Book Three Chapter Fifty Three: Construct Crash

Book Three Chapter Fifty Three: Construct Crash

What does the anatomy of the Devs look like? Qube whispered to Definitely Bad Guy as they returned to the plaza. She still wasnt sure how they were going to avert the half-started civil war, and shouldnt have been thinking about something so mundane as the physical appearance of the beings that created her entire world, but she had to know.

Remarkably similar to ours, but with several key differences, Definitely Bad Guy said. Some of which seem inefficient or downright dangerous. For example, in one of the models

So, civil war, huh? Ol Romeo and Juliet situation? the Chosen One loudly interrupted the two Mages.

It was Zincy and Slate, not ol Romeo or Juliet, Qube corrected the Chosen One. She was about to get annoyed at his rudeness when she noticed his flushed cheeks and was struck with a realisation.

The Chosen One was embarrassed.

The man who (in public no less!) would shamelessly ask anyone and everyone their spells, whod ignore or dismiss some of the most powerful people in the world, and who had absolutely no problem blatantly stealing everything and anything, was embarrassed by Definitely Bad Guy and her discussing the anatomy of Devs.

Definitely Bad Guy, less keenly tuned to the Heros mood, blithely continued: They call themselves humans, although given the variations involved I believe they are as close to what we call human as half-elves are to us.

Do you mean that Devs have large ears? Sencha Bard asked.

Our ears are normal sized, yours are just small! Qube fired back without thinking. No, thats not what I wanted to discuss! She pulled herself back on track to the unique problem of how to deal with the Chosen Ones modesty.

Tell me, my love, do you and the Devs share similar anatomy? Sexy Screamy Spider Briar asked, chuckling as the Hero squirmed. The Hunter knew exactly how to deal with the Chosen Ones modesty.

The Devs are the original humans, the Chosen One said, still flushed. They based your version of humans off of them. Us. Were all human.

Ah, Definitely Bad Guy said, his brow clearing. That explains the modifications. They improved upon their own flawed design.

Only humans can be Devs? Sencha Bard asked, a note of disapproval tingeing his question. Or is that just a coincidence?

No, we only have humans, the Chosen One said. There arent other races in the Devs realm. Okay, we have races, but it means something different. We dont have races like elves and dwarves. Actually, we have dwarves, but not dwarf-dwarves. Wait, does this world have dwarves? The Chosen One, on top of still being quite red, was looking more flustered than Qube could ever remember seeing him. If anything, he looked like Qube when she got lost in a morass of half-sentences.

Ive never met a dwarf, Qube said, taking pity on his obvious distress.

Cool, so theyre in this world, the Chosen One said, taking a deep breath. Cool, cool, good to know.

How had she ever thought this man had grown up in the same village as her? She shuddered to think how he would have coped without her and the others helping him.

What else have you learned from your book? Sexy Screamy Spider Briar asked Definitely Bad Guy, her fangs peeking out in a smile as the Chosen One frantically cleared his throat.

Fortunately for the Chosen Ones surprising display of modesty, that was the moment the party arrived in the lover-occupied plaza.

We should start with Zincy and Slate, Qube said, eyeing the duo dubiously.

Oi! Love birds! the Chosen One shouted in relief, striding towards the two sighing constructs. Lets talk about your [snacks]. In fact, tell me all about it. Howd you two crazy kids fall in love? Oh wait, that was cuz of me. New question, how do you feel about everyone thinking youre dead?

Zincy and Slate ignored him, continuing to stare at each other.

All women are terrifying when enraged, Sencha Bard replied wisely.

The Chosen One rolled his eyes at the Bard, but focused on following Qube as she perkily stomped into the Constructors abode.

Despite the fact that civil war was threatening between his creations, the Constructor was bent over a table full of bubbling liquids, scribbling notes on a pad of paper. The inactive construct in the corner hadnt been touched, and even the squished eyeballs that the Chosen One had left behind were still resting on the floor.

The party crowded into the laboratory, Qube staying back to remain standing in the doorway. She remembered how it had slammed shut behind them the last time theyd been there and didnt want to run the risk of being trapped inside. Squiggles hugged her legs, hungrily eyeing all the loose equipment.

Hero! You must choose a side! the Constructor said, his hair floating around him like a cloud. I cant stand to harm any of my children! For all his passionate words he couldnt even be bothered to look up from his studies.

What Qube would have said about a parent who stood by while a total stranger picked which of his children survived was not to be discovered. For, at that very moment, as her thumping headache reached a crescendo, Squiggles, the beloved mascot of the team, released her grip on Qubes legs, bolted out of the doorway, and slorped down the street.

Squiggles! she cried, immediately abandoning the party and chasing after the sharktopus. Without a single thought about how the others would deal with the Constructor without her guidance, she ran, holding up her robes as Squiggles raced ahead. Squiggles! Stop! Wait for me! You cant run off here; this is a strange place!

But Squiggles didnt even flinch. She wriggled as she ran and suddenly tripled her speed, a flash of golden glitter enveloping her as she disappeared from view.

Squiggles! Qube cried, but her pet was gone.

Hey! What happened? From behind her she heard a familiar voice. Still running, she glanced over her shoulder and saw that the Chosen One had abandoned his negotiations, instantly following his companion. His metal-booted feet clanged as he ran, and Qube found herself instinctively slowing down to allow him to catch up to her. Behind the Hero the rest of the party struggled to keep pace with him.

I dont know! Qube said, gulping down air. They arrived at a crossroads and she glanced between the three roads. There was no sign of the missing mascot. She suddenly ran off! There werent any children wanting chasies or anything! Maybe something in the Constructors house scared her?

Nah, if that was the case she would have attacked it, the Chosen One pointed out, annoyingly unpuffed from the running. Shes more likely to try and eat something that spooks her than flee it.

Uncomforted by this wisdom, Qube picked a random street and started down it. She fancied she still saw a faint trace of glitter in the air. The thumping of her head seemed to fill her entire body now, and she felt like she was being shaken by it.

Hey, does anyone else hear that? the Chosen One asked. Its like an earthquake.

It sounds like a giant is attempting to enter Construct Crossroads, Sencha Bard said worriedly.

I very much doubt it could get in. After all, it would have to solve the riddle, and giants are not known for their intellectual acumen, Definitely Bad Guy said.

Or it could just destroy the walls, Sexy Screamy Spider Briar pointed out. After all, we were able to climb them.

The streets had twisted around so much that Qube arrived in the plaza with startling suddenness. Zincy and Slate had finally stopped staring at each other, and turned to look at the gate that was now hanging wide open.

And there, at the entrance to Construct Crossroads, was Squiggles, frolicing in joy as she danced with

Scissors! Qube cried in joy as she spotted the former Light Temple Boss dancing in the sunlight, surrounded by an array of various beasts, all moving to the thumping beat of the cutely-nicknamed Bosss legs slamming into the ground.

The giant scorpion theyd lost so long ago had finally arrived in Construct Crossroads.

And hed brought friends!Follow current novels at novelhall.com)