Chapter 8 Part 1

A little later, our trio takes a table in the reserved area for the Inn. Right now, they are chatting, laughing, and goofing around. Finally able to rest properly after all of the events leading up until now.

"I'm glad we all made it out safely though." Christopher says.

"Yeah, I was so scared when we found out we were in a Dungeon Domain. Thank The Mother that we were lucky enough for their Master to be an otherworlder." Heather added.

"It's a shame we didn't manage to complete the quest though." Christopher says.

Heather and Haider look at one another. "Yeah about that..." Heather starts to say.

Relov interrupts her. "Hey guys. Congrats on making it so far in the Tournament!"

"Thanks Relov! Come sit." Haider offers.

"Cheers guys. I like your new companions too. Makes you lot look formidable as heck." Relov takes one of the three stools opposite them.

Willow crawls up onto the table and sits in front of him. Relov pets the shrunken dragon and asks Hayle a question. "So then. Do you approve of your master Thrall?"

"My. Name. Is. Hayle...Haider. Asked. To. Be. Equals. He is. Summoner. But. Not, master."

"I see. You're powerful enough to have free will?"

Hayle answers with a nod.

"That's one terrifying entity you've summoned. Let's hope your. Arrangement. Will keep you safe in the end."

Hayle grumbles at his distrust. But recognises the caution. "Newt's thoughts. Are...Misguided."

"We will see about that." "Anyway. Christopher, how are you holding up? I saw that fight with Kiana. Do you feel the same?"

"Why? Does her magic have a hidden effect?" Christopher asks.

"No. it's not that. It's about. The dark power you mentioned that's attached to you." Relov leans on the counter. Lowering his voice a little.

"I don't feel any different. But I guess her magic could assist in its growth. Our best guess for now is that it's feeding off of my negative emotions. I never considered that a magic that can bring that out would be that much of an issue for me."

"I think it would be wise for you to try and avoid an altercation with her if you can help it, cub." Relov suggests. Christopher nods softly.

"And finally. The most powerful human I've ever seen, Heather." Heather blushes at the complement. "That nettle plant you used against Ibun. I think it's best you shelve that one unless you intend to harm a large group. It's too dangerous to use in closed spaces." He advises.

"Oh I have my spell: Soulustrious. I have plenty of options otherwise too."

"That's true. But you are wasting many seeds when you cast your growth onto the fauna and plants. Be more conservative."

Heddwyn, as he does, shows his existence, right next to Relov. His returning presence sends shivers down his spine. "Do you get some sick joy from doing that?"

"A little." Heddwyn replies, sitting in the middle seat.

"Don't forget about me too." Beluf materialises in the seat next to Heddwyn.

"You fuckers! Stop that!" Relov screams.

"Relov! What have I told you about cussing in my Inn!"

"Sorry Zoey! I swear it was an accident."

"Well I swear that I'll throw you out." Zoey sasses.

"Thanks a lot. I'm on thin ice again."

Beluf laughs loudly. "You we're right. That was fun."

"So what's up? I lost you up on the mountain. Did you finish the quest?" Heddwyn asks. Haider shakes his head. "At least you've made some progress. You've gained experience during the tournament."

...

"How's Engilram? Is he getting by ok?" Christopher asks.

"He's doing fine. Not much happens in Dungannon so he's bored out of his mind." ... "Oh, that reminds me. I got a letter from him before I came here. It seems that the feral animal case has been escalating drastically."

"It's been getting worse?" Christopher sighs. "Why? Hasn't the guild been doing anything? I would think that more villagers are being attacked."

"They are, but the guild doesn't have enough people for it. Stocaea is on the cusp of war against wildlife."

"Have they at least identified who it is?" Haider asks.

"No one has a clue. The most anyone ever sees of this, this entity. Is a shadowy figure."

"So what are the people supposed to do? Most aren't equipped to deal with wild beasts." Heather states.

"All I know is that Engilram is starting to investigate."

"Why? He's old. For the love of The Mother, his back always used to give out if he twisted the wrong way." Christopher smacks his hand on the table.

"Control yourself brother." Heather says, firmly gripping his clenched fist.

"He'll be fine. He's been active ever since you were a little tot. He's regained some of his old strength. And even then, before he got to the capital. He aided in killing a dozen of those wolves when you were kids. I'm sure he'll be fine."

"Yeah. Yeah, you're right. As usual." Christopher's emotions calm.

(Narrator) That was fucking stupid Heddwyn. You could have killed dozens of people by telling him that.

Beluf can sense the despair in the air. The growing worry around the growing potential collapse of Stocaea. The growing sense of unease as their home becomes hostile, crumbling from the inside.

To try and avert everyone's conscious mind away from what could be. Beluf lays down a potential suspect. "Look. There could be more out there. But there is a legend amongst the Wolfman race. A legend of a reckoning. All made by someone with unfathomable power over the anima of wildlife."

"Ok...Who is it?" Haider asks.

"Their name is Krelifa."

"Krelifa? Isn't that the Wolfman name for Otherworlder?" Heddwyn asks.

Beluf nods. "But it's said that they've always existed in our realm. Before creation. Even before the Gods themselves."

"That sounds preposterous." Christopher criticises.

"I don't think so. I believe we dragon newts have something similar...A man or woman of unknown origin casts down judgement on injustice. It is also said they existed before the Gods. Like a God of Gods." Relov proclaims.

"Do the Nekojin have anything like that?" Heather asks.

Heddwyn nods to her question.

"Talking ghost stories are we?" Zoey says. Popping up out of nowhere. She places down six pints of Tisk Honey Ale onto the table. "It's on the house. Oh, and don't worry about being underage pip. You're legal in Maranus."

"Thank you, ma'am." Beluf says, grabbing her wrist gently as she walks away from the table.

"Names Zoey hun." She says. Zipping off to other patrons of the diner portion of her establishment.

Grabbing one of the Honey Ales Heddwyn tells the Nekojin's version of the legend. "So our version also has the, before the gods thing. But the other stuff is different. Vastly different. This entity takes on many different forms, many different identities. And each one is different. Some good, some evil. They enjoy playing as a different character each time they appear. Unknowable. And unidentifiable."

...

(Narrator) I'm sorry what? How the fuck don't I know about this. It has to be bullshit.

...

"Well that wasn't horrifying at all." Christopher sarcastically frets.

"I never said it would be a good legend."

"And just to clarify, these are just legends. We have no idea if these have a shred of truth." Beluf says, taking one of the ale's.

"Yes. but if true. We have a possible completely omnipotent, pre-eminent god, fucking with the wildlife because his thinks of this as a game. Do you not know how fucked up that sounds?" Christopher vociferates.

"Well if you put it that way, of course it's going to sound bad." Heather defends.

"Also, based on the legends. This pre-eminent god, as you put it, is willing to be killed in the mortal sense and play the part. It sounds like they don't make themselves overpowered in the roles he decides to play." Haider shines light onto Christopher's dour view on it.

"That's true. But if this anima mage is this deity, they will only come back. Possibly something much more dangerous." Christopher demolishes the source of Haider's metaphorical light.

"Yes. If they are killed." Relov says.

"Can we just stop talking about this? My head is really starting to hurt." Christopher says. Placing his head on the table, both his hands on the back of his head.

"It sounds like you need a drink, lad." Relov says.

"Zoey did give you a specialty ale from Tisk. I promise, it's sweet and smooth." Beluf says, placing one of the Tisk Honey Ale's next to the boy.

Christopher lifts his head up to look at the ornate glass of sweet smelling alcohol. He looks for his father's approval.

Heddwyn laughs to himself. "In Mercter it's even younger. You're fine. Humans are just more susceptible by its effects."

The lad takes the handle of the glass, bringing it to his face. He smells the aroma as the carbonation pops through. It smells slightly sweet, with biscuity and malty tones shining through. Atop the golden brew, lays a creamy white foam. The foam slowly cascades down the side of the glass as it's picked up.

Christopher takes his first sip, the cold, crisp taste soothing Christopher to his soul. As he places the glass back on the counter, foam on his upper lip, he says, "It's smooth...I like it."