Chapter 86

Chapter 86

Other than the occasional quakes no doubt form the Goliath and that hold up with attempted robbery the rest of the walk back was without issues, it seemed like the Goliaths presence kept the rest of the creatures at bay and the various groups where focusing on it.

Reaching his base he was surprised to see Elena waiting for him, a frown at seeing him arrive alone, before she could ask though John cut her off.

"Please don't ask, ill talk to everyone in the morning, for now I just need some rest, it's been a long and horrible day." He tells her, his tone breaking slightly causing her frown to deepen but nod in understanding as she retreats to the greenhouse.

No one else was present though as he made his way to his room, he was tempted to use a pinch of flower brew to knock himself out but decided against it in the end, Alice wasn't around to watch over him well he slept, and he would rather be able to wake up to any noise or actions than risking being asleep till it wore off like before. And so John laid down and closed his eyes, forcing himself to untense and try to relax, sleep claiming him a few moments later.

Opening his eyes what greeted him was a smooth white ceiling and a feeling of a hard surface under him John realized he had managed to fall asleep but instead of dreaming like he had hoped was now somewhere new once more, memories of his encounter with the Keeper flowed forward causing shivers down his spine and to rub his dead arm, it was not a experience he wished to repeat any time soon.

Getting up and dusting himself off he took around well on edge at first before becoming rather confused at what he saw.

People and all sorts of other humanlike creatures even elves and dragon newts where walking around and past him, the few who bothered to look at him giving him either annoyed, amused or pitying looks which further confused and bothered him.

the ground beneath him consisted of black and white tiles, a bit further on either side an array of shops stretching down both directions the entire place currently resembling a Mall complex further confusing him.

"Where the hell am I now? It feels familiar but that's probably just due to nostalgia from before the changes." He muttered to himself before deciding to walk forward and seeing what he could find here, knowing standing around would accomplish nothing and wondering if this was really just a lucid dream this time.

Walking down the hall he landed in he noticed a large variety of different shops and even small stalls consisting of just table or mats on the ground, he felt curious but felt like first exploring this place, the familiarity of it all growing with each step as if he should know this place, a slight pain forming in his temple.

Seemingly entirely out of place he noticed a dark path to his right, blue burning torches illuminating it faintly as very few beings seemed to be walking down it, almost pulled by a strange feeling John went down it, noticing no stalls at all only the black path ahead of him, as he walked he saw a slowly growing light at the end of the tunnel but before reaching it there was a larger area, many people standing around watching 2 figures sitting opposite one another, there forms shadowed and blurred but seemingly playing a card game he was really familiar with.

a large rocky looking orc figure though didn't seem to find much amusement or have manners though, instead of walking around them he seemed to try and step over there card field, some onlookers grew excited at this confusing John for a moment before he watched as the orc like figure began to scream in pain, his form slowly dissolving into particles of light drifting into the blurry figures now open and outstretched hands before picking there cards back up and continuing there match.

Slowly John slipped away, making his way cautiously around the crowd and avoiding interrupting or disturbing the platers, going through the light he was greeted to far more stores but in a large round ring with tables and various people seemingly enjoying there meals from some of the visible restaurants but in the centre there was a dark pit, strange noises resounding out from it drawing his attention as he slowly walked forward but a commotion brought his attention to his side.

A large troll looking figure, there fatty form wabbling with every step, gold rings and jewellery encrusted chains and necklaces hanging all over there form, even the little hair they had upon there head had gem and gold beads in it, there outfit even covered and layered with various bits of gems and jewels and as if woven with gold was trying to convince an extremely small fairly like girl with green hear and wearing a flower as a dress to check the store infront of them.

Now rather curious himself John slowly made his way over being spotted by the troll and fairy who had now stopped there conversation and turned their focus to him seemingly having felt his gaze.

"Little human friend! Come over, maybe you can help me convince Sweet Bell here to come view this store! It showed up 2 years ago and is practically fresh meat but there way of selling things is truly unique! When they don't have enough stock, they turn to trading items in their store for 2 or more items and when they have enough stocked again it goes back to regular trading, I heard some of the bigger stores wanted to push them out but ended up compromising. Would you like to come check with us? She should feel safer going with someone closer to her size." The troll says rubbing his head in embarrassment and causing his entire form to Jiggle and the fairy to huff.

"Really Oleg? You're now resorting to getting random people involved! Is there a limit to your shamelessness? And you probably expect him to come with us for free, 2 complete strangers! Do you have any idea how suspicious that has no doubt made him about us? Big human friend I'm sorry about this big lug, his hearts in the right place but he doesn't always think things through or think at all, even less when excited." Sweet Bell told him in embracement.

"I was going to see him right though, I would gladly buy him something or even give him some money, I would figure something out." Oleg says with a pout getting a chuckle form John before he winced and rubbed his temples, the stabbing pain getting worse once more out of nowhere well giving Sweet Bell uneasy slide glances.

"Its fine, I was curious about this place though, I feel I should know it yet each time I try to recall, this familiar feeling comes up and then my head seems to begin paining. I don't mind going with you guys to check that shop though, but do you think you could fill me in on this place in exchange?" John says, getting an excited look from Oleg.

"No! that is far to little, you seem like a good person little human so big brother Oleg will treat you right! This place is just called The Mall, it drifts in a void outside space, time and dimensions yet keeps a level of connection to many many different realities, getting here is a matter of luck if you don't have a pass though, the stores sell anything you can imagine, items, people, food, animals and even planets or realities can be bought or sold! Well given you have enough currency for it." He explains with glee but blushing slightly as he looks at John realizing he was no doubt poor.

"Why do you keep looking at me like that big human? Do you have a thing for me at first sight! Well I am flattered you aren't my type, sorry, its not you its just the species difference." She tells him with a sweet smile only for John to shake his head, the trio now walking into the shop and finding it far larger inside than outside resembling a warehouse with all sorts of items neatly and carefully organized and a deep red oak desk with a till next to the door.

"Its not that, my past experience with a fairy in my reality didn't go well, she proved to be rather rude, mean and kinda swore she would get back at me and even claimed to be the last of her kind or something, honestly it feels like ages back when I encountered her." John explains embarrassed as he remembered Greeny, getting a small laugh from Sweet Bell.

"No worries then, she probably just meant it as the last in your own reality or something, if she tries something and you end up killing her there's plenty more realities with other fae in them!" She tells him with the sweetest of smiles not matching her words. John merely nodding slowly with a small smile at her showing he understood and began to look around only for Sweet Bell now taking a spot on his shoulder and directing him around.