it just becomes the norm¡± Cud said with a deep guttural growl that did not fit his size. ¡°We need the big package today my friend and can you include a box of deodorisers in that? It¡¯s been rough lately and we could do with keeping fresher for longer¡± said Wardi. Cud nods pointing us in the direction of the tub-house changing rooms and we head on inside. The water when we entered the tub-house, felt exactly like that one hug you received growing up: Warm, engulfing and a perfect remedy to a harsh day. Setron placed in the water ahead of time, added a fresh scent which complimented the neutral tub solts used for cleaning the water. As always, the feeling of using a rough brush to scrape the grime build up takes a few moments to push through, when you move into the more intimate areas it really helps to think of a happy place to negate the painful scrapes and scratches, but it is worth it in the end. We were not the only ones in the tub-house, it¡¯s also a common place frequented like taverns, particular those that deem themselves a bit more upmarket. I realised when looking around that it was just me and Horace here, Wardi was talking with a robust and strong type towards the small waterfall continuously refreshing the water. Making hand gestures towards Horace in which I was asking if he had seen Rhua he replied shaking his head. Suddenly an exceptionally cold and nimble hand appeared to touch his shoulder which causing him to jump in reflex and hit the poor unfortunate individual that had been looking down at him to take a swift headbutt. In return a ferocious right hook came from a fiery haired Rhua, Horace was soon underwater contemplating funeral songs. Tears filling her eyes, the familiar tone she spoke with quickly filled me with delight. ¡°Hiyooo dearies¡± she sobbed trying to wipe away the tears. ¡°Lucy! it¡¯s good to have you back with us! I said rushing over with a cloth to dry her eyes with. ¡°I bumped into her whilst coming out of the changing room and we thought it be fun to prank one of you so thanks for beating up a small defenceless young Haberdashphylacterist Horace¡± said Rhua angrily. Horace having been publicly shamed, continued to stay underwater as punishment and raised his hands together in a praying motion above the water to ask forgiveness of Lucy. She conjured a water pillow to float him to the surface and patted his head. ¡°Don¡¯t worry deary, it was my fwault for scaring you¡± Upon further inspection I realised, this is the first time I¡¯ve seen Lucy outside her armour, was she always this short I thought to myself? Noticing she¡¯s barely got her head above the water. Well, she is only nineteen and normally wears large, heeled boots. Her distinctively fizzgum blue hair was barely visible with the towel covering it earlier, makes sense why I couldn¡¯t recognise her before, it doesn¡¯t help her birthmark is on the palm side either I would notice that for sure. Wardi having finished his conversation, heads over to join us. ¡°Hey, Hankay, ~, glad to have you back with us, what¡¯s been occurring whilst you were away?¡± Wardi says in a cheeky tone. ¡°WWAURDI just because I am one doesn¡¯t mean you should call me it and say it properly meanie!¡± Lucy responded with pulling a huffy face. ¡°I am well, it is good to be back with the party especially with the recent weird events happening here lately. Lucy gave us the rundown and it became apparent that us reuniting with our resident L¨´th enthusiast, was likely going to prove essential in the days ahead. ¡°Larry has gone missing¡­strange noises in and an unfamiliar energy in the manor¡­ and the towns people acting suspicious? This is an award-winning recipe for danger¡­¡± Rhua said with a worrying tone. ¡°WHERE shall we start? Horace said after a moment of silence. ¡°I say we try and get information from the townies can¡¯t be sure if any are being influenced and I don¡¯t think we should take any chances¡­I think I should use the bosh soon¡± Wardi said hesitantly, whilst pulling the silver adorned keg from his bag. A full keg should give me about an hour¡¯s use, lucky for us this town¡¯s not a capital and relatively small in population, we should be able to gather the intel before it runs dry. We gathered our equipment from the lockers in the airer room. I forgot how great we looked after we put our gear back on and glanced at myself and party members in the long mirror built into the wall. Rhua now her hair washed away of the built-up layers of grime, stood out with a long thick hair shimmering the colours of burning coal; the shape of it fell like tigion¡¯s mane giving her a wild look, heavily contrasting the orderly Sillva scale plate mail she wears. Horace his hair white against his ashen skin was short and neat pairing well with his red boofal leather attire¡­ I never noticed before, were his eyes always so turquoise? Though he soon looked like a fool again with that helmet. Wardi¡¯s distinctively neat dirty blonde spiked hair, looking ready to impale anything that falls onto it. His eastern combat garb with its distinctively loose and black cloth was unusual for a frontline fighter though he swears by it, and I must agree; he¡¯s certainly a remarkable sight during a fight. Lucy of course was in her familiar brown mage¡¯s hat, smiles and all. Her face being the only thing visible and the outline of her extendable wand. Now that Lucy has returned to us, we have a stable group, one that could manage slightly more dangerous threats if they should arise. Of course, as an undefeated non sentient I¡¯m capable of soloing anything in front of me zing-zing-ZINGERONI I thought to myself almost breaking into a laugh. Rhua our Chevallier/Caller hybrid faces the brunt of attacks and the occasional support, her shield and shield abilities have been vital to our lasting long as we have, especially with all but her being particularly squishy. Wardi uses his Prancer abilities to fight up front with me and Rhua, he is typically the most dangerous just from sheer speed and precision alone, but his nature and background are what typically lead us through the day to day, he¡¯s great with people and wins over hearts easy. Lucy stays and guards the backline of the party with Horace, using her wand for extremely basic arts that do not require focus or channelling such as quick dispelling¡­ or bonking the head of enemies that get slightly too up close. As a Haberdashphylacterist, the hat itself is the source of strength for the class and Offensive duties are the focus of it and supportive duties on occasion. Without her, enemies that are immune to physical attacks are absolutely off the target list not to mention she can heal us far better than what we can afford for healing items. Horace uses a crossbow to take out stragglers and as an Artillerist/Syntheneer hybrid class, uses a multi-purpose turret that attacks primarily through explode on contact style shells. Through buttons in his spare hand glove, he can set timers and manually detonate his shells, this is especially true for his debilitating or support shells¡­we don¡¯t want to get it by a poison gas shell or accidentally help the enemies with a speed mist shell now do we! And as a Syntheneer, he¡¯s able to make his own concoctions whilst being on the move, you know, like his unhappy deal canister I told you about earlier, but I bet you forgot, silly sausages that you are! We waved goodbye to Cud and left the keys in the drop in box at reception. He thanked and wished us well on our travels. Stepping back onto the streets, we noticed despite it being only a couple of hours into the afternoon, it was eerily quiet which is unusual for a town on a main trade route in fact the only people on the streets were clearly just merchants with cart and horse birds on their way to other towns. ¡°Taverns are always a good place to gather information and from what I¡¯ve seen so far, The Prince Albert has my gaze drawn since I arrived, I¡¯m not going in there alone however!¡± Lucy said, her voice not coming through so well due to the nature of her newly reacquainted garb squeezing her face whenever she speaks. ¡°Good as place as any to start then¡± Wardi says I¡¯m familiar with Hattie the owner, good woman that one, I¡¯ll save the Bosh until she points me in the right direction. As we head towards The Prince Albert, I looked around high and low subtly to see if anything stood out. The rooftops were clear, alleyways filled with rubbish and felines sleeping on the floor, nothing that warranted mentioning really. I ask Wardi if he has noticed anything, he whispered that his sensory ability didn¡¯t pick anything up and he''s been recasting repeatedly to be sure. ¡°I think this will be plain sailing troops zing-zing, I¡¯m placing bets that Larry is in the manor basement¡­40HFC¡± I said, probably not the best time to place bets but it gives everyone someone to look forward to when I win. ¡°Heh, I¡¯ll raise you 60, Larry is out of town unrelated to all this¡± Rhua says confidently. Horace aims for a high five jive signalling he¡¯s in on the bet with Rhua, but she turns him down hurting his very fragile being. Lucy pouts and tell us not to be silly in a time like this, it could be a sad ending. Wardi has already entered the Tavern and is talking with the bartender as we finally get in. It¡¯s darker than the previous locale we visited, yet cosy. Also, a suitable place for someone to take advantage of stealth and take out targets quickly if it came to it. We grab a booth to sit in and owing to the number of pub goers, decide I¡¯m going to be safe and create a little privacy for us I thought. I pull out my Mizfitters Muter Sphere, it¡¯s rare and when I checked the auction house last; was expensive. Lucky for me however, I acquired it in a chest that was randomly out in the open near Coch Manor before Areya went loopy. Being of high quality too, this one has repeatable use which is marvellous for maintaining good wallet health¡­ though it¡¯s use by date had only three days left on it, now is as good a time as any to use. I threw it up in the air and a jade mist whooshed out and enveloped the booth, a circular barrier continuously swirling prevents any external tampering. Horace was surprised I had one but im not sure why he was, it¡¯s only rare in the sense of you don¡¯t see them very often, most guilds use them. Mizfitters isn¡¯t exactly known for selling stuff that isn¡¯t market vendor purchasable either, there¡¯s probably someone in town selling one just at a ludicrous price. We talked about what had happened until now with Lucy and vice versa. She left us before we had made our temporary base in Hawkestown. Running a separate request which happened to coincide with needing to go near Et-Navn. Deal with a Sludgineer that had been aggravating Ribbos at the potpourri swamp. Anytime that an unfortunate poor soul took a wander past, he got them all fired up and they started beating on them. Being highly vulnerable to art this was a walk in the park for her and it took her no time to see them off deeper into the area and then give him a good head wobbling and put a stop to it. The request giver only gave the Scrollitorium as a reward destination so imagine her surprise when she arrived only to find it closed. ¡°Before you ask, Zooport Counts was no help at all¡± she quickly finished with ¡°They¡¯re only ever interested in helping, if the request is higher than a five on the grand scale. I piped up with an annoyed tone, shaking my head in disbelief. ¡°You know how it is, guild league tables can make or break an adventuring guild, and they¡¯re too focused on keeping up with the Ponty Pincers for joint 3rd.¡± Guilds are like sports clubs that the old world of Terra had they¡¯re all competing to reach number one and win a trophy though unlike in the old world however the guilds on Maliterr compete to earn the GOTY award¡± I said without pause. ¡°I¡¯m still not sure what a sport club is but it sounds like a guild but nothing of actual value to society occurs within and only causes rivalry without any benefits¡± Lucy said laughing. It got me thinking, which is rare as you¡¯ve probably realised by now. She has a point. When I think about it, sports only benefitted the players back on Terra, players would get paid, regardless of a loss or win, but the fans never got their money back if the teams lost. The more I thought about it, the more I started to suddenly lose track of my thoughts and suddenly I¡¯m in the room zoning out. Hiyo all~, it''s me, Lucy, I¡¯ve been away doing other things, so I know you have not had time with me around, allow this little Haberdashphylacterist to give you all the important bits without any terrible jokes! The higher up the league table, the greater selection of requests offered by the guild. The top guilds are usually working alongside the most well-known individuals across Maliterr, the kings, queens¡¯ celebrities and of course the highest ranked sentients, which are heads of top guilds themselves, dealing with the most difficult or dangerous Maliterr has to offer. Love this story? Find the genuine version on the author''s preferred platform and support their work! Zooport Counts as my mentioned earlier, managed by Emcee Wotters, feisty and ¡­not good at makeup. Yet a fearsome wind arts and Broadsword user if the situation asks for a sword. Her class is ¡®Current Seeker,¡¯ a master of aerial fighting. I once saw her charge into a haunting of banshees single handedly over two hundred scary femme fatales waiting to shriek at her! She baited the lot of them, jumping high into the sky, so high in fact I¡¯m convinced she left the planet briefly. Then in the next few seconds, her broadsword had impaled at least fifteen in violent motion and straight into the ground. Blowing up metres of dirt as it embedded itself. She landed on the hilt of it and channelled an ancient wind art then blew the rest of them to dust. I couldn¡¯t believe my eyes getting to see arts like that in action. I consider myself talented, yet it would take eight of me to produce that sort of power. The guild leaders are all high calibre people, whilst not all may be an Emcee in combat, they can make up for it in other ways. Sentients; Galgu for example. Are high ranking crafters. Most crafter and gather types use tools and machines made at the Unending Toil guild ran by Galgu. He can turn a toothpick into something strong enough to fight monsters beyond a five on the grand scale. Which is a true story, some ranger type acquired a toothpick from a chasm raid, and Galgu broke it down and remade it into a one made of djinn claw and Blau Kukobon venom you should have seen it melt through the goldanum armour a Knight of the Husk One had. It was as if a knife carved through butter without any restrictions¡­ or so I¡¯ve heard I don¡¯t think anyone has seen real butter in nearly two years now and I wasn¡¯t there when it happened if I¡¯m honest. Another person of note is Halcyon Fleur, meister of botanical and gathering. Have you ever met a farmer that can manage all his acres in one swift action, and it¡¯s organised with a snap of the finger. Not just that either, I saw him chop, organise, and regrow damndayleon flowers within a week of harvesting, and those things take months in normal circumstances. A strong economy can push a guild higher after all, also; his troops never go hungry or without a drink. Not to mention she has access to the raw materials necessary for cloth armour, in that department. Anyway, I thought you would appreciate information from a more thorough and detailed source that¡¯s all from explanation guide Lucy; talk again soon! I¡¯m not sure how long I zoned out for, though I sensed that somewhere, out there, in the great sea of stars, an uncountable number of sleeps just occurred at once reading an essay nobody asked for. I ask if anyone had seen Wardi yet and Rhua replied to me that it¡¯s been at least twenty minutes since he went upstairs. ¡°Afternoon Hattie, it¡¯s been a while since I saw your Verde Pepenes bouncing into my eyesight¡± Wardi said with a smile which quickly turns into a grin as a pen the size of a short sword flies past his face and hit¡¯s the ceiling, sticking firmly in place and causing a moment which shakes the room. ¡°If voices could kill, yours would be the one that takes me out. Wardi, you cheeky bugger, it¡¯s been a while since you sorted my cobwebs out, how the gods are ya? She said with a thunderous voice that could rally an army on the battlefield. Hattie was an interesting individual; she was of mixed heritage. Half Scaq on her father¡¯s side. She had the shimmering green that tree leaves have as spring comes in, covering all her skin. She had the look of one meant for the sea life and the tail to boot, but being half Felidhan she also had fur in places one would expect, feet, hands, head though it seems she inherited most of her father¡¯s looks in the face it would seem. She inherited her mother¡¯s Felidhan features for sure though, muscular, and tall she stood in the room. Hattie was far beyond the height of Wardi. If using a modern method of measurements; she¡¯d be two and half Wardi¡¯s in height. ¡°I¡¯m doing fine Hattie; though, I think we can¡¯t say that of Et-Navn don¡¯t you? His face turned serious, and he moved closer towards her. ¡°What¡¯s been happening here, this place seems to have gone to dritt?¡± ¡°I wish I could say¡­ it¡¯s been like this for days, weeks even maybe, I¡¯m not sure anymore. One night I was here in my office, and I heard a scream, with a full noise dampener spell cast on the room, and I¡¯m told it was hearable through the entire town and a few kilometres outside it. The next minute, Von manor lit up, white, a pure blinding white. I think it could have been ancient light art, with how the night changed, it gave me the creeps Wardi. Ever since then, the town¡¯s been quieter and quieter, the streets have gotten empty, and business has taken a hit.¡± Wardi noticed Hattie sank into herself as she said this, looking defeated from the continuous hit to business and the town morale but he didn¡¯t need to try to rally her. ¡°Not just me either! Said Hattie, spontaneously reinvigorated who continued talking. ¡°All the stores have taken a hit, and I¡¯ve asked around and the townspeople all say the same thing, nobody has seen Larry¡± Last I heard he was heading to Von manor then he just disappeared without a trace. He told his assistant to take a small holiday or vacation, you know that thing what you weirdos from Terra used to call it, heard she was heading south for a beach vacation in Danidorm until he sent for her again¡± Hattie slumped back into her overly sized soft chair deflated for good this time. ¡°Well, this is starting to get interesting, though not in the good way that brings me fun and happiness, any leads for me to go off? or is there anything I need to know before we start causing a scene around town?¡± Wardi said, prepping his tool kit in between chatting. Hattie took her time answering, mumbling a few things that just sound like incoherent nonsense to Wardi, though, he was almost sure he heard the name Lee or Clodopeng maybe she is talking about Lilia Clondening the Jeweller? He thought. Though, when he tried to ask, she his three favourite words: ¡°You daft Azukich¡± whilst smiling, which is Scaqiska slang politely translated as: ¡®you¡¯re a twat¡¯ in our language, although it¡¯s said in a far more vulgar and fun way in Scaqiska course, one day Wardi will buy the language tome to learn this stuff properly. ¡°There was a merchant selling some an unusual knickknack, it looked to be from the far north or possibly old world Terran, likely Dornam tech though. Whispers in the tavern ranged from detector for low grade mineral deposits to a soul extraction device, usual grog talk¡± Hattie said, still using her thinking hat and not really all that present in the room anymore. ¡°Sorry hun, hope it wasn¡¯t a wasted trip coming up here and seeing little old me.¡± Wardi laughed in his head at the word little whilst biting his tongue to curb the laughter aloud. ¡°Always a pleasure gorgeous.¡± Taking her by the hand, he kissed it gently, then bowed and left the room. He could practically hear the blushing after particularly as her stomping about in excitement was shaking the building. ¡°Bless her cotton socks¡± he thought. We spent the time between Wardi breaking yet another heart upstairs, discussing what¡¯s, where¡¯s and when¡¯s for after we solve the Et-Navn dilemma. I¡¯m on the Coch manor most wanted list for the item I mentioned earlier, it was fine at the time, but it¡¯s a no-go zone for yours truly now she¡¯s lost it. Rhua made a fair point that the southern lands haven¡¯t many requests put up lately, likely a step backwards if we head that that direction. Horace¡¯s suggestion of heading west was probably our best bet, we all agreed east is probably beyond our ability if what appeared to make Viv nervous is anything to go off. Lucy was the first to notice Wardi heading back over to us. He shook his head at her and sat down with us. ¡°Speaking with Hattie was a bust¡­ she said the only thing worth noting was some peddling merchant had been selling Dornam tech, simply not worth the time if you ask me¡± Wardi says, his tone certainly gave him vibes of done with this madness. We all let out a sigh in harmony just at varying degrees of effort. ¡°Looks like we¡¯re going to have to follow up on it regardless, there¡¯s nothing else we got leads on currently, let¡¯s do that then we should rest up until nighttime, then take a visit to Chateau Le Von¡­¡± Rhua said brimming with newfound energy. ¡°What¡¯s put a spring in your step then ey? Wardi says to Rhua who points at the cups she¡¯s drank without anyone noticing. ¡°RHUA, you drank everyone¡¯s CUPS¡± Horace piped up who just makes her grin even more. Me and Wardi laugh whilst Lucy holds back Horace from trying to initiate a slap battle. Before leaving the tavern, I say to the rest of the group that I think it would be best if we stick together, strength in numbers and all that military talk. Setting out into the streets, there¡¯s few out. Although I spot Kungle and his wife Pana bouncing around and beckon him over after calling his name. ¡°OH, good seeing you lot out here, I see you even found the girl in the hat too!¡± Kungle bounces forth enthusiastically and his wife Pana quickly closes in on us to with a ¡°ELLO, ello everyone, hope you¡¯re having a springing time! What brings you to Et-Navn?¡± ¡°The usual madness you beautiful Impies, what about yourselves?¡± Wardi says. ¡°OH, well we¡¯re just off springing about, ten thousand springs a day the medicae recommend, have you seen been over to that Manor lately? We tried bouncing along the rooftops, then we tried bouncing onto that one and it only gone and bounced us back! ¡°I bounced not once, not twice, that¡¯s right five times before I quit, Invisible barriers set up all over the darn place!¡± ¡°Cheek of it¡­I¡¯m in my right mind to have a round or two with the idiot that put that barrier up, us Impies have rights too you know! Pana springing with energy says. ¡°It¡¯s all right dear, here¡± the puckering smooch-smooch were not that bad to hear though, the overly slurpy kissing is worse to look at than hear I thought, however. ¡°Well, we better get going, we still have another one thousand three hundred and thirty-seven springs to go, nice seeing you all!¡± Kungle says before he bounces so hard it looked like he went over at least three houses. ¡°Oh Kungle! You¡¯re a cheeky bouncer! wait till we get home I¡¯ll be having smooches from you later!¡± Pana says, though it slowly fades as she quickly tries to catch up with his bouncing away and out of sight. ¡°Well ANYWAY, Rhua says trying to keep us focused after that ludicrous display of affection, ¡°that¡¯s the first I¡¯ve heard of a barrier? this has gotten interesting¡­there¡¯s not many capable of creating barriers of that calibre¡­¡± said Wardi. ¡°Maybe it¡¯s an item BARRIER, technology is improving fast AFTER ALL, we should investigate, if it¡¯s non artal in origin IT¡¯LL BE EASIER TO break¡± Horace piped up. I nodded and said we should stick to the plan first, on the off chance that merchant could give us a lead. When we did eventually find the needle in a not so small haystack, Wardi hurried us over to the alleyway nearby and released seal on the keg. Slowly and creepily the red liquid came out forming a scale in the air above him. Lucy turned away and Horace looked at the floor out of fear. ¡°Gross as always man¡± I said, Rhua nodding in agreement he replied with an ¡°Aye¡± and slowly the scales began fading out of view, a neat effect to hide that a powerful gift is in use, only detectable by incredibly high-ranking detectorists or revealer tools. We¡¯ll watch from here I said, and we waited in the alley whilst he approached the merchant. ¡°How do lass, I think you¡¯re the only merchant I¡¯ve seen since I got here. What are ya selling? I¡¯m after froot but can¡¯t tell if you got any. ¡°Where does he get all these strange sounding ways of talking?¡± Lucy said audibly sounding confused I said to her it¡¯s from a form of entertainment we used to watch on a screen called the second to last of the winters ale and don¡¯t ask me about it, it was for the MUCH older folks. ¡°Ahh, hello there young sir, I¡¯m afraid I have no froot in my cart. I¡¯m Fijetta, a reconstructor, not a merchant. It seems most of the town has gotten confused by my profession. I modify unwanted tech, weapons armour accessories you name it, and I try to make new things with the combinations, like this piece of tech was made for finding ore in mines, with my skill, I merged it with an art tome and now it can scan an area for mapping traps that sort of thing I call it the OWIE. I don¡¯t accept HFC however, I only deal in materials. She finished talking and the scale had descended behind the robed person in front Wardi, it had judged the person honest. ¡°I judge thy being worthy of blessings¡± A warm voice in the air whispered, and the softest red light engulfed Fijetta. ¡°Strange, all of a sudden, I feel great, really great in fact¡± she said aloud. ¡°You all right miss? ¡°Wardi said faking concern. She smiled and nodded, yes absolutely, I¡¯ve not felt this good in a long time! Here you should take this porter box, you just place the items you don¡¯t want in to it and it¡¯ll transport them to me, I can send it back over when I¡¯ve finished, just make sure to put your name on the materials though, creations have gone to the wrong people on occasion. ¡°Our meeting was a blessing in disguise, this is only the fifth time I¡¯ve given out one of my porter boxes and¡­.¡± Wardi just stared at Fijetta, her fast and droning talking hurt him mentally, I know she said something to me in the blur of word vomit Wardi thought to himself. ¡°Well thanks for that Fijetta, I do have some spare Mushay from a request I was partaking in and a bandit I beat had this extender pole on him if you¡¯re interested in a trade for the OWIE?¡± She paused for a minute thinking, then nodded. Give me the goods and I¡¯ll get working on it! In the meantime, make sure you like and spread the word about my upcoming createon catalogue for preexisting designs! ¡°Deal, pleasure to have met you, I hope to use you again someti-.¡± She¡¯d already wandered off before he even finished the sentence¡­ Strange girl but a reconstructor could prove useful if we get some high-grade materials thinking to himself about the possible combinations for new swords. an extendable sword could be useful maybe¡­ I rushed over to Wardi, who was standing their solemnly. ¡°How did it go man? Did you get anything useful out of her?¡± ¡°Did any good Information about this place reach my ears¡­ no it did not. However, check this stuff out. Horace without warning piped up ¡°A PORTER BOX! That¡¯s so cool, you met a crafter WARDI!? He shook his head, ¡°Reconstructor mate¡± Horace looked half surprised half confused ¡°oh ¡­ WELL sometimes those are good I guess; I don¡¯t like gambling with MY GOODS though¡± Horace piped up. ¡°Well, who said you could use it, those things only link between the giver and acceptor, so you don¡¯t have to worry at all, you don¡¯t get to touch unless Wardi says you¡¯re a good boy¡± I said giving Horace a pat on the back repeatedly, causing Horace to sulk and pout¡± Wardi and the other¡¯s chuckled at my little jab. ¡°Her name was Fijetta, would you believe the bosh gave her blessing? The last time that happened was when I met that young Impie back in forty-one.¡± ¡°No idea what it did to her, but she was up in the clouds with energy, I got this neat little piece of tech her through a trade, it¡¯s called an OWIE, it maps out areas for traps, maybe it¡¯ll come in handy soon!¡± said Wardi brimming with excitement about such a useful tool. ¡°That would be fantastic to have in our possessions! If we prepare the appropriate tools, we may never have to worry about getting hurt out in the wild again, and we may not have gotten any leads, but this is good news, it¡¯s only a matter of time before we encounter an area that could be our gravesite¡± said Lucy with a little zest in her tone causing Rhua look to look down at her, patting her gently on the tip of her hat and noticing something shiny on the floor. As she looked at it further, she realised it was the lid to the sewers. ¡°Hey all, follow me¡± Rhua says, quickly rushing away from us. We follow obligatorily wondering what is going on, not before I realise Lucy has fallen behind, so I pick her up and carry her over my shoulder, she thanks me with a head pat, those little legs get tired easily I thought. Rhua finally stops outside Von Manor, looking around from the roof to the ground. ¡°Alright, taking a chance here, but I think MAYBE we can get past this barrier if we take a slightly unexpected path, Let¡¯s meet back here at midnight said Rhua energised at potential route in. ¡°Et-Navn hotel is near the northern gate; we should rest up there, I¡¯ll lead the way!¡± Lucy says excited at the prospect of sitting down again. We sit in the communal area of the hotel, a smaller bar unlike the ones in the taverns that smell of old alcohol and tavern food gases, this one has more of a woodland scent to it. Wardi, Horace and Lucy are resting in their chairs, whilst I attempt to pass the time with my eyes wandering. I notice that It''s not long before a gentleman caller makes his attempt at Rhua, who always looks more approachable after she takes off the armour and dons her towny clothes, her knitted dress with a Kanin sewn into it looked made me think of Lucy than Rhua but can¡¯t judge a book by its cover after all. I try eavesdropping which isn¡¯t hard when the gentleman in question is loud about his business. ¡°What brings a beautiful creature such as yourself to these parts? The names Brianado, eternally wandering soul looking for the love that will join me in eternity.¡± ¡°Thanks for the offer but I¡¯ll have to pass¡± said Rhua though the gentleman in question seemed undeterred. ¡°Hey just one little drink come on¡± he said, heading over to the bartender, paying for something, and returning with a bottle of vin. I feel for her, she¡¯s always having to bat them away over and over, the life of an adventurer doesn¡¯t leave much room for romance. Time passes by and when I wake up, Rhua isn¡¯t around, the others are still in the chairs they fell asleep in too. I woke them up starting with Horace as he was the closest the other two. Noting that the time was close to midnight and that we should start heading over to the spot. Few are out currently and there¡¯s only the streetlamps lighting the area. When we get there Rhua makes an appearance within a few minutes of us waiting. Chapter 5 - Pleasant Places Rhua waved, beckoning us over and as we got close, she pointed at the ground. ¡°I¡¯m confident we can get into the Manor if we enter from the sewers, I noticed this earlier after the little merchant meeting; get in, I¡¯ll close the lid afterwards.¡± ¡°Thanks for the invite¡± Lucy said with a sarcastic tone. I jumped in first, though in hindsight that was stupid as my foot was screaming when I landed. ¡°What you going to score me judges?¡± I said trying to distract from the pain but Wardi being Wardi had already sent me a Soothing salve down fixing up my little booboo. ¡°I¡¯m surprised it¡¯s so lit up in here, and it doesn¡¯t smell at all¡­ is this actually a sewer?¡± Lucy said with concern. ¡°It¡¯s 2048, the terra lot did a great job modernising the Maliterr towns and cities after the merge, lighting standards went up, drink quality, sanitation a lot of things, I¡¯m certain you can swim in this¡± Rhua said pointing at the water. Horace shook his head in disagreement, and I saw what he meant. Throwing in a broken dagger I had in my possession and standing there with great interest for what may happen next, as it bubbled in the green tinted water, then levitated out swishing around in the air. ¡°Ignis!¡± Lucy shouted pointing her wand towards the dagger and melting it down with the intense flames it spewed out. ¡°What was that all about?¡± Rhua said looking surprised. ¡°Let¡¯s keep going, I have a hunch and I¡¯m hoping it¡¯s right; I think it¡¯s Larry, he¡¯s been down here or still is, I¡¯m sure of it.¡± Lucy hastily continued, her words drowning out the further she got, though we¡¯re all much faster, so it only took three or four large lunges to catch up to her. As we hurried along the sides of the sewer, the colour of the water was noticeably greener as we travelled along it. I¡¯m hoping that it doesn¡¯t mean anything, we¡¯re in unfamiliar territory both physically and in general, we haven¡¯t ventured that far yet still, especially not those marked out on maps. the thoughts grew in my head making me weary. I noticed Wardi has pulled out the new piece of tech he¡¯s acquired; getting frustrated trying to figure out how it works. Horace flicks a switch on the device, and it pulses out in front of us, and we all stop. ¡°WARDI, let me manage it, this is MY JAM after all¡± Wardi gladly gifts it to Horace who doesn¡¯t take long to figure out that there¡¯s another trap ahead based on the weird red flickering dot on the screen that seems to be moving closer. He tells us to go to the other side and Wardi without hesitation darts across with ease, pulls out a rope and hammers it in the wall using his sword like a nail. Not before throwing his other sword back across with the rope attached. Hammer it in on that side then hurry over he shouts. Using her shield, Rhua embeds a spare old sword she had been keeping hold of and bashes it in the wall on our side, and we start to shimmy across when it¡¯s fixed in place. Lucy being a lightweight gets thrown clean over to place less stress on the rope. As we get halfway across an exceptionally large piece of lumber shoots across and into the water. Luckily, this time it doesn¡¯t suddenly levitate and start swinging, that¡¯s a big piece and I don¡¯t think I can do the dodge dance well with us all jammed in so close. ¡°DRITT, it¡¯s stopped working¡± Horace piped up throwing it back to Wardi ¡°Well that was fun while it lasted, he said sarcastically yet with a undertone. ¡°I¡¯ll take the lead again stay behind me all¡± Rhua now stood with her shield in front of her and pressed on ready for what could lurk ahead, reinforced by an enhancing shell effect granted by Horace¡¯s artillerist ability. Minor traps were waiting for us as we continued, good thing they are mere low elemental projectiles, things Rhua could take head on with ease. We finally reached the end of the sewers, and an oddly dressed man was hovering perfectly still in the air. It¡¯s Larry! Lucy said, I¡¯d recognise that custom made robe anywhere, it¡¯s the Scrollitorium uniform. Lucy conjured up green arts with the words ¡°Depetrifi, Groundus, Soothus.¡± The use of several arts in succession, caused ¡®L¨´th glow¡¯ to occur, and she began to emit pleasant karamel brown and skoi blue glows around her person, the typical sign that channelling Arts without rest has occurred. Slowly the man recovered from the wounds that been covering his face and he returned to the ground being able to move like a normal person again. ¡°Thank the bloody stars you, lot, turned up I¡¯ve been like this for over a week; look at me, I¡¯m wasting away from not eating! woe is me woe is me!¡± Larry said dramatically. ¡°Your tougher than that Larry, everyone in your family is¡± Wardi said whilst laughing. ¡°Yeah, I know, my acting is notably bad too, but I was hoping for a little sympathy heh, I imagine you lot are trying to figure out what¡¯s been happening at the manor? I¡¯ll let you in on a secret: I¡¯ve no idea myself; I was down here investigating how to get into the manor, so I set up a few safety measures as I went along as you know and which you bravely overcame heh he said in one long stretch without taking a pause to stop. ¡°I reached this point when suddenly the lid up there opened¡± Larry said pointed to the unremarkable lid above us, odd that it opened of its own accord, seems everyone else agrees judging by their looks thinking to myself. ¡°And a white flash came through and I ended up like this!¡± he finished with. ¡°We are getting ourselves into something potentially troubling, we can resolve it together though; I¡¯m sure of it! Larry may not be as adept as his cousin, but now that he¡¯s free and with us I think we can manage what¡¯s in store¡± Wardi says with a determined look on his face. ¡°Pick yourselves up, I¡¯ll take the lead again, going all out on defence here, throw all your enhancements you can muster on me you two!¡± Rhua says with determination to Lucy and Horace. Lucy responds in return with quick casting of spells stacking up, lighting up the area with the various earth elemental support Arts: ¡®Petriskin,¡¯ ¡®Golem¡¯s ward¡¯ she says whilst Horace shouts ¡°SHIELD IN THE HOLE! And a shell quietly pops out at and covers us in an earthy smelling mist that hardens on our skin as the vapours touch us. ¡°Be ready to aid Rhua anyway you can, I have a theory this trap will burn itself out as long we can outlast it¡¯s casting.¡± Lucy says with a brave face covering with her wand out in front of her. Rhua climbs the ladder and attempts to lift the lid off but, it lifts by itself catching her off guard and a searing white light hammers down on the shield, with the sound like a blowtorch attached to a megaphone. ¡°UGHH this hurts A LOT, keep those spells coming Lucy, Horace try another one of your other enhancement shells before I cook to death!¡± Horace in a greater panic than he already was, says ¡°Overdrive!¡± his turret to turn gradually increases even bigger than it was and loads it with a shell that I¡¯ve not seen before: Putrid yellow, large, and round with a spiral at the tip with what appeared to be a propellor at the back of it, I¡¯m curious and concerned because this thing has been made by himself and his DIY projects aren¡¯t known for been helpful. He quickly yells for everyone to watch out prematurely, a roaring BOOM occurs, and a screeching begins echoing throughout the sewers as the projectile quickly starts tearing through the brickwork, interestingly this thing is sealing its own route as it goes and as I notice, I shout to Horace. ¡°What the bloody hell have you used here lad; this looks more like something Barry would cook up!?¡± and without pause ¡°THAT¡¯S because this is one of HIS ideas!¡± he piped up in response. ¡°Horace if this kills us, I¡¯ll seek your soul in the afterlife and take your soul out to Pasteur with a 12gauge crossbow!¡± Rhua says angrily and scared in her tone. The shell had already made its way to the surface, and we heard a voice countdown from ¡°10, 9 8, DETONATION HAVE A NICE DAY.¡± The light has stopped and an Intense wave of flame rages through the room above us, Rhua drinks what appears to be an orange potion and pushes her way up, whatever it was she drank she¡¯s fairing far better than she was previously. ¡°Rare to find holy resistance gear like the initial blast, fire resistance on the other hand is a dime a dozen, I¡¯ll be good from here, deactivate everything and let yourselves recover a bit¡± She shouts down to us. Rhua disappearing up into the room above us, taking the lid with her as she does. The fire¡¯s died off a fair bit and Lucy conjured water avatar up to help weaken it further before starting her recovery process. After a few minutes, the smokes largely disappeared, and we¡¯re signalled to climb up by Rhua. The room seemed to be some sort of pantry or cellar, I think, it¡¯s hard to tell with rich folk, because a pantry or cellar for the less well-off tends to be on the smaller side. Whilst on the rich, tends to be the size of a small house. ¡°Cheers to Barry for whatever that mad little project of his was, did you get any more of those from him Horace?¡± Wardi said, dusting himself of the konkret off his chest. ¡°NEGATIVE but that was AMAZING I¡¯ll need to get a recipe from him AFTER ALL THIS¡± Horace piped up. ¡°Well, if you do, remind me to be nowhere near it then the next time it goes off, my ears are still hurting meanie!¡± Lucy said but not before giving Horace a gentle slapping causing him to cower and sob quietly. After she finishes with Horace, Lucy walked over to Rhua to discuss something, Wardi and I are looking around the room after picking up Horace and giving Larry the green light to come up too. ¡°Ahh, I see I see, it was as I thought: A powered multi parchment-like trap. One that triggers an exceptionally high-powered light art that when one burns out, the next trap activates. They keep blasting in the direction it faces until it¡¯s all gone or until it¡¯s forcibly destroyed. Seems that this whole room itself is like a battery for it, continuously absorbing energy. Look, over there, ley lines connecting the bottles on that shelf to the parchment. Rhua walked over to examine but found herself examining a bottle that had smashed onto the floor, hundreds of spent crystalline elemental shards fractured and scattered nearby to it. ¡°The blast must have knocked this one off, they¡¯re not the usual shards im used to seeing¡± Rhua said, examining what appeared to be a spent lightning shards with the feint purple colour associated with it. ¡°These are not cheap, they¡¯re Luzori tier at least, whomever set this up, they didn¡¯t want anyone getting any further that¡¯s for sure; there¡¯s hundreds of them down here, it¡¯s at least 20000HFC for a single piece of these types of shards¡± Lucy said with a fear in her voice. ¡°Damn¡± Wardi commented, and I nodded in approval. ¡°Do we go further, or should we inform the guild at this point? this is a lot of effort to keep out outsiders¡± said Wardi following up ¡°WE can only go forward¡± Horace piped up, pointing downwards and the realisation hit¡¯s all of us, that the sewer entrance has sealed itself up and runes of various gods are covering it. ¡°Is that the mark of Serilia? Larry said with shock in his voice. A marking of what appeared to be an oak like tree that had many branches dangling many orbs adorned with very many different wings behind it. ¡°It is her mark, why would that be here of all places, I¡¯ve heard it only appears during a Chasm, are we in a Chasm now!?¡± Lucy said. Stolen from its original source, this story is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings. ¡°Ok¡­ now I think we may have stumbled into something a little dangerous, brace yourselves everyone I think a fight could happen here¡± Wardi said, and noticed he shook for a moment from the anxiety of the situation. Rhua stood up and used a rallying cry to amp everyone up: ¡°TOGETHER WE GO¡± she shouted, and runes appeared in the air covering us with the various symbols needed to form the enhancement. So, I suppose you¡¯re wondering again, ¡°He¡¯s not a sentient¡­ how does he know what all these items and character things do? Bit of a plot hole much!? I¡¯ve got this little notebook to learn about classes, what everyone¡¯s abilities and arts do, every time they level, I ask if there¡¯s anything new or an upgrade or if we come across an unfamiliar item, I write it down in this little pad here, never know if someone else also wants to not be in the system down the line. So, for example, ¡®Together we go¡¯ does this: *Increases movement speed, melee defence and Art defence by 15% for 120 minutes- note, stacks with other abilities and arts. Attack damage up enhancements, override and negates all the previous enhancements* ¡°If this is the end, better to die alongside friends than some poor sod that wastes his life in the tavern¡± Rhua said ¡°That was so deep hun¡± I quickly responded, wiping away a fake tear from my eyes and causing Rhua to give me the death stare in response and barged past me as she did. With a wave of her hand, she beckoned us to follow behind her and we slowly wandered up the stairs. The house was warm and welcoming, yet nobody seemed to be here to greet us in a friendly or a deathly sort of way. As we exited the stairs and into the kitchen, surprised by Horace who somehow got here before we did until he pointed at the device that lifted things from the cellar and to the kitchen then receiving a fierce tap by Lucy for going off on his own without telling anyone. There was a artal device on the wall, and it rotated different images of the Von family periodically into view. I point at it and call over to Wardi and Rhua ¡°Hey look remember foto¡¯s from the old world? been a while since we¡¯ve come across them¡± I whispered in excitement. ¡°We did have some cool tastes back on terra, I used to take a lot of foto¡¯s when I went away to new places, I miss being able to do that, think of all the cool places we¡¯ve been to since the merger happened, I¡¯d have made like, a tusen different albums by now!¡± she whispered a laugh to hide a sad smile. Wardi smiled and touched the image. ¡°You miss the old life, don¡¯t you? I said putting a hand on his shoulder for support¡± ¡°Yeah, I do, we must keep pressing on though, life doesn¡¯t wait, and neither should we¡± Wardi whispered whilst giving me a slight elbow. ¡°When you¡¯re done reminiscing about some old days that I¡¯m not familiar with perhaps you could focus on the task at hand, we¡¯re currently stuck in this bloody place until further notice so let¡¯s not get too distracted ey, especially when I¡¯m hearing some weird sounds in the air, I think it¡¯s chanting, but I can¡¯t tell where it¡¯s coming from.¡± Larry said clearly annoyed by the mystery ahead. ¡°Hush you idiot we don¡¯t know if anyone else is here, at least use a bloody dampener potion if you¡¯re going to talk so we don¡¯t wake the neighbours oh and, don¡¯t forget we just rescued your arse, you would have snuffed it without us remember that you deviant little arsehat¡± Rhua angrily whispered to him. Larry pulled out a colourless liquid filled vial and drank it. ¡°I apologise for nothing, Larry said, his voice now not audible to anyone beyond our distance causing Rhua to shake her head in disbelief. ¡°I think we should stay on this floor and until we¡¯ve checked out everything, besides maybe there¡¯s some compensation in the form of a item or two after I was mentally cooked earlier¡± Rhua says ¡°Rhua! we¡¯re not criminals how could you think of doing something so illegal! Lucy said angrily. ¡°You both are making compelling arguments to be fair but I¡¯m going to have to go with shorty over here, we did TECHNICALLY break into someone¡¯s home, so I guess we are the baddies here¡± Wardi says whilst pocketing things when Lucy and Larry are both looking away, whilst Rhua, Horace and I look at Wardi and wink in approval. Damn right we are taking some compensation for this, I hope he gets something good I thought to myself. We proceeded through the hallways, examining the rooms one by one, what was likely some sort of maid¡¯s room was the only place with any signs that someone had been there; a candle still faintly burning but we continued and ending up coming full circle back to the stairs. ¡°This floor was a bust, so that leave¡¯s the second floor and the entrance room¡± Wardi said showing off some spoils he¡¯s earned along the way to the four of us, Lucy and Larry were oblivious to this house Looking forward to take a look at the goods but we¡¯ll have to wait until we get out of here, I thought gleefully. The second floor greeted us less favourably, a smell was in the air., intoxicating in all the wrong ways. ¡°I definitely smell BACCO, you can¡¯t mistake the LUNGBURN, there¡¯s another smell to¡­ it could be SEEDAR lumber though I can¡¯t say FOR CERTAIN¡± Horace piped up. ¡°You should all know, the voices have quieted as we got higher, so this is probably away from where questionable things are happening¡± Larry says being careful of his tone this time. The smell of the bacco becomes increasingly apparent as we reach a room at the end of the first hallway section. We also start to see the grey fumes of smoke passing under the rosa coloured door. Rhua doesn¡¯t wait and opens it, the smoke is very apparent and coming from a bacco roll up burning away in the ashtray. ¡°Yuck, I can¡¯t stand this stuff, it¡¯s burning everything, my eyes, my throat, my wungs!¡± Lucy said choking away. ¡°Brings back memories this stuff¡± as I take a big inhalation, the buzz hits me, and I remember the smoking rooms of the office back on Terra. Just one more rollie man! Wardi says to me as I think back to the last time we worked in the office, always have time for another heh, won¡¯t be the same when they start recording our breaks electronically though ey.¡± thinking back to my old workdays. ¡°Oi, wake up¡± Larry says to me with a little shake just to make sure I¡¯m back in the room. I¡¯m certainly feeling the buzz now, and a little rough. damn it¡¯s been years since I felt it. ¡°This damn system is a pain in my side, it¡¯s given me an increase to reaction times and energy output whilst dealing continuous poison damage from all the bacco smoke¡± said Larrry, causing Lucy to use an art to try to help the situation: ¡®Ventum cito movebam¡¯! Lucy shouted and the wind blew away the smoke out of the room and elsewhere into the manor. We quickly saw a man beaten and carved up, the blood had covered much of the floor, and he wasn¡¯t breathing. The smell of seedar was strong in the air now that the smoke was blown away. ¡°UH, loading The Green RAINER¡± Horace piped up and a shell burst into the air sprinkling green water over us, negating the poison and regenerating our health back. ¡°The effect won¡¯t LAST that long and more IMPORTANTLY what the HELL IS HAPPENING DOES THIS GUY SEEM OK?! Horace¡­ I think shouted for real that time. ¡°I don¡¯t recognise this man, he¡¯s not part of the family, I know the lot of them, this man is far too under dressed to be anything more than a butler, I know Hans Uwe though, did they replace him perhaps for someone younger? Larry said with his rapid speaking. ¡°You can really smell the seedar wood on him now, it¡¯s a bit overpowering, like something a teenager would spray vigorously to have a quick shower¡­ only less sporty more lumber ha!¡± Nobody laughed at Rhua¡¯s joke; she needs to go and think about what¡¯s she done I thought. I used a soothing salve on the man, but it wasn¡¯t activating I shook my head looking at the others. Larry used a scroll of greater reveal, and a silvery wave of energy pulsed out and wide across the manor diminishing as it moved further from the scroll itself. ¡°It didn¡¯t do anything, there must be some sort of spell or device active that¡¯s blocking item use properly.¡± Larry said worryingly, Lucy in response tried a healing spell and an anti-arts sigil appeared, which was never around us before and it is reducing the effect of the healing spell. The man¡¯s wounds recovered but just barely he¡¯s still lost a lot of blood, but he should live I thought. ¡°Now what would be going on for someone of his calibre getting a high tier barrier spell? This mystery is just getting weirder¡± I said, ¡°You have to get out.¡± a feeble voice came from the man on the floor. ¡°They¡­they¡¯re cra-zy, go, please ¡­not¡­saf-.¡± his voice fell silent. ¡°He¡¯s just passed out; I¡¯ll hide him in a different room and ¡­ gods! He¡¯s heavy for a small guy¡± complained Larry to the rest of us. The rest of the floor was empty until we reached what looked like the bedrooms of the von family members. The first room was clearly Skankerella Von¡¯s, the room was a baby blue with trees painted on the walls, and what looked like sandy beaches in the sun, she did always enjoy a hotter climate over doing any sort of work I thought to myself. Scattered clothing strewn about, and various fine ornaments lay broken in pieces on the tables and stands. ¡°Guessing they left in a hurry¡± Rhua said ¡°Well, we can¡¯t be sure, there¡¯s still a powerful barrier in place, it¡¯s likely they never left.¡± Says Lucy the fear in her breath building up since we got here, becoming so much more noticeable now and Wardi wraps his arm around her giving the sign of ¡®It¡¯s going to be alright we got this.¡¯ The Master bedroom¡­ its cleanliness bordered on the point of being sterile. Thinking to myself as I looked around: I don¡¯t think the parents have been here in a while look at this place, there¡¯s no dust or anything. Rhua clipped a lamp on the table and suddenly a book falls out from under it. The front of it has a marking of Serilia, it¡¯s not artal in the slightest though Lucy says as I tried to inspect it. When she opens it up it¡¯s filled with various diary entries that all seem normal up until a month ago. Suddenly the style of the writing becomes less neat, fancy as if someone else has wrote it. and the tone was darker. Augtem 6th 2048 Business has been well since we met the Yar Family, they had such marvellous trinkets from the old world and in such a phenomenal condition as well. I think if we play our cards right, we can marry Dilis off with Rella before the month ends and merge the two families into a mighty force in the industry. Hans informed me that Master Hollow had arranged to visit and would be bringing guests. I¡¯ll ensure the cellar is well stocked, one can never have too many refreshments and delights when entertaining guests of this eloquence. I must remind Hans to take myself and the wife clothes shopping, I¡¯m certain the tailcoat no longer fits and it¡¯s best I leave an impression. Augtember 7th 2048 I was glad to have met Master Hollow and his associates this evening, for Hollow to welcome me into the society was a joyous occasion. Sharing of the chalice was delightful and watching the sacrifices squirm as we gifted them sweet release is something I could watch over and over! Gifts shall spread throughout the manor; we can¡¯t have any unwanted visitors now can we Calder Grey? ¡°Absolutely not sir, I am grateful you included me in the festivities he said, I will live up to your expectations and more for the greater good!¡± He said to me so gleefully. 18 204 These BLOODY CRETINS, shut up I say, SHUT¡­UP I¡¯m tired of hearing you screech and moan. They deserved to face the God Burn, I hope nobody noticed the manor when I used it, we do not need any troubles now. And Calder you¡¯re a useless bastard I keep having to say it, step up or you¡¯ll be gone, I¡¯m growing tired of constantly beating him over his mistakes. 25 48 YOU VILE WHENCHES YOU BELONG TO ME AND ME ALONE I WILL END YOU, PAINFULLY AND FROLLICK IN YOUR DYING BREATHS I gymdeithas y wawr sy''n codi. ¡°I don¡¯t recognize this language¡­ can anyone else make sense of it?¡± Larry and Horace walked over to the book and shook their head. ¡°Is that supposed to be a language?¡± Horace said scratching his head. The rest of us walked over to have a look. ¡°Wow, that¡¯s Valisisk!¡± Rhua said with a surprise tone. ¡°Oh wow, that¡¯s a rare one to see, did any of you study it at school, I didn¡¯t.¡± Wardi said laughing. I shook my head, Rhua did too ¡°I only know this word ¡®Mae¡¯n,¡¯ it roughly means ¡®It is or its¡¯ if you translate it to common tongue but everything else is beyond what I know. ¡°Great so, now we have someone speaking a language that hasn¡¯t been around for 1000 odd years give or take¡± Rhua said, who begins to rub her stomach to help with the knots forming in it. ¡°Lucy, make a note of those diary entries and then let¡¯s clear out of this place, we just have the entrance hall left to explore now.¡± Wardi says, quickly exiting the room and heading towards the entrance. Lucy recorded the journal entries using some spare parchment she had stored in her inventory and then we tried to catch up to Wardi¡¯s rather speedy leave us all behind exit. We reached the entrance hall and were surprised the front door slightly open, no air was coming from the outside, however. Larry noted that there was a faint trace of art here and he looked around confused, he just could not tell where the voices if they were real were coming from. He grumbled slapping his head repeatedly. ¡°Let¡¯s check in here it looks like the dining room¡± I spoke pointing to the room on the left that noticed. Chapter 6 - Welcome to the house of fun The foods cold but it¡¯s not rotten, it hasn¡¯t been that long since someone was in here¡­ maybe the guy upstairs set this up? I thought. As we entered the dining room, we could hear noises coming from the room across the entrance hall. ¡°Does that sound like armour clinking to you? Rhua says bracing her shields ready for a fight. Wardi looked out and suddenly a group of knights in full plate mail from various cultures were standing in the hall. ¡°yup¡± he said. They gathered and practiced a sort of military protocol with their weapons, twirling them around before standing before a portrait we didn¡¯t see next to the stairs and kneeling. ¡°Hello there, are your group a noble sort standing in there hiding?¡± A soft voice spoke out to us within the air itself. ¡°It is I, lady Frigibits of the Von family, I¡¯m speaking to you through my telepathy art, I¡¯m hiding within the Ayshun Knight armour, and my daughter Skankerella is in the Thurian one with the robe at the back there. Rhua whispered into the air ¡°What¡¯s happened Lady Von? The house has a barrier over it, we had to go through the sewers to gain entry and an incredibly dangerous parchment trap was ready for us, we barely made it through!¡± ¡°It¡¯s my husband¡± she said sadly ¡°Broekslang Von has completely lost his marbles and we¡¯ve been hiding from him. Some peculiar well-dressed elites visited our humble abode, then the next day¡­he wasn¡¯t himself, as if he had been switched with an evil twin, I can feel his vile aura still even now, ¡°Please, we can¡¯t keep this up much longer, our strength is waning, please rescue us! I¡¯ll hold off the armoury door for you, these knights they are under enchantments with exceedingly powerful manipulation and defensive arts you won¡¯t be able to manage if they join in the fray. As she finished speaking, the knights stood up and marched back into the around room, slamming the door shut in the process. The word ¡°please¡± echoed and trailed off around us softly. ¡°This is fine¡± I said sarcastically. ¡°So, where do we go from here, we¡¯ve looked everywhere! Larry blurted out frustrated. ¡°WHAT, about outside?¡± a scared Horace piped up. ¡°The barrier covered most of the land as well as the house, maybe the garden is still accessible, does someone want to try the front door? Wardi asked the room but went ahead anyway and opened it, the garden was modest considering the size of the manor and minimalist. A greenhouse that seemed to be teeming with various plants, Singing Sallie flowers were the most notable bobbing up and down humming and occasionally singing songs they hear from visitors. We wandered over to the greenhouse and looked inside to see if anything else was in there. Leks & dafdils oddly lined up next to each in an oddly coloured soil, and I could smell something familiar. ¡°Seedar in the air again, not as much as the last guy though¡± I said. ¡°Who¡¯s there!? a voice whispered in fear. ¡°Is that you Lady Von? ¡°Hans!? Larry was surprised to hear a familiar voice and barged past Wardi. ¡°Larry!? What in the devil are you doing here boy!? ¡°Well, that giant barrier would be one reason and there have been some mysterious things happening around the manor that the whole town witnessed. Hans was a mixed individual from the Koan lands, half Koanor from the chest up with bird-like features, orange beak, feathered arms and noticeably big orange eyes¡­ just without wings, he was also half Koanit from the waist down, though his girth was far abnormal than usual for a Koanit, maybe he just has a slow metabolism or something, but those legs were tiny how can it even support the weight!?I thought. Impeccably dressed for a butler too; the black tailcoat was dazzling, adorned with multiple iridescent gems reflecting the light from the BOF outside back at us like a miniature rainbow disco. As he sat up, he began to grunt and speak. ¡°Broekslang has been meeting with a group called the rising dawn, they¡¯re fanatics obsessed with following their self-imposed ways of honouring Serilia, the leader he seems to be an incredibly powerful manipulator and is selecting specific targets from the upper elites to bring more into his personal circle. I fear the good lord is long since capable of returning to his old self but if you can try to grant this fools request, then I can die here today; happy. A healing spell began aiding the man on the floor but this time no barrier appeared to weaken the effect. ¡°Thank you miss, it seems fate doesn¡¯t deem me ready just yet¡± he grunted but appeared to be in much better spirits I noted. ¡°Now¡­ how far into the manor have you explored? Have you encountered anything dangerous yet? ¡°Only thing that was dangerous was the parchment trap that had been set up in the cellar, it¡¯s been non-hazardous other than that though¡± Wardi said. ¡°Larry had heard been some strange chanting occasionally but couldn¡¯t identify it, we found a young man that we had assumed was your replacement in one of the rooms upstairs, he was badly hurt, and he had an obnoxious odour about his person¡± Wardi continued, piquing Hans¡¯s curiosity. ¡°Calder, I was training him to be my replacement but the boy is soft, too soft after all this , the seedar lasted thank the gods, I am a Perfumologist and my abilities make scents with social enhancing benefits but I made him one with my only defensive ability, seedar musk, only a minor defensive benefit but the lord of the house, he absolutely detests it and will avoid it like the plague. ¡°That¡¯s a surprisingly niche and situational thing to have¡± I said to Hans which grew him a smile. ¡°Yes well, his lordship has always had a distaste for it, and as we came into this newly formed world the first ability I learned, was that one.¡± He said and continued speaking ¡°I could never have predicted that I¡¯d have to use it against him however.¡± ¡°That¡¯s almost like FORESHADOWING¡± Horace piped up, ignoring him Lucy pressed Hans on. ¡°We¡¯ve looked everywhere Mr Uwe sir, is it possible he¡¯s left the manor?¡± Lucy asked him calmly. He was a bit taken aback by her politeness or possibly her bizarre attire. ¡°Uh¡­oh-um, well, did you check the bedrooms or the dining room? The cellar?... no wait you came from there so that wouldn¡¯t make sense, the armoury perhaps?¡± he rambled without pause. ¡°Lady von is hiding within the armours with little miss Skank¡± I said. ¡°That¡¯s Lady Skankerella, I¡¯ll have you say sir, she¡¯s earned her title and don¡¯t you forget it.¡± ¡°Oh, she DEFINITELY earned it, you just don¡¯t want to know how¡± I winked at Rhua who bit shot me a few daggers, but I could see Wardi behind her trying not to laugh by pinching himself. ¡°Hmm, did you try the attic whilst you were wandering? If he is still here, that could be the only place. Return to the master bedroom, pull gently on the cord connected to the fan in the ceiling, it¡¯s a faux device, it will bring access down for you get up there¡± Hans said to us. ¡°Back in we go then troops!¡± Wardi said in a rather annoyed tone. We tried to encourage Hans to return inside with us, but he insisted on staying in the greenhouse as he¡¯d rather be around the things that can at least keep him sane whilst this is on-going. When the door opened back into the manor, an incredibly loud chanting; from what we assume is the attic, came from above us. Stolen from its rightful author, this tale is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings. Moarte, Tod, Death Moarte, Tod, Death ¡°We should be ready for anything at this point, keep your eyes peeled I feel like something has changed¡± Wardi said; arms ready to grab his swords at any moment. Walking towards the staircase, all of us taken by surprise as the light in the room darkened, slowly as if the sun were setting but it couldn¡¯t deliver us any sort of light. The chandelier, slowly absorbed into the ceiling, warping, twisting, and changing into a large, serpent-like eye. The gaze was piercing, all of us shaken by this monstrosity that just appeared. For some reason, it felt familiar but not in a safe way, I couldn¡¯t quite put my finger on it. ¡°What is that!? ¡°Rhua said trying to break the gaze by reacting to it audibly. It didn¡¯t work, however. ¡°Can¡¯t say I¡¯ve ever heard of a monster like this if it even is one? Everyone, get ready to r-.¡± Upon Wardi trying to speak, I noticed the room quickly turned eerily silent, my party members and Larry appeared frozen when I looked around, not by ice; but as if time had stopped. ¡°Fate denier¡± ¡­ the words bellowed, which sounded like it came a from a choir of many different voices all at once. ¡°Fate denier? who and what is that when they are at home¡± I joked in the way we did back on the old world. ¡°The fanatics of gods, they will test you on this day, you and your party, may face real death; one that there is a point of no return by any means¡± the voices continued to come forth, it was overwhelming, like some sort of critical hit on the senses. ¡°A cursed baptism will take place soon, one that will push you yourselves, to limits you did not know you could reach.¡± ¡°This sounds insane, what are you even saying, how does anyone curse a baptism? How do we fight something that sounds like it¡¯s not meant for a group of average adventurers!? As I said this, dark lights began to form and fall from the eye itself. One by one they slowly floated towards the floor, the most pleasant twinkle rang out as they hit the floor then bounced upwards, forming into what appeared to be a tear drop like object, the colour changing from black to slight colours of the elements thought, the first tear stayed the same colour, onyx black. The rest were: Red, blue, green, brown, purple, grey, and white. ¡°What are these? I said aloud to the voice. ¡°What you will soon face, you must fight it in ways you would not think to. Use the tears, they will guide you to victory. Fate denier, fear not the darkness, be ready for the battle ahead¡­ I must leave now. Your friends will awaken upon my departure.¡± The words still echo as it slowly blinked, and the ceiling formed back to its original appearance. What is wrong with this world, I just want normality! I screamed in my head, It is best not saying anything to the others I don¡¯t want to draw attention to myself, first I get visions of the gods now I get 1 on 1 meetings with horrific entities saying they¡¯re going to help me¡­ if the others were aware of this it¡¯s going to lead to questions and I can¡¯t give answers, not to mention Larry is here, word could spread, who knowns what nutters may end up trying to pay me a visit as well. My mind racing with so many thoughts my heartbeat skyrockets in turn and I take deep breaths to try and calm down. When the ceiling at finally reverted to its original look, Rhua was the first to talk, as she was beginning to say something before the event caused her to freeze. ¡°Leave us alone you fr-... huh, where did it go!? ¡°I think it was some sort of knockout art, probably a last line of defence the nutter had in place for coming back in the manor¡± I said pretending and acting like I was a little shaken now. Wardi pointed at the floor noting the tear drop ornaments on the floor. ¡°Hey, I don¡¯t remember seeing these before. ¡°I picked the one closest to my foot and grabbed it. It turned a swirling, deep yet pleasant onyx black within, it was the tear that didn¡¯t change as much as the others I noted. ¡°Oo shiny, maybe we can sell them? what do you think Larry? I said, he looked slightly perplexed by all this happening so quick. ¡°Well ¡­ uh, they probably belong to the Von family¡­ thought they are tempting however¡­ but¡­uh¡­. perhaps we should wait maybe before taking? Ask for them as a reward?¡± Great cover story Larry, I thought in my head, not before I picked and placed all of them into my inventory whilst everyone started walking off. We ventured back to the lord¡¯s bedroom and with the latest information at hand, activated the device to get us up into the attic. We were surprised when it came down like a vator from back on terra, ¡°talk about showing off by having something like this just to go into a room you probably only used once a bloody decade, this decadence schmecadence is not a life for me¡± Wardi blurted out unlike him to use big words like that. ¡°Make sure you have a wash when we are out of here, I know it¡¯s you making the room smell so bad.¡± He pointed at me then turned a point into a fist shaking it at me like an old man. Suddenly the chanting really amplified in volume only this time the word death repeated over and over. Looking at the device to take us up, I asked aloud if everyone was ready, looking at each person nodding and tensing up as we hit the switch on the vator. The attic was by far the biggest part of the manor, the room itself took us to the northeastern most corner and we could barely see more than a few steps in front of us. ¡°Horace, check if that device is working again, see if you can pick up any traps?¡± said Wardi. He nodded and activated it, it whirred up in power and it picked up one or two traps that had been placed along the path, but it quickly lost power again ¡°damn thing, wonder why it¡¯s so temperamental I¡¯ll have to ask how to charge it¡± Wardi said quietly. Horace took the lead having been the only one to see where the traps were located and walked on ahead but not before giving us a vision boost from one of his shells. ¡®C-more in the HOLE¡¯ piped up Horace as quiet as he could. *Dark vision increased by 10ft* Said the notebook as I examined it. It was best we used this over a light source so as not to draw attention. It seemed however that despite knowing there was a trap ahead, the activation triggered by someone¡¯s foot being on it, dropped heavy logs in our direction, we avoided it quite well though considering the poor light. The chanting had stopped after the heavy thuds from each log hit the floor. However, one or two of which broke through the floor the impact was so strong. ¡°WELCOME TO VON MANOR, IT IS ME YOUR HOST BROEKSLANG VON.¡± A snarling wet voice shouted into the air and a click could heard in the distance, resulted in the attic light, and turning on, suddenly what was causing the smell had become visible. Victims of Broekslang¡¯s madness were here, gathered in a pile towards the southeastern end of the manor, though judging by the lack of decay on the topmost bodies, it¡¯s likely these were taken out in the last day or two. ¡°ISN¡¯T MY MOSAIC PRETTY ADVENTURERS!? all of THIS, is for SERILIA~ We all need to LOVE HER MORE show her your devotion!¡± The voice twisted increasingly, growing deeper, eviller. The hulking figure stood on top of the pile and began stamping, causing the floor to begin buckling. ¡°IT IS MY TIME TO SHINE SERILIA, I HOPE YOU¡¯LL SHOWER ME WITH YOUR GRACE FOR ALL MY EFFORTS, TO THE RISING DAWN! the floor finally caved, and the bodies began dropping down in the entrance hall, it appeared Broekslang used his new abominable form to grip to the attic ceiling rather than fall with the victims. Horace panicking like a madman but also being a legend, had already started unloading enhancements for us, a vividly pale shell was fired and blew out a gust of wind to boost our movement speed and he sprayed us with a viscous brown gel whilst running in which he said, ¡°This will help us avoid getting grabbed by HIM!¡± We bolted together running towards the closest floorboard leading us back into the bedroom, as Broekslang launched himself towards us buckling the floor further. Lucky for us, it¡¯s not the first time a chase has occurred from a particular nasty foe, and we land on our feet and quickly make an escape out into the hallways. A loud bang heard from behind, as Broekslang has busted through to the hallways from the attic and is bounding after us screaming: ¡°COME HERE DARLINGS, LET ME RELEASE YOU TO HER MAJESTY, YOUR BONES WILL CRUMBLE TO DUST IN A WARM EMBRACE I¡¯LL MAKE IT AS DELECTABLE AS POSSIBLE!¡± Broekslang growled. ¡°Leave us alone! Lucy shouted, ¡°why don¡¯t you go back to a dark place and never come back.¡± ¡°It¡¯s too constricted in here, let¡¯s try and get him outside¡­ c¡¯mon! the door is just ahead then we can sort this one out¡± said Rhua. As we approached the door Rhua used her quick dash ability to quickly close the distance and break through, we can¡¯t take any chances of getting stuck fighting with all the victims on the floor, it¡¯ll just be an obstruction after all, quick thinking on her part. The daylight was a welcome addition, a blast of partially fresh air and we quickly braced ourselves. Broekslang made quick work of the entrance doorframe and sent bricks flying towards us in the process. Chapter 7 - We came, we saw, we ran Horace took a back seat area out of the way but with a clear view of the battlefield. He refreshed us with the enhancements again and followed up by making the turret ready for combat loading it with defensive down and poison shells. Wardi activated his after image & shadow weaver ability the kaha causing him to emit a brief pulse as the ability activated and he disappeared into the air before our eyes, ready to sneak attack and Rhua used her strength boosting ¡®War Cry¡¯ ability charging at Broekslang. He¡¯s nimble for such a hulking mass though Wardi¡¯s Prancer abilities are second to none and he¡¯s getting off sneak attacks repeatedly whilst the after images created by his ability are taking the blows as Rhua is trying to turn him away using her enmity attracting ability throwing her axe which returns to her when she calls for it. Lucy, meanwhile, is linking with Larry to chain together powerful arts through a method called Channel casting, a testament to her knowledge and experience as a Haberdashphylacterist, also impressive that Larry had it in him to do something so advanced. They¡¯re linking together whilst holding their hands to the side, causes them to levitate as the power increases. Multiple orbs begin to form in the air, rotating around in front of them and glowing as they are closer to setting off. Broekslang slaps Rhua and manages to get a blow on Wardi as he spins but he quickly composes himself. Broekslang sees the art, taking the opportunity jumping over to the greenhouse. ¡°HELLO HANS NICE, TO SEE YOU HIDING IN THERE, BE A GOOD SPORT AND TAKE AN ART OR TWO FOR ME, THE GOODS ARE NOT PLAYING FAIR. ¡°Damnit, Larry we can¡¯t keep channeling, we need to stop and use low tier spells for now or we could end up hitting Hans by accident! ¡°Understood Lucy¡± he said hurriedly. I say to the other¡¯s we need to get him out of that greenhouse, if Broekslang breaks the glass, it may cut Hans from the shards shattering. Rhua took the initiative to charge at Broekslang again, but this time piled into him he braced for it falling to the sides back towards the house but was largely unfazed. ¡°OO that tickled, we should do it again sometime! His voice no longer barking shouts at us. ¡°Oh, will you shut up im tired of you!¡± Rhua shouted as she smashed her shield into his face. We piled into him punching, slashing, blasting, nuking with arts. It quickly wore him down and it also seemed whatever turned him into the hulking mass wore off and he was reverting to his normal size. He lay there bleeding and panting on the floor, eyes black and blue and bleeding from the mouth. Suddenly he began heaving, and a slug-like creature vomited out of his mouth to the floor. Writhing around; it seemed to be aware it could find another victim. ¡°A manipucent, that explains his crazy behavior changes, here let me trap it¡± Larry said as he wrote a seal onto a scroll then pulled a jar out of his backpack to use on the manipucent. You think you¡¯ve seen everything in this world and then you get surprised once again by the disgusting, things it decides to suddenly introduce when you don¡¯t need it to the words appeared in my mind. ¡°This is only the fourth time I¡¯ve seen one of these in action, but it¡¯s a first to see it being used on someone of an elite status. Larry spoke and then seemed to be a bit taken aback. ¡°What¡¯s up kid¡± Wardi said patting him on the head. ¡°Well ¡­ this has all been difficult to process, one minute, I feel like I¡¯m panicking, this is all so much. He said putting his head in his hands beginning to sob quietly. Horace walked to Larry and wrapped his arm around Larry¡¯s head then gave him a thumbs up with his spare arm. Attaboy Horace, I thought, I came over to him and wrapped my arm around him also and gave him light little nudge with my fist and spoke. ¡°It¡¯s alright bud, happens to the best of us, you did a damn good job out there, keep your head up high.¡± Whilst were tending to Larry¡¯s crisis, Rhua convened with Lucy in the background. ¡°The barrier is fading now that Broekslang is returning to normal I can feel the mana fuelling the spell is waning. Lucy said with a smile on her little cheeks. ¡°We should go check on the ladies of the manor and try to get help for that young man upstairs, we can send him on the way with Larry whilst we get things in order Rhua said. Rhua began heading inside whilst Lucy came over to tell us the plan. Larry now calmer, was happy to wait for us with Hans at the garden gate, the barrier disappeared enough to allow passage out. I quickly went looking for Lady Von before I joined the other¡¯s walking up the stairs and called out to her in the armoury. ¡°Lady Von, are you there? Broekslang is back to his old self again¡± ¡°Thank the heavens good sir¡± A voice spoke aloud from one of the armoured figures in the corner. ¡°I am so glad to hear papa is ok!¡± said Rella sobbing. ¡°We just have to clear up before you head out¡± I said before they began taking off the armour. There are traps still kicking around you see, so best you let us adventurers deal with it nothing to worry about, I¡¯ll close the door to be safe¡± I continued with. Rejoining my party members up the stairs, I told them to stop for a minute. I took out a dampener potion and threw it around us before I spoke again. Splish-splosh-splash terrible sounding noises these things make when activated. ¡°We need to address the elphunt in the room, what are we going to do with all the victims in the entrance hall, we are not a clean-up crew¡± ¡°Figured we were just going to ask Lucy to use her art to be honest, it¡¯s the simplest method.¡± Wardi spoke with a sad tone in his voice. ¡°No way! There needs to be an investigation before I could even think of doing that. ¡°Lucy protested, firm in her words. Don¡¯t think we¡¯ll be going down that route then at this rate I thought to myself. ¡°Lady von thinks her husband just lost the plot a little bit, I don¡¯t think she knows that he had a couple of bakers dozens up in the loft baking away in the not-so-great type of baking way. ¡°Bit dark mate¡± Wardi said with a raised brow. ¡°True but it¡¯s 100% accurate and you know it¡± I said. ¡°let¡¯s just make BLINDFOLDS, it¡¯ll do temporarily¡± Horace said ¡°Aye we can trick the ladies, we can use the guy upstairs to mask the scent, bring him down he¡¯s probably out cold by now anyway then we can head out of here with the ladies in tow, say they is sight traps in place and we need them to be blinded¡± Said Wardi. ¡°It¡¯s so stupid this just may work¡± Rhua said. Reaching the room Larry told us he put Calder in, suddenly panic ensues when we realise, he¡¯s no longer there and it appears the blood has mysteriously disappeared that was near where he lay. ¡°Well, that was unexpected, do you think he made it to safety? ¡°Lucy said, expressing a dumbfounded look on her face. ¡°No way, he was on the edge before we found him, it hasn¡¯t been that long between finding him and coming back¡± At this point we all had to shield our eyes as an extraordinary white light burned through the entire building. It must have been the same light as from the other night, the one that the townies had been talking about. Wardi used his Lightfoot ability and ran out to find out what the cause of the light was. By the time we got halfway down the hallway he was shouting at us ¡°ALL THE BODIES HAVE GONE! THERE¡¯S JUST A RANDOM LITTLE GIRL ON THE FLOOR DOWN HERE.¡± The pace picked up drastically upon hearing this news and when we finally reached the room, not just the bodies, but the blood was gone to, and there in the centre of what looked like circular markings from an art that had activated was a young girl. Rhua and Lucy rushed to her, she was unresponsive however, and they looked at us worried. Lucy tried to cast healing arts, the words came, but her L¨´th didn¡¯t work. ¡°I-I can¡¯t cast any arts!?¡± Rhua used a soother salve on the girl, the thwonk activated as it landed and began squelching¡­nothing happened. Panic and tension are starting to build in the room, it¡¯s heavy in the air. I search my bags for wakey-wakey salts shaking the bottle when I do, then throw it at Rhua to give the girl. ¡°If that doesn¡¯t wake her then I don¡¯t know what will¡± I said. Rhua popped off the cap, held it close to the young girl¡¯s nose¡­nothing happened and Rhua looked down at the floor, shaking her head. ¡°Is she dead? Wardi said softly to Rhua. ¡°I don¡¯t know but what else can we do.¡± Rhua replied to him. ¡°There¡¯s NOTHING to be done, l-l-l-leave this p-p-place, my dessert is f-f-f-finally there.¡± An eery screeching and cracking wall of voices came from the gaping hole in the ceiling. Large, thick tendrils began to slowly creep out, spreading across the ceiling and down the walls. With almost no time to react, Calder or what remained of Calder, was on the floor in the entrance hall, all but a small portion of his face was gone, just a slither on the left side visible with fraction of hair and his eye. The transformed side of his face was made up of many eyes, honeycomb in arrangement and milky in colour, as if its soul had already parted to the next life. He began shaking violently and spoke more ominous words. ¡°S-s-so many of you here, a dessert platter is very unexpected, y-y-yet so welcoming! His bones cracking and snapping as he does, his outfit is tearing to shreds as more tendrils tear out from him. The skin begins turning whiter and whiter again, becoming a pearlescent white in colour, almost ethereal in appearance, it reminded me of the servants that Serilia had in her realm only¡­not quite meant to exist in that place either? It¡¯s tendrils, began growing thorns as big as swords which began smashing the walls. Rhua activated three different abilities ¡°Bulwark, Phalanx, Prism mail!¡± looking akin to a humanoid light bulb with all the defensive enhancements active she jumped in front of us, her physical shield raised up and further art shield''s formed in the air. This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere. Tendrils quickly wrapped around the first shield and the creature in front of us unleashed a force from its terrifying eye, shattering our first line of defence like it was paper and immediately; taking control of the broken pieces and launching various shards at us. ¡°YIKES¡± Rhua shouted aloud. ¡°D-did it just break all the abilities and use it against us!? Lucy shouted whilst retreating to the staircase.¡± Don¡¯t use anything that it may be able to reuse for itself. Horace began trying to synthesise something alternative, scared the creature would use his own ammunition against us. Wardi activated his shadow step ability in an instant dived into a shadow and reemerged at the creatures back, when suddenly a tendril flew at him as he emerged from the shadow near its main body, impaling his shoulder but not before he left deep slashes in the vile thing. ¡°Hit me once and I¡¯ll get you back tenfold you hulk ass-twat!¡± ¡°Oi keeps it together I shouted at him whilst being rag dolled here there and everywhere the tendrils could reach. Not my first rodeo but my days it just never gets easier and I¡¯m sure my grandchildren will be able to feel it. Rhua is certainly holding her own and more, she, has done well to keep this thing focused on her and away from the dining room. Her Kaha is not endless however, and while the most fearsome attacks are focused on that area, this thing can still attack us from all directions it seemed. Horace having completed a synthesis mid fight, shouts for us to guard up for what he¡¯s about to do, throwing a canister into the air which bursts, instantly freezing most of the entrance hall and nearly all its tendrils of which I barely made an escape from as it froze. It¡¯ll take me a WHILE to make that again so give it EVERYTHING YOU GOT¡± he piped up and we certainly lit that room up in a space of a few seconds. Wardi, absolutely enraged began pransing across the room at light speed decapitating the tendrils and speed slicing into the monster the liquid flying out of it which I assume is it blood of sorts was painting the walls, floor and covering us and he quickly retreated into the shadows to recover from expending so much energy. I used items from my inventory to help, drinking a bone enrichment potion, because the one-time use CRIT potion that was next up, would probably blow my arms to bits if I don¡¯t and NOW, I thought to do something insane. Taking an aerial approach targeting the creatures head region, I smashed it cleanly at the crown, the creatures head was practically inside its body and the ground tremored from the impact buckling the floor. The pain was unbelievable not just in my arm but my head too, must have over fired that nerve I thought. I was rescued by one of Lucy¡¯s safety spells as that hit took the wind out of me. She then chained several spells in succession, Ignicio, Gusto, Gaia, Raiton! Intense flames burned, furious winds sliced, tumultuous earth pummelled, raging lightning struck at the creature causing a chorus of sounds blow out, emanating throughout the room. Horace quickly followed up with his turret and crossbow in hand, streams of projectiles flew into the creatures back dissolving it as they broke down. Damn Horace, those acid rounds are potent I thought to myself. The creature was screeching so loud you could see the soundwaves of its shrieks through the dust and the windows shattered as the wave hit them. ¡°O-o-ooo I am working up a great appetite, why don¡¯t you all just lay down so I can gobble up YOU UP YUM-YUM-YUM!¡± It spoke, increasing in volume as if a siren blaring, Rhua smashed it in the mouth with her shield before we ended up with permanent hearing issues. ¡°Shut it¡± She growled but it just began making noises which sounded like it trying to mock us ¡®clack-clack-clack.¡¯ ¡°After all that, it seems like it¡¯s still ready to go full throttle did we do anything to it? Rhua shouted. The pieces that been detached from it began dissolving; however, it was quickly replacing the parts it lost, but not before several deep purple bolt arts flew at the thing from the combined efforts of the Von family. ¡°You vile thing, you enter our home and cause all this¡­begone with you!¡± Lady Von¡¯s words rang out from the armoury. This sudden barrage of spells seemed to anger it more than anything we had done previously. The pearlescent white colours had now changed to a yellow, fluorescent colour and it began shaking, releasing orbs into the air. ¡°Something tells me we don¡¯t want to touch those, Wardi said prematurely as they quickly homed in on us. The turret managed to take out many of them, Wardi was not so lucky however and it appeared to debilitate him greatly. ¡°Ugh, it feels as if I¡¯m trying to hold up a house with every fibre of my being here¡± he grunted. Wardi looked at his window shouting ¡®Enrevenanted¡¯ ¡°What the f does Enrevenanted mean!? He shouted¡± ¡°H-h-Hehe¡± clacked the creature, ¡°Will be mine soon pranser, Y-Y-YUM CRUNCHY BONES, DELICIOUS it clack-clack-clacked, secreting what could only be described as drool from its body. The numerous eyes of the creature began to tear away as a large gaping mouth with thousands of small, sharp looking teeth began to protrude outwards, it soon began trying to suck Wardi towards itself with a strong wind like ability, to which Rhua quickly changed her weapon to a flail, poured paralyzing gel from her inventory over it and smashed her weapon clean into the side of what visible head it had left. Causing all its tendrils to drop to the floor with a thud, and it slumped over noiseless as the effects took hold. ¡°This is just a moment¡¯s reprieve, recover and use every potion you have or we¡¯re dead, you lot to she shouted at the Von family, ¡°if you have any high tier potions get them NOW¡± she followed up with. Broekslang ran upstairs to look whilst Frigibits and Rella stuck around the armoury channelling more arts. ¡°Only delaying my d-d-dinner time s-slurp¡± the creature hissed. Almost no time at all, just how tough is this thing!? I shouted. I looked over to Wardi and saw he had fallen unconscious between the ability used by the big pain in the rumpe in front of us. ¡°We are down a Wardi!¡± I shouted. ¡°Oh no! Wardi! Lucy cried out. I looked around the room trying to see if anything could help us, but it was a waste, looking at my party members, Rhua was sweating profusely, Horace and Lucy were shaken to their core. Myself? Well despite the barely functioning arm, I was all right, maybe a little sore but the fear and panic seemed to have melted away. I threw excel-salves for health recovery and pulled out the six pack of CRUNK energy cans to give us a performance enhancement and threw them out, each to Lucy, Horace and Rhua and having two for myself. It¡¯s so helpful that things from the old world are so useful in the new one having been one of the few things I¡¯ve memorised without the book: *Increases agility stat 200%, Art and Ability costs reduced by 30% + Kaha and L¨´th rate of recovery +50% per can* Don¡¯t mind if I do! not like I may not make it out of here after all I thought to myself. Lucy threw out a durability potion to Rhua and gave me a rejuver juice to try mend my arm. Broekslang returned with an exceptionally high tier spell damage potion and three high tier Art and Ability damage boosting potions and insisted we use them. ¡°Our art is nothing compared to your lot, drink them all¡± the effects of the potions I already took now kicking in, I launched the third potion to Rhua who quickly drank it and was brimming with energy again. Lucy having taken such an array of potions was shaking mad and wasted no time in unleashing five spells in one swift action, having noted that the creature appeared to be holy elemental, she put all of her focus to this particular type, unleashing vicious dark art, the blackened blades of wind and blood spikes that ravaged the creature caused it speak with fear for the first time. ¡®Blech¡¯ it appeared to vomit whilst still paralyzed. ¡°Filthy Dark arts, that h-h-hurt!¡± She used her rescue art on the Von family and had them channel art into hers. Horace now tanked up to the ceiling on potions seemed to be on a different level and began trying to synthesise multiple different things at super speed. I of course had already joined Rhua in the fight and was punching and kicking the damn thing. I may not get any benefits for the Art and Ability enhancements, but this thing is getting smashed damn quick I¡¯m probably hitting this thing as often as Wardi does at full speed! I thought. The creature seemed to be getting weaker finally after a small bombardment of attacks, it moaned more as the hits landed. Horace having cooked up a particularly foul-smelling concoction implored us to get the hell out of there as a shell almost half the size of my entire body suddenly smacked straight into the creature and quickly began dissolving and spraying out highly concentrated acid causing the creature to scream at such intensity you almost want to take it out to pasture. It¡¯s body melting away quickly, the creature seemed to be trying to maintain its integrity by separating itself from the main body. The head detached itself and a tendril wrapped itself around the opposite staircase and it appeared to be heading towards the cellar. Rhua took no chances and used a binding ability, attempting to stop it. The more we hurt it, the more it became desperate to fight back it seemed and was suddenly overpowering and pulling her along despite its miniscule size. ¡°I think it used an ability; I can barely contain it unlike before¡± Rhua said straining her voice trying to maintain her focus. It surprised all of us when it separated yet again only this time heading to the ceiling and quickly slamming back down to the floor causing a collapse where it broke through. ¡°I think it¡¯s going to consume the shards in the cellar!¡± I shouted. Lucy and the Von family casted a spell that caused the floor to collapse in its entirety and keep bursting through, a spell of that calibre probably broke through the barrier I thought to myself. It also brought up so much dust we could not see more than a few inches from our faces which was never a good thing in the middle of a fight. The silence became overwhelming, tense and anxiety inducing as we waited for the dust to settle and give us a moment to compose ourselves. Particularly now that the item effects were wearing off and the kickback started happening. Causing myself, Lucy, and Horace to drop to the floor with fatigue, Rhua held herself up by her shield dug deep in what floor she could reach, but she was panting deep and took off her helmet out of necessity from the heat build-up from fighting. ¡°I do not think you have won just yet¡± said Frigibits. ¡°I still sense a presence below us we should try to retreat, perhaps by now the guild may have started making its way here, they have far more capable fighters there¡± ¡°No, mama, look out the window¡± Rella her voice shaking with fear said. Looking out at the barrier was back and now the swirling with many distinct colours of the elements. ¡°shit¡± I said aloud. ¡°Watch your language kid¡± said a weak voice ¡°you¡¯re back with us I take it man? ¡°Just about, whatever you did seemed to cause the effect to disappear, I¡¯m useless though, it¡¯s left me heavily weakened. Lucy and Horace used some group wide healing arts and enhancing shells to perk us up once more, at least enough to make a dash for safety if we could. Upon this happening, a large translucent hand rose up from the cellar, followed by another which slammed into the staircase. Very many, heavily spiked tendrils now shot up into the air, smashing through the ceiling and roof, and slowly the creature reappeared only this time, much bigger, more menacing and with not just but one head but four. Rhua once again enhanced herself ready for a fight but seeing that there was no longer a floor realised fighting would be pointless as only Horace and Lucy were capable of fighting things not at ground level now. ¡°RUN!¡± she shouted but not before darting over to Wardi picking him up to jump back and Lucy aiding her with a wind art. Chapter 8 - Light up my life We split up due to the rather large hand smashing through the staircase. I was separated with Horace, whilst the rest were gathered. We ran upstairs and the walls were light work for the creature. I couldn¡¯t gather my thoughts from the constant dodging and picking up Horace when his legs were giving out. A hard hit from the creature eventually landed and we crashed into a room and onto a balcony outside we had not noticed previously. ¡°UGH, this is ROUGH¡± Horace piped up. Nodding, I slumped down against the wooden balcony and hiding to the sight out of sight, thunderous banging was ringing out and more than likely could be felt from quite far away too. As it was wrecking what was I assumed to be my party members and newfound acquaintances. I thought back to the words the serpentine eye said. ¡°You must fight in ways you would not think to~¡± I reached into my inventory and pulled out the droplet. Looking and holding it, I thought maybe the answer would come to me¡­it didn¡¯t. Horace looked at me bewildered having not looked around after the froze everyone and noticing the teardrops. He pointing at the tear, as if asking, ¡®what is it? ¡°No idea, but it¡¯s supposed to be able to help us fight?¡± shrugging my shoulders at the end of my sentence. Peeking round the corner it seemed that creature focused on the others and not paying much attention to us I thought it would be a good opportunity to try at sneaking towards the thing. Horace shook his head and used a sneak canister he made to help me reach it. I told him to stay outside since it doesn¡¯t seem to be interested in us and maybe if it all goes to hell at least one of us can get out. Besides¡­ he was exhausted and scared; fear will make you do silly things. Now being invisible and silent, it¡¯s an opportunity to strike but these sneak tools aren¡¯t always fully safe; true sight, true hearing, and the not so unique: sniff, are dangerous. Considering how tough this thing, is it¡¯s probably got at least one of those to counter my attempt. I snuck around and got up into the attic and hid in a corner. I was able to notice from up here, it had consumed all the shards in the cellar and put two and two together thinking it was, and it is likely now the reason the barrier is staying powered and stronger than when Broekslang had control of it. Looking down from the ceiling I thought to myself it¡¯s now or never, drank several durability potions and I dropped down. The creature noticed me dropping down, but I was unable to deduce how. One of its large hands punched me midair, causing me to lose control of the droplet and it fell through the air as I blasted through the armoury doors. It felt as if time was stopping, watching everything happen slowly and my vision faded through losing consciousness. The droplet fell onto the creature and the deepest black erupting throughout the manor with the creature screaming was the last thing I saw. ¡°, N-NO, HOW!? L_LOST TO THE AGES, BLECH~¡± the noise around me¡­gone. ¡°Well done boy.¡± My eyes opened and I was in the grounds of the garden, but it also seemed like it wasn¡¯t quite the place either. ¡°You defeated a baptised one fate denier, you, and your friends deserve much praise for this¡± A dark portal-like whirl appeared to be next to my face ¡°Is it you? The thing from before? ¡°Yes boy, it is I-¡± it said. ¡°Who and What are you?¡± ¡°Who am I? well, this I cannot say for my purpose was served long, long ago¡­ and I have long since stepped beyond¡­ though I suppose you may call me Tofla for the time being. A fragment of another age, hoping to make things right¡­ that have gone wrong.¡± ¡°There are agreements in place that prevent me interfering, I may only guide. ¡°Well, that can¡¯t be true, or else that stuff you gave me for the fight would have counted against that surely?¡± I said to Tofla. ¡°So, what was it, the stuff I used against that crazy thing, we were practically swimming in enhancements, and it may as well as fought us with one tendril tied behind it¡¯s back¡± I followed up with. What I gave you was guidance¡­ AND The Obelisks Eight. It was down to you fate denier to make what you will with them. The thing you battled with your friends, it is called an Inv?rs?r, that particular one was the Holy-Inv?rs?r, a corrupted entity that comes forth during a broken baptism, the summoning of something forcefully from another time, another place in the universe, they are not meant to exist, the signs to summon those were taken by the gods they lead to nothing but misery. ¡°The little girl? She is one of the corrupt ones too I take it?¡± Tofla stayed silent for few moments from my question to it. ¡°I am not aware of this little girl that you mentioned said Tofla The voice sounded curious ¡°Are you feeling well fate denier perhaps you took a bump to the head you are a fragile creature after all. I stared into the sky for a brief time. And rolled with it pretending I was hurt ¡°I just don¡¯t get any of this, and yes, I think I did just take a bump to the head too hard I will be ok. ¡°What is a tear¡­ sorry The Obelisk Eight?¡± I said now holding my hands over my eyes trying to block the light out. ¡°Your world uses hierarchies so perhaps I should explain it using that? Tofla echoed. ¡°Sure¡± I said too tired to fully talk and move at this point ¡°If the elemental sands are at the bottom and then, shards, clusters, rods, boulders, and formations are the at the top with the most power and uses. Then the obelisk eight are the purest and raw elemental forms, born during my time in the past. A failsafe, designed to stop the things that should never be. ¡°Inv?rs?r?¡± I quickly replied. ¡°Things such as those but not exclusively those¡± said Tofla. ¡°Bit vague mate¡± I said frustrated and not particularly thrilled about these damn gods and other worldly entities invading my normalcy for the third time. ¡°Forgive me for the mystery fate denier, should I break the agreements I will cease to be for eternity¡± Tofla echoed. ¡°Always keep your friends close, united you stand against the perils ahead, I will return to you soon, go, return to your party members.¡± The whirling dark faded away and I stayed for a few more seconds in my homemade darkness. ¡°Obelisk eight huh¡­¡± What have I got myself into now z-z-zingeroni! I thought to myself aloud. Seems I zoned out for a while as a kick in the leg arrived and caused me to sit up straight and swing my fist out in a reflex. ¡°Wardi. glad to see ya standing man!¡± I stood up and punched his arm it¡¯s only fair after all tit for tat. He made an oof face and we both laughed. Rhua and the rest came over to us, and I saw when everyone had their backs turned to them that Horace gestured to Rhua do the high five jive, she reluctantly agreed barely put any energy she normally gives for it, whilst they quickly did it before anyone else caught on and wanted to join in. That was one hell of a dangerous event, that darkness¡­ it was almost pleasant dare I say? As if it wouldn¡¯t hurt me if I tried touching it?¡± said Wardi. ¡°How you interpret the world really matters, light isn¡¯t always as honourable as it seems, and the dark is loathed when it¡¯s just misunderstood¡± ¡°Lucy said with a proud tone in her words. I think this, has been testament to that, don¡¯t you? Wardi shrugged at her words and Rhua responded. ¡°Darkness banished an evil today let¡¯s not forget that, still though, I can¡¯t believe, that we all levelled up twice though, that¡¯s never happened¡± Rhua followed up with. ¡°I learned a new Agni art, it sounds scary though. Hope I don¡¯t have to use it anytime soon.¡± Said Lucy The manor is all but destroyed as I looked around, the Von family had gathered near the main entrance bloody, bruised beaten, and yet still smiling. ¡°Good on them for making it out of there¡± I said, nodding in the direction of the family. ¡°Broekslang is going to be on a bounty list if we don¡¯t intervene and help set the record straight though, we should stick with them for when the guards arrive¡± Rhua said with a stern voice. And so, we called to them, waving at them to come in closer to us. ¡°I think it¡¯s best we stick together Von¡¯s¡­ the guards will expect a full report for what occurred here¡± said Rhua to the family, Broekslang replied ¡°Right you are lads and lasses, lead the way, this old coot has had enough for one day.¡± Stolen story; please report. ¡°Broek my love, here, let me help you walk, put your arm around me¡± said Frigibits with Rella helping on the other side. ¡°Thank you, my little angels he said gratefully,¡± It wasn¡¯t long as we limped back into town before the head guard was in full step heading our direction. Hattie was also with him towering above everyone as expected of her. ¡°Wardi! what¡¯s going on!? The town evacuated from all the chaos from the manor! She said concerned. ¡°Better sit down for this one Wardi said, though, without even a remote chance of us knowing it they were there, Guild leader Emcee and her co commanders Frank and Curly. Stood tall, dangerous, and proud, she was looking exceptionally enraged but that is her typical look. ¡°What an honour it is for someone of your prestige to come meet us personally¡± said Wardi not before having to quickly react to Frank¡¯s quick step and defend himself ¡°watch your f*&^ing tone boy, I could end you easily and she would demolish all of you alone¡± pushing Wardi down to his knees in a show of force. ¡°Huk! Show your respect for the boss mate, won¡¯t be telling you twice! Said curly. ¡°ENOUGH¡± she shouted, stamping her foot causing all but Rhua to lose balance in the tremor. ¡°You lot get to the guild if you know what¡¯s good for you, she said angrily. She pointed at Hattie and the head guard Sazi, as if to say you pair to, then told Frank to go find Larry and in her unnecessary words ¡°That *&^ing stinking butler Hans¡± And so we did mostly out of terror, nothing says come and spend time with us like the threat of quick death. I personally have visited many guilds and but it¡¯s my first time being in one of the top ten. Zooport guild was far plainer and more modest than I expected inside¡­minus the taxidermy trophy wall above the bar and guild flags that hung from the rafters. If you someone told me this was tavern, I would have thought none the wiser. Frank and curly set up multiple anti sneak spells and Emcee herself casted the most violent wind barrier I ever seen and felt, there is definitely no one, besides those in the top ten rankings that could even try to listen in on this conversation coming. ¡°Now, Broekstwonk, it¡¯s your manor that¡¯s been the talk of the town for a while now, so you¡¯re first up to talk. Emcee said. I looked at the others wondering if someone may get bumped off in here, she is serious the pressure in the room, its intensity is unbearable, are all the high rankers like this? I thought to myself. Meanwhile ¡­. ¡°Your grace, the CCTV is fully operational once again, the G.I.T¡¯s have been hard at work to meet your expectations and more, they have agreed among themselves: Godployees must always work in pairs during the shift. ¡°What say you Yayzus, earth was your department, so tell me how did the space2u company end up being on the trajectory course for Terra and Malicore, I¡¯ve waited eight years for an answer, lest you forget¡­they¡¯re not even in the same direction!? Tyrokun the 7th shouted to the lesser god. ¡°We are still investigating your graces, earth earned the space traversal right, but it is clear their technology is still behind, far behind in fact compared to worlds like Regalsha, I believe the cause of the problem was a software failure that failed to update the auto pilot coordinates, they still use Ffenstri 89 in most of their systems. ¡°Of all the higher-level humanoid worlds, how did that one end up progressing beyond its limits said Eria the 2nd. A voice in the background coughed ¡°Lowkey¡± cough. ¡°Omg Z shut the F up said Yayzus looking at Zeus in his typical toga and sandals, was letting out a bellow of a laugh and won himself an invisible smack from Nellah which sent him flying out a window. ¡°Loykey¡­that little dritt deserved to be punished, hijacking the ships from the Scioners and puppeteering them around earth, setting the natives into frenzy, he knew what he was doing when crashed the ships there too, he practically gave them a free pass to space with their tech, lucky for us they¡¯re too stupid to figure out the insta-port technology and only managed to figure out how to make galacta-fuel for their puny earth rockets. Tyrokun the 7th said. ¡°of course, your graces, he¡¯s serving a Jurassic sentence at HMP God Harsh after all for his stupidity, rest assured he¡¯s being regularly brutalised by Atnas himself.¡± ¡°SPLENDIDLY GOOD¡± said the seven of dawn in unison. ¡°Always doing good work Atnas, He deserves to be in line for a promotion to the lessers if you ask me¡± says Tyrokun. ¡°I¡¯ll consider it¡­Now for the agenda at hand¡± Serilia spoke aloud. Eria floated up into the air with a parchment at hand showing various statistics. ¡°Phaals chasm ideas have been a great a success, feedback gathered by the lesser has given us some valuable insight into the system. The inhabitants and I quote ¡®Go bananas¡¯ whenever one of them opens and it¡¯s lead to some interesting results when the drop items get used by the sentients particularly by those with creation-based skills. Sentient 1337 ¨C Broekslang Von, using his status to gather expensive materials appeared to have manufactured a potion called ¡®Abominade¡¯ which gave him some notable physical enhancements against that group that has the non-sent in it. Serilia upon hearing about her old creation perked up, ¡°oh my little cherub is still around¡± she scorned ¡°That ****ing little shit and his nerve Serilia thought to herself ¡°I do hope continues his merry (DEATH! DEATH! DEATH! she screamed internally) way smiling as she said so. ¡°In other news it seems azan has been spo-¡° I zoned out whilst the group caught Emcee up to date with hippity happenings that had been going. ¡°I¡¯m so sorry Emcee, I wish I could help but, I genuinely cannot remember anything about what I wrote in my journal, it must be a side effect of the manipucent. ¡°It is a good thing your wife, could remember the group you dealt with, I believe them to be real, their Identities to not be, however. ¡°Alright, butty, It¡¯s Emcee here. I got told it¡¯s important to explain the ranking system a bit. And I¡¯m high up it so I know a lot more than these dipdritts. ¡°There¡¯s many in the rankings who don¡¯t wanna show their real strength, it¡¯s a violent world and some of em out there wanna be at the top of the food chain. Us in the top twenty is where you know, not to f around and find out, we are powerful, and everyone knows it only causes massive damage if we scrapped but we never do¡­ unless that Edge Lord is around. Since nobody has ever actually seen number one, Edge is considered the strongest officially and an absolute nutter.¡± ¡°You hear those stories of people that love a good fight, well Edge Lord just goes out swinging for the person he sees. His class, Overtaker, infuses him with pure uncontrollable battle lust, either he takes you out, you knock him out or you kill him¡­though it doesn¡¯t manifest around non-combat classes so there are some exceptions. I had the pleasure of encountering him coming out of chasm with Velvet Blossom Ranked fourth and Stonker ranked fifth. It took the three of us working together just to knock him out. The top one hundred is a dirt storm of fighting, but the ranks are disingenuous here, they aren¡¯t a real representation of it. Rank ninety-nine could be powerful as rank fifty-two for example and since some of them hide how much power they really have, I think you get the picture. Anyway, im bored of this peace out! ¡°Manipucent are rare, and Broekslang is well known for his wealth. ¡°You think he was targeted boss? said Curly. ¡°****ING hell yes, he was targeted Curly, and it¡¯s probably one in the top one hundred. ¡°Boss, I¡¯ll look into some suspects, I think it will be a arts user, no way would a fighter class have that sort of smarts about them for a plan like that you know what I mean?¡± ¡°That¡¯s a terrible stereotype, we just finished talking about how people hide their true strengths for the rankings, if anything a fighter would be the smartest pick, especially now that double classing has become a trend¡± said Rhua frustrated at being pigeonholed into the ¡®Must be dumb because not a arts user grunt-grunt¡¯ category. ¡°You¡¯re not even in the top 100 so shut the F^&* up loser¡± Frank raged at the gall that she thinks she has any position to talk. ¡°Enough Frank, she has a point, a mage may be the most likely candidate, but it could be anyone - I suggest looking into who has had a hold of manipucent in the past.¡± Said Emcee ¡°Well Barry has had his fair share but you know he¡¯s an honest bloke, he gave all his away to the leaky tap back in forty-five which was on an odd choice but in his words¡±: ¡°they¡¯re neutral, they¡¯re not going to get involved with anything outside the business, and the failsafe spell automatically teleports the traitor to the shame square near Bompeeyo¡¯s domain, and nobody wants to risk a clash with the one colossi who actually wants to scrap if the chance occurs Wardi said jokingly¡± Emcee smiled ever so slightly, I¡¯m not sure if she thought it was funny or was thinking of the possibility of what that fight would look like and is enjoying the thought in a sadistic manner. Either way, I looked away in case I caught her attention. ¡°I¡¯ll get in touch with some of the other guilds and hold a meeting, I appreciate the intel ya dingbats now clean up and F^&* off I have no other need for you¡± said Emcee politely. ¡°Thanks for your hospitality, Emcee¡± we all said together, and Frank and curly both decided to shove us in the direction of the door. Though they were more polite with the Von family, You save a rich bunch, putting our lives on the line and we get treated like this¡­ elitism is crazy I thought to myself fake smiling but dying inside! ¡°Here¡± said frank who slammed a large bag of HMC¡¯s into Horace knocking the wind out of him and I¡¯m sure his eyes popped out his head for a brief second before he slumped to the floor. ¡°From the boss." Frank followed up with - "she said ¡°Ta¡±." And the door was slammed so hard we were pushed back a little and Horace slid down to the street still grasping the money. ¡°Her lackey could do that, it¡¯s scary to think he¡¯s forty places lower than that one and he has that much power I said¡±. ¡°Screw that guy pushing us around like that, where the hell where they when all that was going down!¡± Rhua said angrily. ¡°Probably in a Chasm or dealing with someone far more worthy than our mere mortal selves¡± said Lucy who was silent up until now. ¡°We should meet up with Larry and Hans, I want to know if that little girl is doing all right, maybe she has woken up after the big clash, I¡¯ll get some niceties along the way we can try to lighten the atmosphere after all that. Chapter 9 - You Narcotica Be Kidding Me Lucy shopped around by herself but found the town to be lacking in foodstuff, only managing to scavenge noet horns, clotted schmuu cream and gurdb?r jam, common treats for Maliterr but nothing particularly outstanding. It felt like my birthday when I spotted a Cranky Jay¡¯s Vinella Flapper though. I asked her if it was for me, and she nodded. ¡°I passed someone selling goods from Terra, here, I got these as well for everyone they better be worth the price¡± she huffed and several bottles of fizzay floated in the air, no way ¡­ LOICHEE flavour! The smile on my face right now, it¡¯s got to be my birthday, ¡°Thank you Lucy you¡¯re a star!¡± I said and hugged her. Me and Rhua helped Horace get back on his feet then Wardi ruffled the top of his outfit and lead the way to the Scrollitorium to which Hans was the first to greet, us though he showed some caution as Broekslang came into view. ¡°I¡¯m so sorry Hans¡± rushing over and falling to his knees, ¡°I have shamed my family and let you down old friend, I¡¯ll never forgive myself for getting turned by evil doers!¡± Hans raised Broekslang up and dusted off his suit. ¡°Do not worry about me sir, you and the ladies of the house should lay your heads and rest a while¡± nodding with a smile. ¡°Oh Hans darling, your concern is appreciated, you must think of yourself for once¡± he shook his head ¡°Ney your ladyship, it is a butlers duty after all to ensure the masters needs are well met, come now, I will lead you to your room at the inn, these honourable adventurers have important matters ahead of them and we should leave them be¡± Hans said, trying to hurry them all along. Lady Von stayed behind a little to tell that she insists we stop by before leaving town she wants to thank us personally. Larry spotted us through the store window and ushered all in quickly, stepping into the familiar whirring and twinkling sounds of arts activated and the doors were locked tight and the lights switched on. It was as if a bomb had gone off in the shop, smoke still lingered in the air and the remnants of detrimental effects were ever present and being cleaned up by small little Larry clones brushing, scrubbing, and repairing as they went. ¡°This was my fault said Larry, I didn¡¯t deactivate the defensive spells when I brought the girl here and they kicked in slightly blowing the place up, lucky I keep the GOOD STUFF out of the way¡± he said whilst throwing aside some parchment from chairs that he had forgotten about. Sit down we have a blue haired problem to deal with. Laid out on the table was the girl from Broekslang¡¯s manor. ¡°Has she awoken? Lucy spoke out showing concern, she looked to be a few years younger but was the closest to her age if she was as old as she looked. ¡°Well, an interesting little story to tell here¡­¡± suddenly Larry looked hurt or sad I couldn¡¯t quite tell. ¡°I am so deeply ashamed ¡­. Hans and me¡­ had to knock her out physically¡± Larry said sadly. Shocking all of us except Wardi. ¡°This girl seems to have some innate resistance or immunity to abilities and arts, I was heading here with Hans, and we were maybe one or two streets away and she suddenly woke up screaming and kicking¡± he continued, by saying ¡°We tried all the basic stuff: Trying to put her to sleep, paralysis potion, induced coma, silence scroll but nothing worked, and the guards were certainly concerned by all the noise, lucky for me my reputation proceeds me and I said she is a patient for my cousin Barry no need to worry just a side effect¡± Larry said. ¡°Hans held her as I bonked her on the head, I¡¯ll never forgive myself for that.¡± Rhua was fuming, Lucy and Horace were both sad, I was indifferent and Wardi was the only person from the party to speak. ¡°Unpredictable situation we were, in don¡¯t blame yourself, this is an unfamiliar individual¡± he began turning to us making sure we heard his words, ¡°She could be young, she could be old, she is an unfamiliar individual and those can put you in a situation that means life or death, so pull your fingers out your arses, what if she was another Edge Lord? You wouldn¡¯t be acting this way if she were.¡± Damn, those were some harsh words he used but he is right they¡¯re letting emotions get the better of them here I thought to myself. Rhua walked over to her, gently rocking to see if the girl would respond but there was nothing. Reaching into her bag, she pulled out some wakey-wakey salts and waved it under the girl¡¯s nose. It hadn¡¯t been more than a second before the girl shot up straight up inhaling deeply, heart pumping, her hair was notably standing up as if she had been hit by electric. She looked at Rhua who was still taken aback by the sudden surprise action and leapt at her, clawing, and swinging fists in rapid succession but nothing was besting Rhua¡¯s defences. Wardi stepped in, restraining the girl who was becoming increasingly aggressive, I thought to myself that it seems the more freaked out she got the stronger she was becoming. ¡°Hello ALL! It¡¯s me Horace! MEANWHILE and unbeknownst to everyone else, I HAD BEEN trying to synthesise something to try to help with the SITUATION. The ability finished and I showed off my newly formed shell, raising it high in the air in celebration¡­if only everyone had witnessed me and my GLORIOUS CREATION, I thought to myself. I readied the turret and loaded it up. ¡°Incoming, SULFERGIC acid pentamide!¡± he piped up. A shell flew up and a gas quickly spread around the shop front ¡­the fighting continued, however. ¡°Hmm, I thought this would DO THE JOB¡± Horace piped up. The innate resistances that come from having a class seemed to be kicking in for everyone except for myself and the little girl who appeared to be starting to slow¡­slow down ¡­. like¡­. alo----t. ¡°I feel a little funny I said. Ah bugger, Horace you div, you¡¯ve gotten the two of them OUT OF IT! Look at the state of them, he pointed primarily at the young girl Horace just accidentally debilitated, and Horace just skulked into the corner and stared at the wall in shame. The girl had calmed down significantly, although was acting in a more unusual manner now. Rhua noted that the young girl was waving her hands in the air slowly, up... down¡­ left¡­ right¡­ left¡­ right. Though it seemed she appeared far, FAR away at the same time. ¡°Horrrrrrace¡­wwwwhat wassss ¡­the shhhhelll¡± I said it so slowly everyone aged at least a year, maybe two by the time I finished speaking. Fffloating¡­I¡¯m ffffloating!¡± I spoke. Wardi realising this was something like illegal narcotics back on Terra began laughing ¡°Rhua¡­Horace got him high! I think he¡¯s managed to recreate sap the narcotic. ¡°Oh no, he¡¯s going to be like this for a while then¡± her face now turning to one of annoyance after speaking. ¡°What is sap?¡± said Lucy concerned ¡°There used to be something people took in our old world, it would supposedly change the way your mind worked, colour would be more intense, you could think and imagine things beyond your limits, you could feel the very essence of yourself, flowing into the world, into the universe¡± Rhua said and Wardi followed this up ¡°For a low-low price and 30 minutes or less.¡± ¡°w-w-where am I? Who¡­who are¡­you?¡± the girl began talking much to our surprise. ¡°Well, im glad she¡¯s capable of speaking the same tongue as us at least¡± Said Wardi. Lucy began talking to the girl. ¡°This is the Scrollitorium, in the town of Et-Navn and the world is called Maliterr¡± the girl seemed to not react to Lucy¡¯s words. ¡°A GIANT¡­TALKINGGG HATTTT¡­ WITH ...A FACE IN IT HEE HEEEEE¡± she said slowly This book''s true home is on another platform. Check it out there for the real experience. ¡°I think you may have made that one a little bit too strong Horace¡± said Larry ¡°STOPPED them from FIGHTING at least¡± piped Horace. Lucy removed the hat, and the girl was even more gleeful at this. ¡°THE HAT¡­WAS CONTROLLED¡­ BY A GIRL HEEEEEE. ¡°We are adventurers, we rescued you from an evil monster¡± ¡°Mmmonster?¡± the girl said ¡°Silana is not monsterrrrrr!¡± she protested. ¡°Are you Silana? Rhua said putting her hand on the girls shoulder to try and show her she cares¡± I¡¯m Silana!¡± she said staring at Rhua¡¯s hand on her shoulder intensely¡± ¡°it¡¯s so ¡­gigantic ¡­ your hand and ¡­ SHINYYY¡± ¡°I think the imaginative side is starting to kick in now, and him¡­ he¡¯s been looking at the same thing for the past five minutes Wardi said aloud. ¡°It¡¯s a poster not a scroll you stupid boy, he¡¯s looking at a marketing piece! Said Larry who was getting increasingly annoyed as this shenanigan continued. ¡°I just¡­ r-r-really want this¡­scroll¡­ of unending meteor storms¡± I said slowly. Rhua having none of it continued trying to talk to the girl who called herself Silana. ¡°Silana, do you remember anything? ¡°Just¡­bright light¡­ very bright ¡­ light¡± her reply just seems to cause us more worry. ¡°She¡¯s talking about the art that occurred at the manor, I think we need to try this again when she¡¯s sobered up, she could be saying things that aren¡¯t quite what she thinks is real¡± Rhua said, Wardi nodding in agreement. ¡°Not yet, let me try to talk to her again before anything else, Silana, I¡¯m Lucy, these are my friends¡± Lucy said. ¡°Hi Lucy ¡­ and FRIENDS!¡± Silana responded with glee. ¡°We want to help you, please come with us and rest a while then we can talk more tomorrow, come on¡± her hand reached out and Silana stared at it intently. ¡°Lucy is KIND and has a GIANT HAT FRIEND ¡­I WILL GO¡­WITH YOU HEEEEE.¡± Wardi ushered everyone out and Larry quickly followed us. ¡°Remember! She¡¯s a patient for Barry in case anyone asks¡± Wardi said aloud. ¡°And this one just had one drink too many¡± he followed up with laughing and pointing to me at his back. The Peek While Sleep Inn was not so far, and we paid to use the dining room as it was after hours. ¡°They¡¯re starting to sober up now¡± I heard Rhua say, though the silver spoon on my plate was the shiniest thing I ever did see, as I held it up and the light reflected its priceless beauty, this is a spoon that just doesn¡¯t compare to any other spoon. ¡°Is THAT what usually happens with nar...NARCOTICS? Horace piped up. ¡°For this one yes, some just gave you fake energy with a huge crash when it wore off along with some infamous mood swings, others made you lose all control, all sense of pain too Rhua said. See if the fizzay bottle gets him going¡± Wardi said to which Lucy pulled out the bottles. ¡°Seems they¡¯ve noticed¡± said Rhua. Before me laid the most beautiful thing the universe ever created¡­ Loichee cr¨¨me. The soda floated on a cloud; ribbons tied around it by little cherubs. The pink bottle shone brightly against the dankness of the wooden walls of the tavern, my heart erupted as it floated closer landing into my hand the cap came off by itself, it knows, it¡¯s all knowing of course it is, only the gods could make a drink so perfect. ¡°Is he narrating all this?¡± said Lucy, ¡°Think maybe he will need a little more time to get over the effects¡± said Wardi. ¡°Greetings your highness, it is an honour to be held in your presence, please, you should drink of thy nectar sweet prince, let it rejuvenate you, you and your friends too.¡± Yes, I said, I will not disappoint you, I could never. I take the bottle and raise it, ¡°Cheers¡± I say to the universe, and I press the bottle to my lips. So much flavour, the creaminess and the light sparkling of the soda¡­washing it down I feel euphoric, a pleasure not felt in a long time, who knew paradise was a in a bottle. Lucy gave Silana a noet horn filled with the schmuu and gurdb?r jam, she held it in her hands with her eyes wide open. ¡°What is ¡­ this!?¡± she began sobbing at the tasty looking food staring back at her. ¡°It¡¯s called a gurder-schmorn Silana, go on give it a try!¡± as she stared at the food, suddenly a face formed in the jam, and a small pair of arms formed, and the hands came together in a prayer-like fashion. It looked at Silana, I beg of you, please, I have a family, spare me so I can be there for my children! Silana stared intently, drool dangling, she took a bit of the gurder-schmorn, and her entire world lit up with sunshine and rainbows. ¡°D-DECLIOUS!¡± she said. Her world view was vastly different to the massacre the rest of the group just witnessed as she ravaged the food flinging the red jam around and snarling like a wild animal. ¡°That was not a pretty sight¡± said Wardi raising an eyebrow with concern. Silana drank from her fizzay bottle and appeared to sober up almost immediately, this time she was calm, maybe she was just hungry on an unnatural level, and it made her go a little crazy said Wardi who used his scan ability to see if he could understand Silana a little more¡­ Target cannot be scanned at your level. ¡°What? Cannot be scanned at my level!? Are you taking the ***S who is this chick? Wardi thought to himself. He wanted to try and talk to her more and so approached her. ¡°Silana¡± he said, and she looked up almost immediately, he got on his knees to be more at her eye level hoping it would be a smart tactic. ¡°I¡¯m Wardi, it¡¯s nice to meet you¡± he said giving her a thumbs up. ¡°Hello¡­.it is nice to meet you Wardi¡± Silana said whilst giving him a thumbs up back. Wardi pulled out his bosh and activated it. ¡°What is he doing that for said Lucy to Rhua angrily, Rhua stopped her and said just wait, that gift takes a hell of a toll on him, he wouldn¡¯t do that without a reason after all. The seals formed in the air and disappeared, the scales slowly formed in the air and then fell behind Silana. ¡°Do you feel safe Silana? We are strangers to you in a land that is foreign¡± Wardi said. ¡°I was scared, maybe still am, but you and your friends been kind to me, and try help¡± Said Silana causing Wardi notice the scales did not react. ¡°Do you think Silana is your name? Who you are¡± he asked again this time she looked confused ¡°I¡¯m Silana, that¡¯s all I member Wardi.¡± ¡°Do you remember anything besides what we asked you earlier? He immediately followed up with hoping to catch her off guard. No new for me to say.¡± She turned around and noticed the strange contraption behind her ¡°What is that Wardi?¡± Wardi was beyond shocked that someone for the first time, was able to see the scales and not only that but the scales were completely unresponsive. He looked over to Rhua and his face worried her ¡°He¡¯s a little scared¡± said Rhua to Lucy, Lucy noticed Rhua clutching her shield tightly. ¡°You see what Silana?¡± Wardi said and Silana replied ¡°The thing here, you see too¡± she said, and he flinched, the scales began to vibrate. ¡°Those strange thing¡­formed in the air, when silver thing open, they made this¡± her words began to cause the scales to shake until they cracked and began disappearing. ¡°Yes¡± he said hesitantly, it¡¯s a special device, it lets me find out if people are honest or not¡± ¡°What it figures bout me? she asked chipperly. ¡°Nothing, it didn¡¯t react, or more like it wasn¡¯t capable of reacting¡± he said shakingly. ¡°Sorry I disappointed you Mr Wardi¡± Silana said awkwardly laughing. ¡°Come on now, let¡¯s just eat the rest of our food and drinks then get some sleep. ¡°Yeah, I agree¡± I replied to Wardi, now empowered by the greatest energy drink ever made. Wardi broke from his worries upon hearing my voice ¡°Welcome back to the land of productivity you dirty user!¡± he joked. ¡°Worth it¡± I said fuelled by the energy I haven¡¯t had for a long time. Wardi forgot what the drink did so I reminded him, checking the notebook and saying it aloud as he necked his bottle of Strawnarna Bonanza Fizzay. *One time use grants you energised tomorrow status. You will sleep properly and recover fully rejuvenated and gain the following benefits for a full 24 hours; Buzzinated. You can pinpoint any targets weakness and gain +50 to strength and agility; Race exclusive to those from Terra.* ¡°That¡¯s the good stuff¡± he said. ¡°Come on, let¡¯s finish up and head to bed¡± Rhua said still clutching her shield tightly. ¡°Lucy you should stay with Silana she¡¯s most comfortable with you¡± Rhua said to her ¡°I agree, I¡¯ll let you know if anything happens!¡± What a day I said to myself upon entering my room. The bed has never looked so appealing, and I¡¯ll sleep like a baby tonight. As soon as my head touched the pillow I was out like a light. ¡°Wardi it¡¯s me¡± said Rhua knocking at his door. ¡°Are you ok? you know after what happened earlier? ¡°I was fine until my little one to one interview with a certain blue haired small person¡± said Wardi. ¡°She saw it you know¡­the scales, I¡¯ve never encountered someone that could before, it shocked me, and her reaction was so non-cholent about it¡± he followed up with. ¡°That is a surprise, but maybe it¡¯s nothing to be a concerned about, perhaps we are under an undetectable weakness, we did consume a small shops worth of potions one after the other. ¡°Maybe¡± said Wardi shaking his head in response. ¡°Nothing happened besides that, c¡¯mon let¡¯s just get some rest already, will talk to you in the morning. Chapter 10 - Cruelty and the comedown I awoke the next morning, feeling what I can only describe as alive and just breathing. My brain was being pressed and flattened by something other than schmavity and, if I had a wife, I¡¯d tell her ¡°Look after the kids and don¡¯t think about finding anyone else, it¡¯s til death do we part¡­ and the rest, welcome to 2024 dear. #progressivism #live love laugh. I can only imagine what our new blue haired companion is feeling being 4/10th my size...ish. Gathering my things and trying not to keel over, a fourth wind helped me stumble through the room and to the door. Horace was waiting outside for me smiling, away and giving me a thumbs up, of course I returned the gesture, it is rude not to. We join up and he tells me that everyone else has gathered for elevenses since it is midday now. Well, that¡¯s just FANTASTIC I thought in my head. The group sat at a table in the corner, eating and chatting away. Our new companion was doing exceptionally well diving into the schmuu cream and gurdb?r jam. And that is when I remembered¡­ and a side of me that was long gone resurfaced. ¡°Lucyyyyyy¡± I said dusting the floor with my foot. She looked up surprised, nobody had noticed that me and Horace had entered the eating hall of the inn until now. ¡°How are you today young sir, are you feeling better after last night?" she said. ¡°Yes, deary thank you deary, but Lucy~¡± I repeated. ¡°Can I have my Cranky Jay flapper please~.¡± She laughed and asked, ¡°Why I am speaking like a kid?¡± and then threw the grain bar at me. ¡°Because you¡¯re the best in the whole wide world Lucy~¡± Wardi put his head in his hands and Rhua just shook her head to say ¡°idiot.¡± Jokes on them, these things are unbelievably good, and the effects are top tier: Doubles the rate of all learning, physical training, and rate of recovery for 24 hours. Immunity to status ailments for 12 hours. Is what the others told me it does, but im just eating it because it¡¯s DELICIOUS. I took a bite, and I could hear the smooth jazz music erupt in the back of my mind, velvety vinella goodness begins melting on my tongue. Dancing and swaying, beckoning me further. That brown body and blonde locks, they could haunt my dreams forever, nothing compares to you, my love-that-shall-not-be-named. A crumb tumbles down from my mouth and rolls down crashing into my armour, fragmenting, little bits hit my boot¡¯s, others fall to the floor, the rest cling to my attire. The rush is intense as it activates, surging quickly, it is euphoric. This moment, this collision¡­ I shudder from the excitement. A romance that never was, ended by a swift and brutal punch to the gut. ¡°Sorry about that¡± I said ¡°Every damn time he gets one of those, he starts being the world¡¯s biggest creep¡± says Rhua angrily. ¡°They just taste so damn good though, Wardi gets it, he loves them too¡± of course Wardi denies it in the moment but whilst the rest of the group focuses on me, he leans back, looks at my direction and nods in a way only a connoisseur would give. I had noticed a little too late that I was no longer holding the snack, and it was casually halfway across the room being carried by ¡­what appeared to be a part lek part¡­dafdil¡­thing? Perhaps the comedown is still affecting me or Rhua¡¯s punch travelled much further than it should have and maybe I¡¯m dying. I thought to myself. ¡°We should go find the Von¡¯s after eating, I want to know how they are doing after such a traumatic series of events¡± said Lucy, troubled by thinking of the victims and the fighting. Rhua nodded and spoke ¡°Certainly won¡¯t forget that in a hurry, but it will be alright, we can back up Broekslang if necessary, but I don¡¯t think it will come to that.¡± Let¡¯s hope so¡­ he does not deserve any punishment; it is not his fault that he was manipulated¡± Said Wardi. ¡°What happened? You hide a thing from me while I sleep?¡± said Silana ¡°Don¡¯t worry kid¡± I patted her on the shoulder, ¡°bad ¡­stuff happened unexpectedly, man was tricked by evil things there, evil things gone now, we beat them up¡± I said, feeling more prehistoric Terrahuum by the second. Silana seemed to believe my words, well I assume so because she almost immediately resumed eating like a feral animal. Food was finished as quickly as it appeared, and we set off towards the town guard¡¯s quarters. Larry informed Lucy that Broekslang had been held there for-safety purposes on the off chance he went another round of mayhem. Surprisingly Emcee had taken it upon herself to speak to him personally, judging by the huge aura emanating around the area, she was going to get answers whether he suffered or not. Frank spotted us heading over. ¡°Iawn conts¡± he said joyfully we all looked at each other confused and he had a disappointed look on his face ¡°expand your minds, learn a new language occasionally¡± he grunted. The boss is already in there talking with your mate Broeksod, judging by what I heard he¡¯s probably still alive he said laughing. ¡°Right¡­good¡± said Wardi on behalf of everyone. Pushing past Frank, Curly was sat in the corner chatting amongst the guards and carried at this point it was better to just continue towards the cells than to get terrible comments thrown at us again. The aura seen from outside, was much stronger as we got closer to it, well at least for me it was, likely a side effect of not joining the system. ¡°Took you lot long enough, get in here¡± boomed the voice of Emcee. Broekslang appeared to have had a few accidents during his ¡®talks¡¯ with Emcee. He cried out with Oh and Ah¡¯s, sitting with his back against the wall. Blood came from his face down to the floor, the bruising was dazzling purple along his left arm and the aroma in the air hummed of the TPS¡¯s that¡¯s Tears, pee, and shiitake oh my days that smells bad! Trying to hold my breath whilst the thought popped into my head and my eyes twitching at the fumes. Lucy was the most shaken and unfortunately for her nervously cracked speaking first. ¡°H-hey¡± she stumbled out with. ¡°Everything ooo-ok in hhh-here?¡± she followed up. ¡°Of course, just making sure, he ain¡¯t able to hulk out again, if there is one thing I love, it¡¯s an excuse to bury something¡± ¡°HA¡± Curly laughed heartedly in the background after hearing that. ¡°So¡­you just wailed on him over and over? No questions about what happened?¡± Said Rhua. Uncomfortable, overwhelming, the silence in the air was crushing yet curly was still grunting away in the background. ¡°He knows me well enough so why the fook would I ask, if he were gonna say something important, he would have cracked before I started. Did you listen to me before!?¡± Emcee was furious and had a whiff of unhinged about her, a boot was being taking off rapidly and it then headed straight at Rhua, THUD. The boot would have hit her shield had it not been intercepted and caught by the shortest and most rotund member of the Koanit tribe I¡¯ve ever laid eyes on. ¡°Should use spear Emcee hwahwa, much stronger than boot¡± it said. The chances of being in the same room as a tenny are low, but two of them¡­ is there some unofficial reunion going on here in Et Navn¡± Wardi said with a smile on his face. ¡°Oh Stonker! Sapnin with you bud? Emceee said with a personality shift that would alarm any doctor. Stonker let out a piercing honk, noticing Broekslang casually slipping away mentally, and threw what looked like red sludge slapping him in the face and he almost immediately began recovering from emcee¡¯s play time. Cuts were sealed, bruises were fading, the smell still lingered so you can¡¯t have it all I thought to myself. ¡°Slimy stuff same as good-good potion hwahwa said Stonker¡± *Translation ¨C ¡°The red sludge has the same healing and recovery potential as a potion for those in the high rankings.¡± ¡°Emcee, you hear? BIG sounds in Nitan state, huge battle happen, many rankers!¡± he followed up with. Curious to his words she replied with a raised brow and spoke back. ¡°Battle? Rankers? Tell me everything¡± not before she conjured a huge wind ability blowing the roof off and us with it then the roof slamming back upside down. Stolen novel; please report. We landed back at Von manor, dust scattering from the ruins when the wind passed through from our impact, which was certainly was not something I needed whilst still on this comedown. ¡°Gee, what a kind and gentle character she is!¡± Rhua shouted aloud ¡°Good thing we are too far for her to hear that¡± Said Wardi. Broekslang recovered fastest due to still being under the effects of the sludge. ¡°Gosh, bless that small little Koanit, it felt like I would meet my maker even quicker than that thing that was in my home¡± Broekslang said getting himself up off his feet with a little effort, ¡°These bones are too old for a fall like that¡± he followed up with. Brushing the dust off himself he explained to the party that the guards were under orders take his wife and daughter to stay with Larry whilst he was to be interrogated by Emcee regarding the incident. And being under the influence he has no recollection of anything from when the drug was secretly given to him; it¡¯s all a blur, and that¡¯s when Emcee really started blasting him hard. Larry along with the ladies of the house make an appearance as Broekslang finished speaking. Skankerella ran to try and find him some fresh clothing to replace the blood and dirt riddled outfit he had on, whilst the lady darted at her husband and held him tightly. It was hard not to crack a smile at a sweet little segment in life, it¡¯s been a while since a moment like this happened for us. ¡°It¡¯s not over dear, life will go on for us we can rebuild it all, come on, let us dry those tears; the garden is still in good shape, let¡¯s enjoy the greenery as a family¡± Said Broekslang passionately. ¡°Thank you for everything friends, I will give each of you coin and supplies and replace all your equipment¡¯s it is the least I can do for all that you did for us this family¡± he said. Noticing Hans walking alongside Larry, he instructed him to gather the rewards for us and he began conducting his lord¡¯s instructions immediately and with a grin on his face. ¡°Be a while before things go back to normal, I doubt anyone that saw the light and noises going off in Et-Navn will be reluctant to want visit anytime soon.¡± said Larry. ¡°By the way, before I forget, got a request for you lot from Barry¡± Lary pulled a parchment out of his bag and handed it to me. ¡°I Dr A.I, humbly requests adventurers to¡­¡± Oh no not one of these¡± I said. Having already experienced one too many of these in this new life already Wardi, Horace and Rhua already knew what was coming. ¡°Not a MONSTER SLAYIN MATERIAL GATHERING FETCH QUEST WITH DELIVERY¡± boomed Horace with belligerent moaning. ¡°What bad with that request?¡± said Silana with a curious tone. As if I didn''t feel rough as sandpaper as it is, this just further my suffering: Monster slaying, material gathering, fetch quest, with delivery *sigh* They''re monotonous! Repetitive! Sending you to deal with, the stuff, which is rather, quite often than not -On their DOOR-STEPS! It''s only a job, just one wee little job, that¡¯s easy for you to say, we''ve done this since the early days! But these take it, one step further, that place It''s scumville, the monsters trash holes! We''ll be there Til we feel old, give us anything but, a, monster slaying, fetch with delivery QUEST~. ..."I don''t get but ok" a confused and bewildered Silana says to Lucy. "Me too, this is a new experience, I''m wondering when exactly they had the time to practice a singing a song together..." Lucy says with a more a impressed look on her face, but with a hint of curiosity about it. "Bravo friends! But now that''s over, this is an important request for you. Dr A is a bit of chasm fanatic, but she''s alienated herself from the scene, usually the case when you come across deranged in front of others.¡± Said Larry. ¡°Hmm, Dr A huh, can''t say her name is familiar, what''s special about her for Barry wanting us on the job?" Rhua asked Larry. Grinning mischievously, he replied "Perhaps you will be curious to meet a refresher" everyone''s curiosity peaked hearing this. Various responses perked up among us: ¡°No WAY!¡± piped Horace, I won''t throw a long-winded explanation at you all this time because nobody got time for that again. I¡¯m lying, of course im going to do exactly that, you know me by now! - Some sentients can evolve their class to something better than what they had if they fulfil hidden conditions. Rhua used to be an esquire, but her class evolved into a Chevalier for bravely defending her companions 3000 times. Wardi also began as esquire, but he refused to use any weapons other than rapiers which lead to him unlocking the hidden class Pranser. A new thing was discovered two years ago: classes tied to gods could lose their linkage and earn favour with other gods. This happened to a Dornam called Vendun, who refused to follow his Sharker class of providing un-manageable money lending and was offered to refresh his class to a Philanthrer providing permanent buffs each time he donates money instead. Verdun had all his growth reset including losing all his previous abilities. That¡¯s a dangerous thing when there''s an eight-year advantage for everyone else around you. There could be more but for now there''s only Verdun and now this Dr A apparently. I couldn''t help but say ¡°This has got my attention for sure.¡± ¡°You and the rest of bud, Wardi added. "What does the rest of the request say, you didn''t finish saying." said Lucy. ¡°Oh yeah¡­ sorry about that¡± I replied. ¡°I Dr A.I, humbly requests adventurers to acquire: Ironceros horn x2. Slanger venom x6. Dank Marsh puffs x10. TWO XL barrels of Tainted Kaydar sap. "Jeez, is it even worth taking this on, that''s nearly ten days-worth of work with how many of us there are! AND we would be working at a non-stop pace¡± said Wardi. ¡°The puffs are simple to get, but the Ironceros horns will take a day or two recover even with buffs, particularly when it¡¯s only the alphas that have even have the horns in the first place, I added to Wardi¡¯s statement. ¡°Could probably save time buying the sap but I doubt we''ll be able to fill a single barrel, so we will still need to harvest the rest.¡± Rhua said. ¡°If Barry''s asked for us specifically, there''s probably a reason for it, did you mention to Barry about what happened?¡± Said Wardi. ¡°I did , he''s headed to the Koan lands with the tenner¡¯s currently but will call for all the top rankers to meet to discuss your encounter. He said it sounds like some serious and worrying things are going on behind the scenes and if so that needs to.be dealt with, things are for the most part stable and we should only be doing better not taking steps back¡± replied Larry. Matter of perspective I thought, Maybe some merit to it, but we can¡¯t be jumping to conclusions things are that extreme I additionally though about. ¡°I¡¯m curious, what¡¯s happened over there, for the tenner¡¯s to be linking up for it? Said Wardi. ¡°He isn¡¯t sure, it doesn¡¯t seem like anybody really does, but don¡¯t worry about it, with them heading there it¡¯s going be resolved quick for sure¡± says Larry smiling. He¡¯s right about that at least feeling a little relieved when I think about that fact. Hans headed towards us with a cart full of gear and coins ¡°For you good friends, the lord of the house insists you take it all, and for you milady Rhua, Lord Broekslang says you should look in the armoury, there are some very suitable replacements for the full plate armour you had, and perhaps a shield or two worth taking¡± he politely informed her. ¡°Is he sure about giving away so much?¡± Said Lucy, Hans nodded then beckoned for Rhua to follow him, she looked at us flustered; with a face that said: ¡°I guess I should follow him?¡± Scanning through the cart the assorted items dazzled under the calming blue sky. Broekslang¡¯s collection of weapons and armour from the old Terra were impressive, more so when the merger happened things like these became something of a highly prized commodity, the effects were often as good the items found in Chasm. Horace came across a mortar called the Stokeys, it was an antique from Terra used in a war a long time ago, portable, lightweight but it gained entirely new functions when the merger happened. Automatically adjusts size to the owner¡¯s needs, auto maintenance so need for any repairs. It¡¯s a weapon for life, it¡¯s rare to come across something with that kind of utility. I¡¯m sure you have been wondering¡­ exactly how I lasted as long as I have without the sentient system¡­ Serilia did allow me a caveat, I can get the effects from any gear and items I wear or use, I just can¡¯t read what the effects are myself. But, since I have these cool people in my life, I¡¯ve always got a way to find out. And! I came across these bad boys. Holding the gloves up in the light of the Manor. The Shao sap gloves. I won these in a game of Ele-manna-go not long after the merger. The gloves are so unassuming and boring to look at which makes them appealing to thieves. The wearer automatically gains knowledge to wield and fight with high proficiency any weapon they can physically hold. And the gloves have a secret feature once equipped. *The glove effect cannot be scanned to see this effect until removed* Pretty neat don¡¯t you think? I can feel the comedown has only gotten worse since you had to read this little ZING-ZING-ZINGERONI! It¡¯s sure been a while since one of those ey¡­will this comedown ever end I thought. Needed to provide some notes on things Maliterr ¨C the new world Terra ¨C the old world of Terrahuums Malicore - the other old world Chin you and your mum ¨C I¡¯ll headbutt you and your mum Impie - humanoid with a big grinning head and spring legs they are also ''Greys'' not official an race nor an official monster. Tusen Atoll ¨C Tusen means one thousand in Norwegian. An atoll is a small ring island surrounded by a lagoon apparently, I just thought it meant island, so I learned something to. Rizianity ¨C Christianity Ulam - Islam Daism - Judaism Hanuism ¨C Hinduism Boduism ¨C Buddhism Tammaro ¨C Like a tomato only, it¡¯s a vegetable not a fruit Cranky Jay¡¯s ¨C A cereal grain food bar that is delicious Fizzay Pops ¨C A carbonated beverage that everyone needs to try. Find this and other great novels on the author''s preferred platform. Support original creators! Loichee cr¨¨me ¨C A creamy Lychee flavoured soda / pop / fizzy drink. The best flavour Serilia ¨C Goddess and head of the godly realm G.I.T ¨C Gods in training. Godly relations (GR) ¨C like human relations (HR) but in the gods realm Piripirihelios ¨C Piri piri is a type of chill, Helios is the mythological god of the sun. get it? It¡¯s a hot sun¡­ Shreplegees ¨C a play on Betelgeuse the red super giant star Billiards ¨Clike pool or snooker Kaha ¨CPower L¨´th - Mana Buurd ¨C a play on the word bird 2.0 Sentient System¨Cinstalled on worlds that lets it¡¯s inhabitants have access to ways to surpass their natural limits by taking classes and levelling up. Fenreer ¨C an animal god like Fenrir only not the same for legal reasons, Tatoe- vegetable that is potato in flavour and toe in shape Tatoes ¨C multiple toe shaped, potato flavoured vegetables Fungoiz ¨C a play on the word: Fungi. Fungoiz is like saying funguys or FUNGOIZ, just with an accent. Alright don¡¯t laugh then, go read something else. King Blau ¨Cking of Castle Un Nom G¨¦n¨¦rique one of the few from Malicore that has come from a royal line. If HE duz tha again, aye will smash im ard enuf tha Dornam wull F^&*un ere it! ¨C Translation: If he shouts again and scares my customers, I¡¯m going to hit him so hard the Dornam people in the north will hear it. ¡°Aye woll, luk, am sorreh, biznes been shet lately, am on tha brunk of branchin off inteh less moral, moar dangerus thangs, no ard feels Horace, Woll sort yaz a bag of svine scratchers on tha hus¡± - Translation. Oh, well. Horace I¡¯m sorry for what I said. Business has been bad lately, and I¡¯m desperate for money. I¡¯m having to consider illegal routes to get more. Don¡¯t take what I said personally. Will get you a bag of deep-fried animal fat parts to eat as a sorry gift. Shellnet ¨C a messaging app designed for the sentient system HVA I HELVETE ¨C What in the hell in Norwegian Wolke Streit ¨C badly translates as cloud strife, don¡¯t sue me SE Ribbos ¨C Really big frogs ¡°GET TEH FAYCK¡± ¨C get the f out of here