Book One Chapter Twenty Two: Off Script Error

Book One Chapter Twenty Two: Off Script Error

Definitely Bad Guy stared steadily for a few minutes at Qubes invisible self. She had expected him to run around doing various tests, but instead he just sat, and looked. After a while, it was a tiny bit uncomfortable.

There is only one person in the world who is more powerful than I. Definitely Bad Guy said eventually. He drummed his fingers on the arm of his chair. But why would he make someone invisible? Unless this is some kind of test.

He jumped up to his feet and began pacing back and forth in front of Qube. Qube gave him her strongest Encouraging Smile, in the hopes that it would somehow help him.

I cannot see through it. But I wonder. Definitely Bad Guy pivoted on his foot and faced Qube. His hand shot out, and hit Qube directly in the chest, knocking her back and out of the circle.

Ah! I can see the scuff marks in the circle! It seems I can affect the subject, even if I cannot personally feel it. Definitely Bad Guys eyes pulsed. Lets test how far that goes.

A giant fireball appeared above his right hand as he sighted up where the salt had scattered to, zeroing in on where Qube had been knocked back to.

Qube was starting to question their potential friendship.

[Lesser Shield]! Qube cried out just before the fireball hit her. The fireball exploded around her shield, blasting the furniture to the sides and blowing out the windows.

What are you doing? She yelled at Definitely Bad Guy as she scrambled backwards, her shoes smearing the soot on the floor. Definitely Bad Guy followed the marks on the floor, although he still seemed unable to see Qube or her shield. He approached her as she backed up, his stride filled with terrible purpose as a dark red blade appeared in his hand.

It appears the subject was not injured by the attack. Interesting. Every time I try to look directly at it, I experience substantial pain.

Qubes back hit the wall, and she kicked away debris to try and free herself.

This is not how I wanted to learn about magic! She yelled, not caring that Definitely Bad Guy couldnt hear her. Are you even on the side of Good? Definitely Bad Guy swiped at where he thought she was, his knife slicing through thin air.

Stop! She screamed, and pushed him away only to watch in horror as he stumbled backwards and tripped out of a shattered window and fell fell fell to the bottom of the tower. She stared out of the window and winced when he hit the ground with a THUMP.

Oh no. This was so much worse than the other times shed pushed people off of buildings.

Qube raced down the stairs, grabbing the bottom of her robes so she wouldnt trip and fall.

Please dont be dead. She chanted as she ran. Please dont let me have killed someone. Please dont let me have killed someone destined to help the Chosen One save the world. Please dont let me have doomed the entire world just because someone wanted to stab me a little. Please-please-please no dead.

By the time she hit the bottom level, she was almost convinced shed led to the death of everyone in the kingdom. She slammed open the wooden door, ignoring its confused protest, and ran out to the courtyard where shed seen Definitely Bad Guy fall.

He wasnt a bag of coins. She heaved a giant sigh of relief. She hadnt murdered the secret ally of the Exiled Prince and Princess.

She was definitely going to stop shoving people off of ledges.

Definitely Bad Guy had managed to get up onto one knee and was breathing heavily.

Im so sorry! Qube blurted out to the man that had tried to set fire to her. Please, let me heal you! [Heal]! Her silver-shaded mana leapt from her to him, instantly sinking into his skin. She smiled as the wounds started disappearing. There, all better. She said breathily.

Definitely Bad Guy started screaming.

Whats wrong? Are there more wounds? [Heal]! Qube cast again, feeling her mana reserve starting to dip. Definitely Bad Guy just screamed louder, his whole body going rigid. [Lesser Shield]! What is happening? She covered her mouth as he stared directly into her eyes, his screams hitting a fresh note. This was just like when she [Heal]ed Mother Gothel! Did that mean he was going to attack her? She took a half step back, instantly afraid.

Definitely Bad Guy cleared his throat.

No doubt to the uneducated, some of my more intensive research may appear disturbing. I assure you, all that I do is for the good of the cause.

It was kinda messed up, the Chosen One confessed to Qube. The ragdolling of the corpses when Sexy Screamy Spider Lady popped in was pretty amazing, though. They got some good air.

Qube gave the Chosen One her default Understanding Smile, mostly to cover the fact that she didnt understand what he was saying.

So did you manage to fix her? The Chosen One asked Definitely Bad Guy. Qubes Understanding Smile stiffened a little.

I am not the one who needs fixing, it was the curse that needed removing. She reminded him patiently.

I cannot remove her curse. Definitely Bad Guy said firmly. The only one who can remove a curse this powerful is the person who cast it. So, unless you wish to go and kindly ask the Evil Emperor to help you, I fear she must stay like this. Definitely Bad Guy gave Qube a sly wink as he said that. Qube, flustered by this novel experience of having someone wink at her, cranked up her Understanding Smile. She would have to tell Definitely Bad Guy not to try and flirt with her like that! Everyone knew that winking at someone was how you flirted with them! You had only to watch Sexy Screamy Spider Lady wink half her eyes at various people as she sashayed past them, her abdomen knocking them off their feet, to realise that winking was not to be trifled with!

Cool, well, we tried. Chosen One said.

You are cool? Definitely Bad Guy asked, I suppose the lack of window panes does make this place rather drafty. Shall we instead continue on our journey to the... Fire Temple I think you said?

Oh yeah. Chosen One said. Were probably gonna need fireproof gear and stuff like that. Probably from that royal bestiary we unlocked. You know what that means! He said, suddenly excited. Qube stifled a groan. Time to go shopping!

---

Qube added shopping to the list of things that she hated. It was still under platforms, but was rapidly rising up the ranks. It didnt help that shopping, according to the Chosen One, mostly consisted of her taking everything in a shop and then him selling back whatever they didnt need, thus making even a simple trip take forever.

Currently he had trapped the Beast Keeper at his table, forcing him to continue trading with them. All the other shop owners in the Royal Bestiary (of which there were a surprising amount) had long since packed up and gone home, but the Beast Keeper seemed physically unable to leave his table as long as the Chosen One stood next to him and continued selling him things.

So how do I get a special mount? The Chosen One asked the Beast Keeper, refusing to let go of the last horseshoe Qube had taken from said Beast Keeper mere hours ago. Until he released the horseshoe, it seemed that the sale was not considered done, thus Beast Keeper could not leave. A strange custom, but perhaps it had something to do with shopkeeper culture or superstition? Mr Igma had never encouraged anyone to talk to him socially, and Mr Clockwork had never discussed the finer details of business in his gossip sessions. There had always been much more interesting things to talk about.

No special mounts unless by order. The Beast Keeper repeated. Chosen One had tried asking the question several different ways, claiming the Evil Emperor had said it was ok, then that he was a close personal friend to the Exiled Prince and Princess, then that he was actually the Evil Emperor in disguise, and then just repeatedly asking, as if hoping to break the Beast Keepers patience.

But what if someone stole a special mount? What would happen then? The Chosen One suddenly changed tactics.

Wouldnt go with a thief. Im the only one who can tell the special mounts who their new owner is. And I wont do that without a royal order. The Beast Keeper said stubbornly.

Eventually, the Chosen One gave up.

Fine. He said, finally releasing the horseshoe. He looked at Sexy Screamy Spider Ladys large form, and his eyes narrowed in sudden calculation.

Maybe if I could find a saddle He said, and trailed off in thought.

Chosen One. Qube said wearily. Can we please now use the Salamander Leathers, Lava Slime Jelly etc etc and go steal fires heart? The fate of the world does depend upon it.

Fire Temple it is then. The Chosen One said, looking at the Royal Stables. But Ill be back.

The stables did not reply.