6.80 - Tall Boys

6.80 - Tall Boys

The scent of earthy moss tea spread through the Newt and Demon. Theo, Elrin, and Tresk sat downstairs, finding whatever chairs they could to wait out the brewing process. The smell of the Moss Nettle had become something of a comfort for the alchemist. Late nights in the lab—often working hard to create potions for the defense of that same town—were an event. At least his attributes would reduce the negative effects the next day.

Theo poured a cup of tea for everyone, watching the way Elrin leaned back in his chair, halberd propped against his shoulder. That guy must have been through the ringer. He was just happy to have been able to stop the fight before things got out of hand.

“I’m guessing you’ve been on a wild ride,” Theo said, popping the lid of his kettle to check the water. It was boiling enough, so he dished out three cups of tea before blowing on his own. “And the fun has just started.”

“You could’ve let us fight a bit longer,” Tresk said, folding her arms. She could only be grumpy for so long before she drank her tea. Theo knew that. She knew that. Everyone knew that.

“From what I understand, you’re from Earth,” Elrin said. “Near-future, or something like that. Tell me, are you aware of my exploits defending your planet?”

“No. In the several-hundred years that passed since your time, the information was lost or covered up. I can’t really say.” Theo shrugged, taking a sip of the empowering tea. He felt energy race through his body the moment he sipped. “So, did your system work on Earth?”

“Indeed. We made a deal with someone to seal the worlds away. Unfortunately, certain powers prevailed against my wishes. Betrayal and all that.” Elrin looked around the room taking in a deep breath. “But seeing Iaredin survive is encouraging. I’m sorry Earth didn’t make it.”

“I was born here,” Tresk said, smiling to herself as she sipped her tea. It hadn’t taken her long to cave.

“I don’t remember your race from before. Or the large ones guarding the wall. Actually, most of you are quite big. Even you, demon.”

“Yeah, we’re a bunch of tall boys over here. Except the marshlings. They’re comically small.”

Elrin nodded, taking a sip of his tea. He grimaced. “This might be the worst drink I’ve ever had. Do you have any sugar?”

“Of course,” Tresk said, producing a sack of sugar from nowhere.

“Where did you get that?” Theo asked. “That’s an alchemy reagent, you know.”

“And he wonders why I hide all the good stuff,” Tresk tutted. “When will you learn, Theo?”

“The tea takes some time to get used to, but the effects are great. It’ll keep you up all night if you’re not careful.”

“I don’t sleep,” Elrin said, spooning some sugar into his drink.

“You don’t ever sleep?” Tresk asked. “Well, that sounds horrible.”

“That’s how I got so powerful. Everyone else had to sleep while I leveled. That’s what allowed me to become the strongest fighter and the strongest crafter at the same time. No one could keep up with me.” Elrin cast his eyes to the ceiling, a smile spreading across his face. “I can switch locations with my companion. Since he can take the form of an eagle, that means I can be anywhere I want on the planet within a day or two.”

“That’s a fast bird,” Tresk said.

“Someone told me he was as fast as a ‘fighter jet’ at one point. That was near the end, though.”

“So, you’re a crafter. Like me. What did you make?”

“Everything,” Elrin said, gesturing to himself. He pulled back his cloak, showing intricate earrings hanging from his ears. He showed his rings, cloak, and various weapons. “The message the lizard was telling me to accept was related to my position as the Guardian of the Shards. It gives me some interesting powers.”

“He doesn’t sleep, he can craft everything... Hey, craft me some stuff,” Tresk said, jumping from her chair.

Elrin’s gaze locked onto her. He unclasped a leather pouch from his belt. “Okay, what would you like?”

“Uh... uh... Daggers?” Tresk asked. “I guess.”

“No, I don’t think so either. But everyone who died under the unfair bounds of this system deserves a fresh start. Hell, Kuzan might not even be a problem. If our assassination attempt fails, we can try to negotiate. He seemed like he was taking his role seriously, right?”

“Makes you wonder if we should even try to remove him... How do you pick the right move for something like this?” Tresk asked. “Something worse could happen if we made a move and he was ready.”

They could speculate on the best path forward all they wanted, but that wouldn’t do them any good. The plan was simple enough. Someone like Kuzan couldn’t be trusted with the souls of everyone. Perhaps there was another path forward they hadn’t seen yet...

###

“Why have a Seal of Passage if you’re just going to break it!” Omen’s voice echoed through the golden forests of Eral Dum—the elderling realm of Fate.

Fate turned, looking at her twin brother with a scowl. They had been through this too many times for her to argue again. An old friend had finally been awakened. Well, she had only waited a few weeks of mortal time, but that was too long for her to endure. There was a time whens he was known as Aline, granddaughter of King Leon. Since she had been sealed away, there was only one thing on her mind.

“I’m following the threads. I’m not leaving. Not again, anyway,” Fate said.

“Remember what happened last time?” Omen asked. “My prediction came true.”

“Think of it like astral projection. Anyway, the system said it was fine,” Fate folded her arms, glowering at her brother. “Don’t you want to see our dear uncle? Perhaps father is still out there... somewhere.”

“He’s not even our uncle,” Omen grumbled.

Fate glared at her brother long enough that he slunk off into the forest, leaving her to her work. Reading the threads of fate was hard enough without Omen badgering her all the time. With a steady breath, she invoked the power of her station. Her vision was clouded with gold until she plucked through the threads, finding the ones she was interested in. The threads of fate were whittled down to five, all pulled through her metaphorical loom and ready for investigating.

“There he is,” Fate said, pinching the fibers between her fingers and plucking. The scene before her shifted, and she soon stood on a rocky field. The shadow of a ruined fortress lingered on the dawn’s horizon. Becoming a god as a child had its advantages. It was disarming for people to see someone so small with so much power. Fate giggled to herself as she remembered an encounter with a huge man on Earth. She remembered breaking his arm with barely a twist of her hand.

“You haunt me,” a hooded man said with a sigh.

Fate bounded over the rocky landscape, laughing to herself. She loved bothering this one. Even if it kinda sorta broke the rules. Just a little, anyway. “You’re so intimidating! That’s the badass fighter I remember. Where’s your gun?”

“System took it,” Elrin said, turning to lower his hood. “I had to give up quite a few of my magical items, actually. Have you found Silvain?”

“How did you know I was looking... Oh, right. You always see through me.” Fate sighed.

“And Cyril? Armel?” Elrin asked. “Where are the others? The Defense Force?”

“I can’t tell you that,” Fate said. “Even now, I’m close to being shut down. This job belongs to another, now. The Dreamer and the Herald. New titles, same job.”

“I met the Dreamer,” Elrin said, his pale eyes locked on Fate’s golden eyes. “I’m not confident in her skills.”

“You’re so stuffy. Makes me want to puke... Anyway, what are you doing here?” Fate asked.

“Do you remember which shard was here?” Elrin asked, gesturing to the ruins.

“The Shard of Strelon,” Fate said. “My father used to take us here sometimes. When he had the time...”

“I doubt there are many that remember where the shards go,” Elrin said. “And I don’t know if I have the power to set them all in place. The power gifted to me by the Shard Network is fading. This may be the last thing I do.”

“Oh, stop being so dramatic.” Fate sighed, hanging her head. “You were always such an optimist. Suck it up and do your job.”

Elrin smiled, nodding to the god before him. “You’re right. Let’s get to work.”