Chapter 8 Part 2

(Narrator) I don't think I've shown them eating in quite a while. I should probably do that.

A few hours later, after everyone has had a few drinks, Zoey and a member of her waitress staff come by, each carrying a tray of three bowls.

"Hay guys, I'm glad everyone is enjoying themselves. I've brought along something to eat that should pair perfectly with the Tisk Honey Ale you've been drinking." Zoey says, placing the bowls in front of Christopher and the twins. The waitress goes and plates the others.

"What is it?" Heddwyn asks politely, his cheeks a little rosy from his inebriated state.

"It's a bowl of Chicken Noodle Soup. Careful it's hot." The waitress says, walking over to a waving customer somewhere else.

"I do hope you enjoy. It's a new recipe specifically made to be enjoyed here. Honey Ale isn't as easy to get in Stocaea as it is here in Maranus." Zoey says.

The Chicken Noodle Soup presented to the group is as advertised, with a few extras added in. Its basic components consist of egg noodles, chunks of cooked chicken, and served in a clear chicken broth. This particular soup has had an upgrade, with several vegetables such as carrots, onions, and celery added in. The smell was soothing to the heart, the warmth filling all those who were close by.

Christopher takes some chopsticks provided with the food and picks up some noodles. The others follow close behind as they see his face light up, slurping the noodles into his mouth.

"The noodles have soaked up the broth, giving them a light savoury flavour." Christopher says.

With a spoon, he scoops up some of the meat and vegetables out of the soup. Placing it into his mouth after blowing on it. The chicken is perfectly balanced, and the vegetables soaked in the juices.

"It's got an amazing umami flavour. It's to die for!"

With the same utensil, Christopher spoons up some of the broth, drinking it.

"And the broth is powerful, giving it a hearty base. I think this might be the best meal I've ever had." The lad says.

"I'm so glad you like it! Since the ingredient isnt banned outside of Stocaea, I've been experimenting with MSG. It's something that can elevate a dish. Kinda like salt, but on drugs." Zoey says, her warm smile always giving the room a positive atmosphere.

As the group nears to finishing their meal, Zoey waits for a response. To see if it should be added to the menu.

After Christopher, Beluf was the next to finish, nodding his head to Zoey's silent question. Heddwyn and the twins are of the same opinion. Zoey walks off. Not wanting Relov's opinion.

"What about me? Don't you want to know what I think?"

"Not really. You're constantly swearing in here, and I know you have, because people tell me as such. You're lucky you're not barred for life." Zoey scolds.

"Fuckin' snitching sons o bitches." Relov mutters.

"Final warning now fire boy. I don't care about your status. If you aren't respectful of my business, you're not going to get respect from anyone here." she stomps towards him and tugs his head up by his horns. "Do you understand? Don't think yourself above the rules Here Dragon Kin."

Relov winces, showing a hint of pain. But underneath, in his innermost centre, he liked the way she manhandled him. "Yes...Zoey." He exclaims, trying to hide the moan that almost burst forth.

"Good boy." Zoey says, lightly patting his left cheek, leaving to serve other patrons.

Heather has a beaming smile on her face, leaning on both arms under her chin. "Relov likes Zoey." She mockingly says.

"What? No I don't." Relov cheeks flush as he dismisses the claim, oblivious to his own feelings.

"I'm the only one who heard it but you moaned before you said her name. Did you like her dominating you like that?"

(Narrator) Holy shit. A literal phantom crap. I never thought I'd hear Heather say that.

"Kid, you have no idea what you're talking about." Relov denies again.

"You'd be surprised. I'm not like my brothers, I notice these things. You like her, Relov."

After a night of festivities, sharing stories of the past, and legends of history in different cultures, Christopher heads off to his inn room for the first time.

Stepping into the kitchen, Christopher opens the fridge and takes out a fruit called an Yfig. An Yfig is like an apple, without a core or seeds. "These Otherworlders sure are clever. I doubt anyone would've thought of this. Especially since it constantly consumes mana to work. Wait. they don't have magic, according to the texts." Christopher takes a bite of the Yfig and leans on the counter, pondering the thought.

"How could they have done such a thing? If it's not magic, then what is it?" He takes another bite and thinks again.

"I heard they engineer weapons of war that can destroy entire cities. But how? Metals?" he chomps down on the Yfig.

"I'll have to bring it up with that Dungeon Master at some point. They seem to be quite a bit farther in technological advancements." Christopher eats the rest of the Yfig and heavily places himself on the couch in the lounge.

"Could not having magic drive this world to work harder? Or maybe find other methods?" Christopher ponders. "So many questions from a fucking fridge. I guess I'll have to do some experiments one day."

...

(Narrator) Uh. Where did he go? Ok. I-Uh...Christopher just fucking vanished. Like, there wasn't even a warning. Like a flash of light, or fading away. Just. He once was. And now he isn't. WTF!

...

(The Stranger) Don't you worry Narrator. I'll keep your story complete while I talk to the kid.

...

(The Stranger) Alright then. I think I can manage his style of writing.

...

Christopher, blinded by the infinite white of the void, lands with a thud on the nothingness. In his confusion, the boy slowly stands, looking around through the empty.

"Where am I?...More importantly, how did I get here?" He asks.

"That would be me." An ethereal echo calls out from everywhere and nowhere at the same time.

"Oh-kay. Next question would be. Why?" He says. Throwing his arms into the infinity.

"I simply wanted to chat. You and your family have been using my name an awful lot. Or, one of them at least." The echo vibrates the blankness of existence.

"So, you're this. Otherworlder?"

"Incorrect. That term is used for those who die, or are summoned from a different existence entirely. You may call me...hmm, what's a good name? Nebulon? Yeah, Nebulon. You can refer me to that." Nebulon says.

"Well. Nebulon. What business do you have with me? I'm nobody special by your definition of existence." Christopher sits down, shivers roll up his spine, fearing there was nothing there.

"Hmm. I disagree. You my good sir have quite the story. For it is being recorded in the history of the gods by a wisp." Before Nebulon lets Christopher speak he says, "Will you hold on a moment. I did this for the gravitas of it all but I can't keep seeing you in 10 dimensions anymore. It's irritating the living hell out of me."

A black dot materialises in the Void, growing and outstretching, limbs forming muscles defining and a head...I can't think of another one.

(Nebulon) You get it though right? It looks like a male human. Or a man I suppose. Just without the reproductive organs. I am technically the infinite abyss afterall.

Nebulon manifests a corporeal form. The form of a man. Featureless like the infinite white void. "So. you wanted to ask a question?" he asks. Sitting next to Christopher.

"What's this, wisp, you mentioned?" Christopher asks.

"Ah. I believe you call them Narrator's. In truth they are, in the best terms, a sentient sphere of energy. Technically my grandchildren. They were never supposed to be known to mortals as they are historians for the gods, or my children."

"So why are they known to us then?" Christopher asks again, leaning back, both his arms on the, floor?

"A flaw in their design. But one that makes for interesting storytelling. Dontcha think?"

Christopher stares at the blackness that is Nebulon. "So how do the Wisps know? I mean, how do they know whose history to record? Spatial mages can see them, right? So why are they so sparse?

"The wisps are born just hours before a mortal's birth. Their existence is tied to time. So in a way, my children figured out a way to see through time. But unfortunately for them. They aint me, they can't transcend time and space. So the wisps record major or curious events tied to a mortal's existence. You being one of them."

"I'm sorry, the fuck did you just say? And this is all so confusing. Why reveal your true existence now? And to me? You've never done this before." Christopher's expression is, confused?

(Nebulon) Sod this. I can't be arsed to identify his emotions. Use your imagination.

"That is true. But even I am bound by one thing. This existence. I may know all, control all. But only in this universe. And the universe works in mysterious ways. She's a cruel mistress. Unforgiving and unrelenting. But fair. If time were to be theoretically altered, history somehow changed. The universe would make sure that events still happen as originally foretold."

"I don't understand. Are you saying the universe you created is more powerful?" Christopher says.

"Incorrect. The universe created me so I could create it. It's a complex concept to grasp by the mortal mind. But here, Space and Time do not exist. To put it simply, anything the mortal mind can comprehend as the universe, is. But it is not all of what the universe is."

"Okay. I think I got it. But that'll probably kill someone else." Christopher jokes.