After the agricultural platform, the trio continued the visit along with Zamir and Semea, with the latter having finally warmed up to them and struck up a conversation with Stormsong. As for Maurice, he was very much keen on going back to the farmers and botanists. Not just to sample their fruits and vegetables—though that was most certainly part of it, especially the fruits—but he was just incredibly curious about the concept of “growing” food right out of the soil.

  To Henry, it was clear: Maurice had just tried sugar, and he was already addicted to it and had to figure out a way of manufacturing it for himself.

  The group climbed another spiral staircase to a new marketplace, though this one was significantly quieter than the one below, and the reason why became evident pretty fast. The space was covered and arranged in a market hall. One that specialized in magical items. Both in their raw and crafted forms.

  There were weapons, ingredients, bottles of glowing liquids, and so much more. The first shop that caught Henry’s eyes had a glass display showing different colored stones and crystal, and Henry needed just one beat to recognize they were concept shards. The concentrated essences were nestled in glowing, inscribed circles, with the most expensive at the top, such as an orange-red one that looked like a glowing ember and a clear, almost cotton looking one that made him think of the sky. As his eyes traced down the display, he noted how the prices dropped and the care in which the shards were presented relaxed, to the point where the ones at the bottom were clumped up in small-- piles, such as water, or a green one reminiscent of growth and vegetation, or a pale purple that was clearly some sort of corrosive or poisonous Aspect. Behind the counter, more glowing shards lined up the walls, and below them, small luminescent creations that floated in labeled glass bottles that reminded Henry strongly of his one-time skill constructs. Though these were a bit more intricate. And they seemed… stable.

  Henry blinked. Were those Skill constructs?

  As he stared into her shop, the woman behind the counter peered at him.

  She was older. From her appearance, he’d say she was around fifty years old, but considering she was a B-rank, she could be hundreds of years old as far as he knew. The woman had her hair tied up in a bun, and she wore black robes with their sleeves rolled up to show scarred and wiry arms.

  She straightened up, her brows slowly going higher and higher as she studied him—which made him squirm—before her green eyes moved on to Maurice, then Stormsong, then finally flicked to Zamir with a quirked brow. After the two guides introduced Henry and his companions to the shop-owners and shoppers, the woman stepped from behind her counter and sidled up to Henry.

  From the corner of his eyes, he saw Zamir’s eyes widen.

  “Hm. Welcome, strangers. My name’s Arisia, and it seems some of my wares have piqued your interest. Is there something in particular you’re seeking? This isn’t all I’ve got, you know,” she said, slowly shuffling around him. Then she stopped and looked him in the eyes. “I’m willing to discount my work if you’re willing to make a donation. You have a couple of interesting Aspects. Your little friend does as well,” she added. Then, looking away from Henry, she stepped closer to the crab.

  Maurice rubbed his claws together, but before he could speak, the woman plopped down in a squat in front of the crab. “You’re a chimeric hermit crab, aren’t you? Maurice, is it? An awakened one as well… and where did you get this shell?”

  “Henry found it! And I-ehm. Borrowed it,” said the crab, using his own audible illusion to respond.

  “Audible illusions,” she said, head tilting back toward Henry. “Your Skill, I presume?”

  Henry didn’t like how easily she could see through them. But he couldn’t say he wasn’t excited. “It is.”

  Arisia nodded thoughtfully, before she shuffled back behind her shop and summoned a large leather-bound book on her lap. “You three should come see me after you’re done with your little tour. Even you, miss Stormsong. An apt name, if I may say. Water, and storm, huh. Interesting. Bring them back later, Zamir.”

  “Yes ma'am,” said the young man, back straight as a rod.

  As they walked away and up through another set of stairs, Henry couldn’t help but ask. “She looked important?”

  Both guides nodded at that, and Semea spoke up. “She’s a special instructor. Even though she’s supposed to be retired, we all had to go through her training regimen at one time or another. Every tree-guard had to, and every crafter of note.”

  Zamir shuddered. “She’s ruthless. I’m not sure if you’re lucky or unlucky for having caught her eye. Either way, you should learn whatever you can from her if you’ve got the chance. She’s the best in all Thalis,” he said. Then glancing around, he added in a lower voice. “She’s even better than Lord Zerathstra. He tends to get… distracted.” Straightening back up, they continued to climb until they reached their destination. Zamir stretched his back, standing to the side. “And this is our last spot for the tour.”

  Maurice and Stormsong were both impressed by the site ahead, but Henry was completely flabbergasted. He’d seen multiple instances of the impressive living construction this settlement was capable of as they made their way up the tree, but even though he knew it was possible, he didn’t expect to see something this large.

  Up ahead, countless giant branches were pooled from multiple trees. At least five or six. The giant limbs twisted and turned to create a giant bowl with a flat center, and all around it, bleachers. Carved and formed into the wood itself.

  In front of him was the largest and most eco-friendly stadium Henry had ever seen.

  Semea rested her spear on her shoulder and smiled proudly at Henry’s expression. “We use this for tournaments, exhibitions, duels, special events, and sometimes for training. The arena is equipped with pretty sophisticated protective wards that allows everyone up to high B-rank to fight to their heart’s content without affecting any of the bystanders.”

  This story has been taken without authorization. Report any sightings.

  Seeing their faces, Zamir added. “You should enroll in the next tournament. It’s only a few days away.”

  Henry turned to the man and raised a brow. “How often are these tournaments?”

  “Once a month for the four months of summer,” Zamir grinned. “The format and the participants change and it so happens that the next week’s the high C-ranks, and next month is the last one, the B-ranks’ tournament. So your timing’s pretty amazing, actually. You should be able to hold your own with high C-ranks, I believe.”

  Semea grunted at that. “Still can’t believe you outran us. We’re gonna be hearing about it for months.”

  “No one’s going to say anything when they see them in the ring,” said Zamir, tapping his temple. “That’s why I’m mentioning it.”

  The woman gave her colleague a begrudging nod.

  Henry was tempted. But he wouldn’t mind some more incentives. “What are the prizes? Are there prizes, even?”

  “Of course,” said Zamir. “It’s usually announced at the start of the tournament, though. It could be a Skill, a magical item, a barrel of something valuable, or just tokens. Really depends on the tournament and on the budget. Sometimes, if you’re lucky, the prize would be something just for you.”

  “Like anything you want?” asked Maurice.

  “No no. I mean it might be, but it’d basically be something perfect for you. Like a synergistic Skill, or an amazing item that complements your fighting style, or, if you’re a crafter, it could be tools or lessons from one of our experts.”

  That did sound good. It sounded great, even.

  The fact that Skills and Traits were given as prizes meant that someone around here knew how to create them and transfer them. Something he sorely wanted to know and learn about.

  As Henry considered everything he might learn around here–and how he might have to pay for it–the two guards shared a look and Semea shrugged.

  “Well, that kinda concludes the tour, I guess,” said Zamir, scratching his head. “There’s other stuff up the tree and on the sides, but it’s better to head there when it’s needed or invited.”

  Henry eyed the two for a second. “Do you give these tours often?”

  “Not really,” Zamir shrugged. “It happens from time to time. We receive guests on occasion. Or trusted merchants. Sometimes, someone new joins our home, but the last time that happened was like a decade ago.”

  “We did give that tour,” said Semea, thoughtfully.

  “Riiight. Time does fly,” agreed the man. Then he turned his attention back to Henry and his companions. “Well! Let me show you to your home and to your own private pool.”

  ***

  Henry and Maurice sat at the edge of the pool, watching the dolphin work on her new technique. The water she had shaped into a ball broke out, and waves were sent to the edges, lapping and splashing against Henry’s feet and Maurice’s extended arms.

  She was getting better at shaping the water in the way she wanted. Henry believed she was only a few hours away from succeeding in what she wanted to create, or a day or two at most.

  I should definitely try doing that. I might have an edge when it comes to the Octominds, but my control is still garbage compared to hers.

  “This place is nice,” said the crab as he stared at the bright night sky.

  Henry nodded at that, staring into the night sky as well. He took a moment to enjoy it all, while deep inside, a bunch of Octominds were scrambling and creating a to-do list for everything he wanted to get done over the next few days.

  “[Don’t react.]”

  The voice rang in his mind, and Henry froze. A cold wave spread in his stomach, and his heart-rate picked up as he recognized its owner.

  The A-rank. Zerathstra.

  Henry’s thoughts whirled as he considered what the ape wanted. Was he about to threaten him? Did he find a loophole in the oaths? Were the oaths not that effective against A-ranks?

  Henry’s worries were getting away from him, but before they could get away even further, the voice came back.

  “[Breaaath, Henry. Relax. I just got here because I’ve got a great opportunity for you. I just didn’t want to freak the other two out. Didn’t think I’d nearly give you a panic attack.]”

  Henry blinked, and shakily, he let out a slow breath and felt the dread slowly get turned to shame. He hadn’t realized he’d been so on-edge. Looking around, he tried to locate the ape so he could speak directly to him instead of broadcasting his voice, but he couldn’t find him.

  “[Ah you can’t see me? It’s fine. Just raise an arm if you agree, or don’t if you’d rather pass. So. We got a pretty amazing trainer in Thalis. Retired. And usually too busy with her own stuff, but I can convince her to help you guys out. You guys have a lot of potential and zero guidance, and while I could help there, she’s way better at this sort of stuff than me. But to get her on board, I’d need to speak of your origins. Because she’s gonna figure it out anyway, so let’s just get it over with. I’ll swear her to secrecy and all, of course. Same oaths as me. So. What do you think?]”

  Henry listened intently, and the initial concern and worry slowly faded away as he considered the ape’s offer. After all, guidance and training were some of the reasons he’d wanted to come to Thalis in the first place.

  Swallowing, his arm twitched.

  We need the help, Henry told himself. We don’t know what we’re doing.

  Eying the space around, Henry’s resolved hardened. Aside from his own quick panic, nothing bad or weird had happened, so what was the harm in telling his secret to someone else?

  Let’s be real… anyone who’d had to deal with krakens would know I’m weird. This teacher would know something’s up as soon as we start interacting. The secret’s not going to stay a secret for long anyway, and the stronger I’ll get, the less I’ll have to worry about people figuring out my origin. At least in this case, she’s being sworn to secrecy.

  Letting out a slow breath, Henry raised his arm.

  Click here to join

  If you want to support me and read ahead, there's . I use the new subscription model, so you will not get double billed on the first of the month.