Chapter 2: Welcome to the Party!

Chapter 2: Welcome to the Party!

After a quick burst of Rejection to remove the dirt and grime faster than running home for a shower, and less risk of seeing his mother Hiral finally left the tunnels beneath the city of Fallen Reach. Sun kissed his skin for the first time in hours, and after all his time on the surface under the pounding rain, he stood with his head held back to soak it up.

Feels good, doesnt it? Right asked from beside him.

Better than Cycling, but not as good as sleep, Left said with a slight reprimand in his voice.

You know about the nightmares better than anybody, Hiral said quietly to his doubles, keeping his voice low so passer-bys didnt overhear.

I do, Left agreed. I just dont think avoiding them is the best way to deal with them.

It was just while I was repairing the towers, Hiral lied. The look on his doubles face told him he wasnt fooling anybody. After we get back from the dungeon, okay? Well all join up together and take a nap.

Pretty sure you dont need us to sleep, Right pointed out.

Coward, Hiral said flatly.

Those dreams are terrifying, Right admitted. But! Once you get over them on your own, we dont have to worry about them anymore.

Youll remember them just as well as I do.

The forced grin on Rights face faded as he looked at Hiral. Its not something well ever forget. And, in a way, I dont want you to get over it. You did something as Seena would say very reckless. You basically died on purpose. No, dont give me that look. We know why you did it, but Hiral, what if the ability didnt work? What if Vorinal was so powerful he could ignore it?

I wouldve really died, Hiral admitted, some of that existential terror welling up in his gut again. The thought of the world existing without him forever while he was nothing; not conscious; not thinking; not part of it; it unsettled him. No, that was a vast understatement.

And youre not the only one, Right reminded him. Not trying to guilt you here. We just want you need you to be a bit more careful than that in the future. I know youre probably going to take risks and be reckless, its kind of what you do, and there will be situations that demand it. We get that. Just dont throw yourself in front of super-death beams for a stat bonus?

Before you say anything, Left interrupted as Hirals mouth opened. I am going to guilt you. Think of how you felt when Yanily died in the Rise of Fallen Reach. Then, think of how your friends would feel. Think of how your sisters would feel. Your parents.

Mom wouldnt care, Hiral said reflexively, then shook his head. Sorry. Not trying to deflect. I get what youre saying, and I hear you. That All You Got? is a powerful ability, but I wont try to abuse it like that again. Theres no guarantee itll always work.

And all it will take is one failure for it to be your last, Left said.

I know, Hiral admitted. I appreciate you guys reminding me.

Yeah expect to have the same conversation again, Right said.

Why? I already agree with you guys. And youd know if I was lying.

Uh not with us, Right said. Pretty sure Seenas been waiting until you finish with the towers before she took her turn.

We were just warming you up, Left said.

Hiral buried his face in his hands. Shes going to kill me.

Probably not, but itll be close, Right said.

Lil Ur, on the other hand, will likely urge her on, Left added.

Can I cancel the trip to the surface? Tell her I forgot one of the towers? Maybe make up a hidden one. Shes not a Maker; she wont know for sure Hiral mumbled.

You know thatll only make it worse for you, Right said.

It so would, Hiral groaned. Save me if it gets bad?

No way were getting in Seenas way.

Yeah, thought as much, Hiral said.

Besides, if she does kill you, at least you have That All You Got? eh? Left added.

Hiral followed his doubles line of sight expecting to see his party members but his eyes widened when they landed on two familiar women. Girls, really.

His sisters.

Seeing them together like that, it was impossible to miss the resemblance. Just a year apart in age, people who didnt know them often mistook them for twins. Milly was letting her hair grow out, while Nat preferred to keep it shorter. Besides that, though, they could practically be mirror reflections of each other.

And of a younger Mom, I guess

Nat? Milly? Hiral asked as he walked up to his two chatting siblings with Left and Right at his sides. What are you two doing here? You knew I wasnt working today.

The two girls looked from Hiral to each other, then back again.

He doesnt know? Nat, the middle sibling, asked Milly.

Doesnt look like it, Milly, his youngest sister, responded, and Hirals stomach did a flip.

Dont know what? he tentatively asked. Then his eyes went to the floating crystal sphere near each of their shoulders, tattoos etched into the surface, and some pieces began to click into place. I shouldve known.

You shouldve, Nat, always the smartass, agreed.

Left and Right both seemed to catch on pretty quickly, but it was Left who spoke up. You already inked your Mediums?

Mom and Dad helped us, Milly said, looking at her own Medium the crystal sphere floating by her shoulder.

Since Vorinals attack awakening the previously dormant systems of Fallen Reach had come to life. While Hiral and his party had battled a literal horde of the mobile, flying spheres, it had turned out island defense wasnt their primary purpose. No, they were meant to be bound to Artists and Academics as a way to allow them to use tattoos, much like Shapers did. The connection didnt give the two classes the same sort of physical power the Shapers possessed, but it turned out to make them amazing healers and buffers.

Doesnt matter, Hiral interrupted. Im not taking you to the surface to run a dungeon.

What? Why not? Nat asked, eyes narrowing dangerously.

Ill tell Mom, Milly threatened, then seemed to think better of it. Ill tell Dad, she corrected in a slightly quieter voice.

You do that, Hiral said right back. Does he know youre going to a dungeon? Theyre dangerous! You could die.

Says the guy who died up here where it was safe, Milly countered.

Twice, Right clarified.

While it was a dungeon! Hiral said to his sister, then turned on his double. And youre not helping.

He likes me more than you, Nat told Hiral.

He does not, Hiral said, though he looked at Right sideways. Do you?

No comment, Right said.

Left, youre on my Hiral turned, only to find Milly running her hand down the unbelievably soft sleeve of his Coat of UrThul.

You can show him what a real big brother acts like, cant you? Milly said.

Traitors, both of you, Hiral grumbled. But, no, youre not coming. And thats final.

Says who? Nat asked, a dangerous sparkle in her eye.

Says me!

Pretty sure its my party, Seena said from behind Hiral, and he didnt even need to turn around to imagine the quirky smile on her lips. And I get to decide who joins it.

Checkmate, Right said quietly to Hiral, then turned to Milly and Nat. Welcome to the party!