Book Three Chapter Twenty Nine: Reload

Book Three Chapter Twenty Nine: Reload

Time wrapped around itself, as memories of shadows danced across Qubes vision. The sensation was familiar, and she only staggered a little when she realised they were standing outside the inn.

Thats right. Theyd come here to get the medallion to go into the Royal Library, and the Chosen One had idly swiped his hand through the Save Point before entering.

No, that wasnt right. Theyd already gone into the inn, and gotten the location to the next Temple, and then the Evil Emperor had attacked.

Qube pressed her hands against her forehead, trying to hold on to the memory of the Evil Emperor and

Definitely Bad Guy. Treason. His face as he swore loyalty to her, and her alone.

She swung around and looked at the rest of the party. The Chosen One was rubbing his chin, but everyone else looked normal. Or, well, as normal as they ever did.

Did they not remember what had just happened?

The Chosen One had only used this ability a few times, as far as Qube was aware, and she, being a person with at least some social skills, had never pressed the Hero for details it was something to do with the Golden Prophecy, and the Devs, and shed been flattered that she was special enough, and close enough to the Chosen One, to even be aware of whatever was happening.

But then, that had been before shed gotten to know the Devs a bit better. Make no mistake, she was still in awe of them, and their mind-bending power, but the reverence shed felt towards them had been tarnished enough she wasnt as starstruck anymore.

Or maybe that had just been because shed discovered just how low down the pecking order the Devs were compared to others in their realm. Shed probably still go weak at the knees for the Dev Royals. Qube knew herself well enough to know that her very logical love of Royalty would probably be extra powerful when dealing with beings who could end her entire world with a thought.

All of this flashed through her mind just long enough for her to reach out and grab the Chosen Ones bicep.

We have to save him, she pleaded. The rest of the group made various surprised noises, but she was completely focused on her not-childhood-friend. He gave her a look, as if he wasnt quite sure what to make of her statement.

I know, he promised at last, Im trying to figure out how we can avoid that whole scenario.

Avoid what? Definitely Bad Guy asked, eyeing where Qube was holding on to the Chosen One.

Yes. Qube had once had far too many social graces to ever ask about the inner workings of something as personal as a spell, and been far too trained to smooth things over to ever confront someone about their behaviour or an unpleasant truth.

That had been before shed spent months with the Chosen One.

Im not the Evil Emperors concubine, she said bluntly. Definitely Bad Guy went bright red, Sencha Bard made a strangled choking sound, and Sexy Screamy Spider Lady reared up on her legs.

Im not in love with him, Ive never spoken to him, and the first time I ever saw him was when he she swallowed hard, and felt the icey rage of her other side trying to take control. She pushed it aside. There were two sides to each coin, yes, but this was her time in the forefront. when he destroyed my village, she finished in a flat voice.

Shed never seen Definitely Bad Guy look so baffled before. The Mage snuck a glance at the Chosen One, who was frowning in concentration.

Every time you mentioned a him, I thought you were talking about the Chosen One, Qube said. I never dreamed you meant anyone else.

You thought our sweet, innocent flower was in love with that monster? Sexy Screamy Spider Lady asked Definitely Bad Guy, scorn dripping from every word.

Why were you trying to talk to her about the Evil Emperor? Sencha Bard asked, in much milder tones than the righteous outrage hed displayed when Definitely Bad Guy had been revealed to be a traitor in the forgotten future.

The Mage didnt speak for quite some time. Finally he licked his lips, and took a small step back from the group.

Definitely Bad Guy didnt look pleased by Sexy Screamy Spider Ladys apology. Instead his face, which had slowly been draining from his usual bright red to an ashy white, once more flamed into crimson.

I see now that I did, indeed, misunderstand her feelings towards the Evil Emperor, he said stiffly. I shall require some time to think through this.

Without the pressure of the Evil Emperor standing over them and Qube having one of her closest friends immediately unveiled as a traitor, and the party all primed to fight, the Mage was more cautious. A part of Qube was disappointed that he hadnt immediately sworn his loyalty to the side of Good, either through declaring his loyalty to the Chosen One or her, the Chosen Ones Childhood Companion, but she felt that, having publicly outed him, she owed him some time to think.

Will he have time to be able to think through it? Qube asked, looking at the Chosen One. She didnt want to outright ask if the Hero could think of how to avoid getting Definitely Bad Guy murdered, since that seemed rather tactless, but she didnt know how much time they had to be standing around in front of the inn before the Evil Emperor showed up. She didnt know if Definitely Bad Guy had sent a secret message while they were in the inn she didnt think he had, given hed said he wanted to have that conversation with the Evil Emperor and her in private.

Which meant that, even now, the Evil Emperor must be making his way from his castle with his troops, and Qube was suddenly horrified to realise that shed been so busy being upset about being betrayed that shed completely forgotten that Zakora and the rest of the people in the inn were in terrible danger!

We need to evacuate the inn now, she said urgently. She looked at the Chosen One, trying to communicate with only her eyes. The Chosen One looked surprised.

But we havent gone in yet, he said, then shook his head. Right, yeah, I see what you mean, he immediately countered himself.

Everything was hazy from the future, so Qube couldnt remember how much time theyd spent in the inn before going outside. It hadnt felt long, but it must have been much longer than shed thought, given there was no sign of the Evil Emperors approach and, if her memories were accurate, the inn should already be a smouldering wreck.

The Hero looked at Definitely Bad Guy calculatingly.

Where would be safe for you? he asked the Mage thoughtfully. I dont think any of the people inside were killed, but I never actually checked. He looked at Qube, and rubbed his hand over his mouth.

BY the way, were you happy with how this conversation went? he asked her. She blinked at him in confusion. Yeah, I dont think its one youd like to have again, he said and reached out to the Save Point. He cocked an eyebrow at her meaningfully.

No, Chosen One, I wouldnt like to have this conversation again, Qube said tiredly. He thrust his hand into the Save Point, and pulled it out again.

Right, the Hero said, looking at Definitely Bad Guy, now weve just got to figure out how to avoid you getting murdered by the Evil Emperor for betraying him.

Definitely Bad Guys head snapped over to the Chosen One. Sencha Bard put his hand on the hilt of his rapier, and Sexy Screamy Spider Ladys claws went to her crossbows.

Betraying him? Sencha Bard asked, a threat to his posture.

Qube wanted to be sick. Shed been so careful not to reveal to Definitely Bad Guy that he was about to die, while also leaving him space to tell the others about his shameful treason in his own time, and the Chosen One had just kicked it all out into the open!

Well, yeah, the Chosen One said casually. Cuz he was the Mage Advisor, and the Evil Emperor would have assumed he was loyal. Hes probably placed some kind of curse on him and everyone who works closely with him so he can kill them if they work for the side of Good. Were about to hit up the last Temple, so big baddie is probably gonna try and stop us.

Oh, of course! Sexy Screamy Spider Lady said.

That makes sense, Sencha Bard agreed. Well need to think of something.

A curse on me I never thought to check myself for curses. I will need to go to my tower and look into this immediately, Definitely Bad Guy mused.

Qube was astonished. Every single word the Hero had spoken was correct. And yet hed managed to completely defuse the situation, while still conveying all the necessary information.

Was the Chosen One secretly some kind of social genius?!

No, Qube immediately answered her own question. But it was still very impressive! The Chosen One was really growing into a true Hero!