Chapter 88 (LXXXVIII) Different Paths

The two exited the black market silently; Megan was shocked to learn that Jackson's life had drastically changed after departing the orphanage. She stared at his broad shoulders admirably as she walked behind him carrying the small wolf puppy.

The pair were the last ones to arrive at the inn, where Malina had reserved the group a large loft for the night at Jackson's request.

"About time!" Alijah shouted, rising up from the couch as the triplets sat in separate chairs. The room was expansive, with a small hallway connecting the three bedrooms.

A small kitchenette and island with stools surrounding it were nestled in the corner as bright polished hardwood floors shined throughout the loft. The entire exterior wall was massive windows with thick velvet drapes drawn closed.

"In that case, I should return everything I bought for you then..." Jackson scoffed, swatting her feet off the couch as he sat down, placing the covered cage next to his feet before pulling his Gobbii Bag into his lap.

"So... you don't mind not receiving this, then?" She smirked, flicking her wrist as a black envelope appeared in her fingers. He rolled his eyes, scoffing as he snatched the letter from her before she could react, exclaiming, "Hey!"

"Zip it!" He scoffed, placing it on the seat beside him before reaching into the Gobbii Bag, pulling out the skillbook and daggers, and handing them to her, "Here! Since you and Megan will spend a lot of time together soon, you two can practice the Movement and Core Skillbooks."

"I also got you this!" Jackson replied, grabbing the cage and pulling it into his lap, pulling the sheet off, revealing the small ferret, "He'll be a perfect partner for you!"

What do you mean..?" Megan asked, stepping forward with the small wolf puppy following on the leash beside her as the triplets squealed and ran ahead, grabbing the puppy as they huddled around.

"Why does she get a cute puppy, and I get a stinky ferret?" Alijah asked, leaning forward as she stared at the small stoat as it turned invisible and then began jumping, doing a small war dance as it reappeared.

"You two will also need to practice this." Jackson added, ignoring both of the young women's questions, reaching into his bag, pulling out the Spirit Summoning Skilbook, and placing it on top of the other Skillbook.

"...Are you going somewhere..?" Megan uneasily asked, staring at him

with concern.

"We're all going to need to split up here; we all have different paths we each need to take before we are able to reunite." Jackson sighed before forcing a smile at everyone, rubbing the back of his neck.

"What!?" The triplets exclaimed in unison, stepping forward as the middle sister held the puppy in her arms.

"We all have different destinations and goals to accomplish..." He explained, staring at each of the women seriously as he sternly spoke, "Alijah and Megan, you two will need to take a Manga-Grav Shuttle to Vilewaters and expand Overgeared before taking an airship to Freywatch.

You will need to train hard until you reach the city, take your assessments, enter the tower, and reach Ilasa Port before establishing a guild headquarters.

Abigail, Bella, and Julia, you three will need to finish building our workshop here and recruiting graduates from The Gilded Forge. The renovations should be complete in a few weeks, so you'll have plenty of time to prepare.

You'll need to train them as well as communicate with Alijah and me to send established craftsmen to posts at our new locations as they spring up."

"What are you going to be doing while we're all busting our asses?" Alijah asked in a huff, crossing her arms as she glared at him.

"There are some things I'll need to handle here before I leave, but I'll take a shuttle to Paradise Falls in the East in The Withermarshes and establish a branch there before I enter God's Tower and reach the fifteenth floor."

"Who knows how long it will take you to get there?" She scoffed, rolling her eyes.

"Didn't you say you couldn't join a guild..? Why are Alijah and I going to Freywatch?" Megan asked.

"I won't be joining the guild. It will be run by you, Meg." Jackson replied, "You will be the Guild Master, and Alijah will oversee the Overgeared stores to finance the guild and workshop, while Abigail, Bella, and Julia lead the workshop, training craftsmen and women to take the materials I provide to create equipment."

"What!?!" Megan exclaimed, visibly recoiling at the bombshell announcement, "Jax, I can't run a guild! I'm not strong enough!"

"That's why you and Alijah must train hard and get as strong as possible before you reach Freywatch. The first four floors are solo, but you can join and create a group once you reach Ilasa Port." Jackson explained, spreading his arms with a smile, "I have given you both everything you need to succeed; all that's left is to follow through."

"Easier said than done..." Alijah muttered under her breath, turning away.

"What'd you say?" He glared at her, crossing his arms as she exclaimed, waving her hands repeatedly with a shocked expression.

"Nothing!"

"Anyways..." Jackson said, standing up, "Since we don't have much time, let's go out and enjoy the night off!"

"Yay!" The five women yelled together, throwing their hands into the air with smiles across their faces.

Jackson grinned at everyone before everyone departed the inn, heading out to the market district, everyone finding new clothes to wear for the night.

After the brief shopping trip, everyone returned as the women all excitedly ran off to the women's hot spring to get ready, leaving Jackson alone to relax in the men's springs.

Later they gathered before returning to The Wicked Candle for a long night of drinks and food. Everyone partied late into the night, enjoying their youth, not knowing this would be the last time they would see each other for the following year...