Chapter 2008

Chapter 2008

Randidly was in his childish body again, sitting in the middle of his bed with his arms wrapped around his legs. The limbs were almost offensively gangly. But compared to the previous time this had happened, his vision was relatively stable. The walls fluttered like they were cloth rather than wood and drywall, but the ground wasn’t heaving beneath him.

A frown creased his face as he tried to track how he had ended up here. I was just meditating on the third layer. Was I really resting enough to dream? Well, I suppose my body should be strong enough to weather any surprise attacks, either from Xershi or from a stranger...

Besides. I think these dreams are the key to my new Attribute. Getting Muse’s Reverie to five should have a very powerful effect.

Randidly hopped off the bed. His feet hit the floor and he stumbled and fell. His face twisted in annoyance as he used his slender limbs to push himself up to his feet. Why the hell couldn’t he dream of himself in a body with his normal capability? Adjusting back to the reactions of a child was irritating. His musculature left a lot to be desired.

Finally back on his feet, he walked to the door. As he placed his hands on the doorknob, he heard the resounding laugh of his mother. Again, the shadow of her flashed in front of him. He couldn’t remember anything but the curl of her mouth as she tried to smile while her entire world collapsed. When Randidly had unknowingly handed over those divorce papers.

Randidly shivered but pushed past the fear. Even the greatest journey began by making an attempt. He twisted the knob and walked out into the hallway with his head raised in the face of his own fear. But instead of the cramped area he had expected from his childhood home, Randidly found himself in a relatively large stone chamber. The huge expanse was hung with thick shadows, making it almost impossible to make out anything in the gloom.

These walls seemed quite solid. The darkness weighed everything down and erased the dreamlike qualities, leaving only the confusion and fear.

Still, he turned and began to move. There was a single, rotating bright spot in an otherwise completely featureless space. Randidly stumbled forward, seeking that one source of light. It was the size of a dinner plate-

Randidly stopped in front of the rotating light source. His gaze turned increasingly sour. “Are you... fucking kidding me? What the hell is this supposed to be?”

It was a massive trading card. On the back was sometimes a tree, sometimes, a spear, sometimes a Chimera, and sometimes an empty eye. And on the front was a massive question mark. With a sigh, he reached out and touched the floating card.

Applause! You have obtained the Item the Torch of Harsh Truths!

With a pop, Randidly found himself holding a burning torch. Already, his young shoulders ached with the effort of holding the item aloft. The light bounced off the walls and gave him an understanding of the area. Mostly, the cavern housed doors. And above each one was a name.

Ezekiel.

Tessa.

Sydney. ViiSiit novelbi/n(.)c/(o)m for latest novels

Ace.

Xershi watched the Ghosthound carefully as they moved directly from climbing up to the fifth floor to heading to the sixth. Whether it was bloodlust or some inner fire, the Ghosthound hadn’t stopped moving since recovering from his execution of Drum. And Xershi could tell how exhausted he still was; the area stabilized by his spatial image had shrunk by a fold. Yet the firm will to drive himself forward was exactly the sort of attitude that made him glad he had followed this stranger on a whim.

This would be a journey that saw them push their limits. That was extremely valuable.

...just Xershi wished some of that value would be located in the present.

Sweat poured down his brow as Xershi forced himself to climb up the next staircase. His own limit fluttered in front of him, teasing him with its possibly imminent arrival. It made his breath quicken. Would a particularly bad spatial flare smash into his side and cause him to collapse? Would he go to lift his foot and find himself unable to move? Would he die here?

Although it was painful, arriving at the golden portal to the next ring was almost a disappointment. Another ascension without any climactic moments. Just the long toil of movement.

Shivering, Xershi forced himself through the area of high image static and stumbled through to the other side. His head butted up against the Ghosthound’s back, who looked around warily at their surroundings. A group of about twenty individuals was standing around, clearly waiting for their arrival.

They stood in another forested area, with each tree seeming to have a hawk-eyed and powerful Tier III Citizen.

“Well met, travelers of the Sonara,” A short humanoid woman with bright blue hair stepped forward and spread out her hands. She offered them a sweet smile. “Welcome to Idylla. The only city of the Sonara. It can be the jumping board for you to find your destiny. Please, follow us and we will help you with your applications for visiting passes.”

“I’m not interested in visiting, but thank you for the offer.” In the face of the group, the Ghosthound shook his head. His spine was straight and strong. “We will just be heading to the exterior stairwell and continuing on our journey. Oh, unless you want to linger Xershi.”

Xershi shrugged, unwilling how sweaty and drained he truly was. “Nah, why wait here? Let’s see how far we can climb.”

A stick-thin man stepped out of the crowd. His gaunt face curled into a cruel look. “Pullas might have phrased it as a request, but it was not one. Do you think so many turn out for peaceful arrivals to Idylla? We know of your brutal actions in regards to Drum. He was a close friend and staunch defender of this city. We cannot in good conscience simply allow you to pass. You will be held accountable for your actions, even if we need to do it ourselves.”

Even as the Ghosthound’s shoulders rolled back and steam began to waft off his body, the woman raised a finger and showed a disapproving frown. “Easy, Rod. The city of Idylla has no judicial authority, even over those who call it home. It is a loose association-”

“Damn your fucking regulations and arrangements to hell.” Rod took another step forward. He was a full foot shorter than Randidly and so thin it looked like an intense emerald gaze could blow him away. But the crystalline image he released glittered in the air around him. “Rules are dead and people are alive. And on my life, I swear I’ll deliver justice to this prick.”

Some of the other gathered individuals offered some inside smiles. About half spread out and became a circle around the group. Their individual and varied images flashed up to become a barrier.

Pullas sighed and shook her head. “This is not in the spirit of Idylla. We founded this town exactly to escape the barbarism of using violence as a source of determination-”

Her voice was drowned out in the boos and hoots from the circled-up individuals. Xershi’s metal tongue flicked out and danced across his lips. He reached out and put a hand on the Ghosthound’s shoulder. Adrenaline was coursing through his body. “I don’t suppose... I could have a go?”