Book One Chapter Forty Two: Rockie-o and Julie-rivet

Book One Chapter Forty Two: Rockie-o and Julie-rivet

Sure, the Chosen One replied, unconcerned by the fact that their only exit had been cut off. He seemed similarly unconcerned by the fact that there didnt appear to be any other exits or doorways in this laboratory. Despite its massive size, it still didnt come close to accounting for the whole house.

There must be secret entrances! Qube realised. Perhaps from moving a bookcase or one of the colourful jars? Qube had never actually encountered a hidden doorway, but it was almost as much of a staple of adventures as inns.

It was only her extreme dedication to the quest that stopped her from pulling a Chosen One and ignoring the human to go exploring for secret passageways.

Speaking of which, the Chosen One was flat out ignoring the speaker and already rummaging around the room.

I am the Constructor, the man said, staring at the Hero attempting to put a rack of test tubes inside his backpack. I made my children to be industrious and assist me in my great works. Instead, they waste their time getting into petty arguments, and their neglect is causing me to fall behind!

Look! Look, I can open them! the Chosen One cried in excitement as he managed to pry open a jar with several eyeballs in it. Oh, they feel so slimy, he said, fishing a large, red eyeball out and staring at it. The eyeball stared back.

I wonder if I can he closed his fist around the eyeball and it popped, gushing goo all over his hand.

Oh! Oh, gross! The Chosen One waved his hand furiously, sending the goo flying. That was disgusting. But very cool. Can you do that with every jar? He poured the jar out onto the ground, and watched the various eyeballs roll around in the puddle. That is an insane level of detail, he said, awestruck.

The Hero of Alls boon companions watched as their Saviour poked the loose eyeballs with the tip of his boot, before stepping on them.

Sewer Bard was the first to turn back to the Constructor.

What ails you, humble Constructor? Sewer Bard asked, sweeping a formal bow. To his left, the Chosen One was having various vials of coloured liquids snatched off of him by Qube.

Stop trying to drink them! Qube snapped, grabbing another.

The Constructor couldnt seem to decide whether he should look at the Chosen One or Sewer Bard. His solution appeared to be looking at both of them at the same time, making him rather walleyed.

I made them with natural affinities to their own kind, the Constructor explained.

How else will I know whats in them? Im not getting any labels! the Chosen One protested as he tried to keep a bright blue vial out of Qubes reach.

But something has gone wrong. Instead of merely being interested in working with their own materials, as I intended, they have started harassing the other constructs made of different matter!

You can just ask me! I have [Identify]! Qube went bright red at her public proclamation of her spell ability.

It seems that some, at least, have overcome their unnatural distaste for other constructs, Sewer Bard said, smiling slightly. It is most touching to witness.

Sexy Screamy Spider Lady nodded, her and her childrens eyes misting over.

Its so romantic, she said, almost wistfully.

Well then [identify] it! I want to know what it is!

I will; just stop trying to drink them!

The Constructor ignored the squabble occurring between the Chosen One and his Childhood Companion, and, for the first time, focused fully on Sewer Bard.

I needed someone who was clever enough to solve this problem. That is why I made it so anyone who wanted to reach me had to pass a series of rigorous tests. By making it to me, you have proven yourself worthy of fixing this issue!

The Chosen One, who had solved precisely none of the puzzles, was busy climbing up a half-built metal construct and prying a golden metal coin out of its chest cavity. Qube, meanwhile, was busy trying to [identify] as many vials as she could before he came back down.

If you made them in the first place, can you not just Sewer Bard paused, as if searching for the right words, can you not just remake them, so they dont fight?

Sewer Bard, theyre his children, Qube hissed. You cant just suggest he kills all his children and make new ones! Thats not how parenthood works!

Sewer Bard tilted his head as he tried to make out what Qube had been saying.

But its not like theyre human, or human adjacent, he protested.

Theyre still people, Qube replied. You cant kill people just because theyre not doing what you want!

The rest of the party shuffled about rather awkwardly at that. Qube frowned at them.

We havent killed people, she said.

Sexy Screamy Spider Lady tapped a claw to her fangs thoughtfully.

My darling Healer has a point, she conceded eventually. The closest we came was when I killed those little Bandits desire to get in our way.

Everything seemed to slow as Qubes training kicked into gear.

[Lesser Shield]! she cried, her spells silvery mana springing up just before the metal blade could touch Slates exposed chest.

Quite what a metal blade would have done to a stone construct, Qube wasnt sure, but, after the fire elemental debacle, she wasnt about to find out.

Ms. Mags blade snapped as it slammed into Qubes shield. She looked at her hand in confusion. Slates mother started wailing.

My son! Youve killed my beautiful son! she cried, sinking to her knees.

Slate, still safe inside the shield, looked down at his mother.

What? he said intelligently.

Zincy also started crying, a high-pitched, mournful keening sound.

My Slate! My rock! My immovable love!

I love you too, my Zincy-winky, Slate said.

I cannot live in a world without him! she declared tearfully.

I cant live without you either, my forged heart, Slate sighed at her.

Come, happy poison, let me join my Slate! Zincy cried, pulling a bright green vial out the front of her corset. Everyone in the plaza (except for Slate and the party) gasped at the sight of it.

Zincy, darling, no! Ms. Mags screamed, reaching for her daughter.

To eternity with my Slate! Zincy sobbed, and gulped down the liquid. There was a beat of silence. Suddenly she started spasming, toxic-green looking foam bubbling at her lips, steam violently hissing as it poured out of her joints, her cries now garbled and disjointed.

Qube surged forward, grabbing Zincys arm. [Minor Cleanse]! she shouted. She had no idea what a cleansing spell designed for mortals would do to metal, or what the poison that Zincy had ingested was, but she had to try.

Wait, whats happening? Sewer Bard looked frantically back and forth between the lovers.

Chosen One, someone, tell her that Slate is just fine! Qube ordered, and her mana injected itself directly into the construct. Zincys twitching increased, her limbs flailing wildly as the spell took effect. Her eyes rolled back in her head, and she threw off a few sparks before suddenly snapping into a standing pose.

My Zincy-winky! Slate said urgently. Qube cringed, expecting him to rush at them.

Oh, Slate, Zincy said lovingly, and sighed.

Oh, Zincy, Slate said lovingly, and sighed.

The [Lesser Shield] dimmed, and flickered out.

Oh, Slate, Zincy said lovingly, and sighed. Again.

Oh Zincy, Slate repeated, equally as lovingly. And then sighed just as heavily.

The adventuring party stood in that tableau for a moment, as the whole town seemed frozen. For a second, it seemed like a crisis had been averted. Maybe now the Chosen One could try and talk some sense into them, Qube thought hopefully.

My baby! Ms. Mags screamed.

You! Slates mother bellowed, rising to her feet. She pointed at Ms. Mags with terrible purpose. You killed my son!

Ms. Mags snarled in hatred, stepping away from her perfectly healthy daughter.

You forced my daughter to die! she hissed. The two mothers squared off.

This means war! they declared at the exact same moment.

Oh, Slate, Zincy said lovingly, and sighed.

Oh, Zincy, Slate said lovingly, and sighed.

The Chosen One looked at Qube, still standing with her hand on Zincys arm. She gave him a sheepish smile. His expression was a mix of horror and glee.

This. Is. Chaos! he said, and laughed as metal and stone alike drew their weapons.