Book One Chapter Forty Four: Construct to Cobbletown

Book One Chapter Forty Four: Construct to Cobbletown

All right, let me know what happens when I start travelling towards Cobbletown, the Chosen One told Qube. Including what the others do. I wanna see how I can break this.

Are you going to oh, Qube watched as the Chosen Ones eyes glazed over and he started jogging back towards Cobbletown. The others fell into step behind him, each of them perfectly synchronized. Now that Qube wasnt worried that the Chosen One was mad at her, she was able to appreciate the sheer focus the Hero was dedicating to his meditations. Not by so much as a flicker of the eye did he acknowledge her, even when she ran ahead of him and waved her hand in front of her face.

His discipline was impressive! Sometimes she thought he wasnt taking the whole saving the world mission as seriously as he should, but moments like this reminded her that for all she had spent her life preparing to maybe be the Prophecy Approved Companion to the Chosen One, he had spent his life preparing to be the actual Chosen One. Sure, the magic may have changed him more than she would have expected, but underneath, there was clearly still the boy she had grown up with.

There was just now also someone who tried to shove their hand into a Giant Lava Slime and then vomited everywhere when it inevitably went wrong. Or ignored wolves trying to eat him when she shielded him.

Speaking of which, she wondered: what would happen if they were attacked while the Chosen One was in his near-trance? She looked around nervously. The morning suns had climbed quite high, so they should be safe from nocturnal predators. She narrowed her eyes as she caught a subtle flicker of movement ahead in the woods. If she hadn't been actively looking, she never would have noticed it.

Ambush? Bandits? Wolves?

She grabbed the Chosen Ones arm, only to have him casually avoid her touch.

Chosen One! she hissed, trying to get his attention. He ignored her. She turned to the other party members, reaching out and snagging Sewer Bards billowing sleeves. As soon as she made contact with him, he seemed to snap back to reality.

What? Sewer Bard asked, almost sleepily. He blinked groggily. It was as if he had been deeply asleep, and had needed to travel a great distance to return to consciousness.

Sewer Bard! Theres something up ahead!

Do not worry, my sweet petal. I shall protect your tender self from heads? Can you repeat that last bit? Sewer Bard said earnestly, not breaking step. He was looking slightly over Qubes shoulder as he spoke.

Now Qube thought about it, she wasnt entirely sure why she had chosen Sewer Bard of all people to wake up. Not only was he the most useless in combat, (though Qube would never judge someone for being in a support role,) but he still couldnt really see or hear her. He had just been the closest party member.

Ill go and wake up the others, she said hurriedly, as the group marched towards the potential danger.

I shall deal with these ruffians, Sewer Bard said, his suddenly aggressive tone at odds with the fact that he was still calmly jogging along with the rest.

No, no, thats quite all right, Qube said, running over to where Sexy Screamy Spider Lady was scampering along. But, before she could actually manage to catch one of the Hunters various limbs, the wolves emerged onto the road.

Magic flared within Qube as she prepared to shield the Chosen One. Just before she cast, though, she realised that there was something very odd about the wolves. They werent snarling or aggressive, instead they were just sort of wandering about. They didnt even glance in the partys direction, flowing around them like water as they continued their journey down the road.

Qube wasnt quite sure what to make of that. The only wolves she had previously met had instantly tried to kill the Chosen One. Though now she thought about it, those wolves had either been in or around the Forbidden Forest, or near their home village. Neither of which exactly got a lot of foot traffic one being magically sealed off from the world and the other cursed. Maybe these wolves were more used to people, and knew to leave them alone?

In a moment, the wolves were gone, peacefully melting back into the woods around them.

Sewer Bard looked at Qube, his face a picture of confusion. Qube, still jogging alongside him, shrugged. The rest of the trip was completed in silence, the only other scare when Sewer Bard spotted a Giant far off in the distance. Even as he cried out Giant!, the Bard didnt change pace, an example of iron will which rather raised him in Qubes esteem.

The Chosen One abruptly stopped jogging as soon as they reached the entrance of Cobbletown, the rest of the party stopping immediately. Qube only just managed to stop herself from running into Definitely Bad Guy. The Mage Advisor looked down at her, his absent expression of the jog replaced with his normal sardonic sneer.

I was thinking maybe you could go to your Wizards Tower? Qube blurted out, to avoid him noticing shed almost crashed into him. Check on your experiments? Wait, with the Evil Emperor, will there be problems, given he saw us together? I mean, not together together, but he saw us standing next to each other in the street and he obviously knows me, and you, youre his most trusted advisor of magic, but, I mean, traveling with the Chosen One and me, would you be safe? Qube lost herself in a mire of half sentences and awkwardness as Definitely Bad Guy continued to just look at her. He slowly blinked as if he was trying to parse her meaning.

I would not worry about the Evil Emperor, he said eventually. And yes, I shall go and review the progress of my experiments. My intention had been to accompany you, and thus assure your safety. While our compatriots ... are surprisingly competent, I would not trust them with such a task.

A fuzzy claw suddenly landed on Definitely Bad Guys shoulder, followed rapidly by three more as Sexy Screamy Spider Lady nuzzled up to the Mage Advisor, coyly resting her spider face against the side of his head. Her fangs leaked a little green venom down his neck.

Its fine; just take them, he said.

Not until we have his explicit permission, Qube replied.

[Take], the Chosen One ordered her. Qube flinched as the power of the Golden Prophecy closed around her like a vice. Her veins felt like they were filled with fire. She couldnt think. She could barely breathe. She staggered towards the potion shelf and felt the agony subside just a touch.

It was a direct command. She had to obey. She had to do what he ordered her to do. This was what she was trained to do. This was her purpose. This was her function.

He was watching her, bright and sharp as shattered glass.

But against that burning command a different flame sprang to life within her. She clutched it gratefully, using it to cleanse the Golden Prophecys grip on her.

No.

No, Qube said, turning and facing the Chosen One. She was almost trembling at the cost it took to do so. Within her, the two infernos raged.

No? the Chosen One repeated incredulously.

No! Im your childhood companion! What kind of guiding light would I be if I allowed the Saviour of all Human and Human-Adjacent beings to go around taking things without permission? she snapped, trying not to pant at the effort.

A pretty normal one, really, the Chosen One replied.

Qube squared her shoulders. Well I am not a normal childhood companion. I am a Prophecy Approved Companion, and that means I hold you to higher standards! You are the Chosen One! And I will not help you until you get permission!

The Chosen One was looking at her very strangely, as if he couldnt decide whether to be offended or impressed. Qube continued to steadily look him in the eye. She felt a teehee bubble up in her throat, but ruthlessly suppressed it. This was not the time to be cutesy!

Nor will I let you just steal things! she clenched her fists as she was instantly wracked with internal backlash.

Let me? The Chosen One took a step back and examined her. He gave a short laugh. Let me, he repeated softly. His eyes searched her face, for what, she wasnt sure. You really are something new, arent you? he almost whispered.

Hey, Shop Guy Mc-Scowlface, can I have this stuff? the Chosen One asked Mr. Igma.

For free, Qube prompted through gritted teeth.

For free, the Chosen One dutifully added.

...No, Mr. Igma said.

Aw [snacks], the Chosen One said casually, as if he hadnt just been revealed to be a serial thief. He looked at Qube. Uh, hes probably just too shy to say yes? he offered hopefully.

Qube gave him a flat look.

Fine, the Chosen One sighed, throwing his hands up into the air. No more exploiting you to get free goods that we can use to help save the entire world. Goods that we wouldnt even need an exploit for if shopkeepers were at all realistic and just gave me what I asked for. Me, the Hero whos gonna stop the big bad from wrecking everything or whatever. The Chosen One glared at Mr. Igma, who seemed to reflect and double the glare right back at the Hero.

...Excellent! Thank you, Chosen One, for being so willing to take my guidance on such matters! Qube exclaimed, clasping her hands together and tilting her head to the side. We really are a great team, arent we? Teehee!