—— ? ——

  “Oh that sounds great.” Simon looked across the table. “Plans are good. I like having a plan.”

  “The problem is, Kaelalin doesn’t agree with it.” Brian began, his eyes locked on his fingers. ”But I think it’s the only way. She proposed…” he hesitated. “An alternate version of my plan, and I’m begging you, please tell her no.”

  Simon stared at Brian. He was tempted to be sarcastic, as he still didn’t know what the hell was going on… but the man was a nervous wreck.

  “Okay, Brian. Spill it.” He said.

  “So…” Brian began. “We've got to think of something. I just—if this is going to happen, what I'm already talking about, but we have—I have a plan.”

  Simon blinked. “Dude what? Brian, take a breath. I don't know what language you just used, but it’s not English.”

  Brian closed his eyes. Each breath was quick. After several, he finally took one long inhale, then released.

  His eyes snapped open and the bewildered look of worry was gone.

  “Listen to me. It's one night. I need you to stay safe for one night. I'm almost done with that avalanche barrier. As soon as I finish it I will be able to turn it on and it'll complete the quest, and all I will need to do is turn that quest in.”

  Brian’s jaw tightened, his gaze firm.

  “But I’m not going to do that. In fact, if I do manage to stabilize it, I’m going to turn it off.”

  Simon cocked his head. “Okay… What does that have to do with me?”

  “It’s simple.” Brian snapped his fingers. “I’m going to force the Council into a deal. I will give them an ultimatum. I don’t think they will overturn the banishing, but I do think I can make them let you stay just outside of town.”

  He tapped the side of his head. “I have been talking to Kurda, Serel, and a bunch of others. This was mainly Kurda’s idea. He's moving towards the tunnel right now to do last-minute work. They are gathering all readily available stone so he can finish off the gatehouse with the other architect. Shoot... What's her name...?"

  “Ryne?” Simon suggested.

  “Right, Ryne!” Brian nodded. “Ryne and Kurda can only get a little bit done tonight, but they are going to work until they can’t. Then first thing tomorrow they are going to finish that thing.”

  Simon frowned. “I thought Ryne had weeks left to finish that thing.”

  “That’s what she said actually.” Brian smiled, just a bit. “ She said. ‘Tell that bunny guy that he’s not allowed to look at it.’ that its going to be ‘more horrifying then his crazy suit or that ‘A Sea, D Sea’ song he played.’”

  Simon chuckled. “Oh man, that bad? Might permanently hurt her spirit.”

  “She even suggested that you be blindfolded while inside it.” Brian shook his head. “But it will be done by tomorrow before the sun sets again. It won’t be pretty, it won’t be comfortable, but it will be safe.”

  Brian sighed. “But that leaves one problem.” He gestured toward the door. “It won’t be done until tomorrow. You’re going to have to stay in the valley for one night.”

  His voice cracked. “But I think you can do it Simon. You're fast, you're strong. Aurora's out almost every night—there's no pattern to it. It most likely will be out tonight, and then you just need to be careful, don't look at it and move through the snow and dodge hoppers. Then when morning comes our plan will go into motion.”

  Simon nodded slowly. “Why are you so worried then? It’s not like those hoppers can kill me. The only thing that even got close was…”

  His eyes went wide.

  Brian nodded gravely. “Right. Now you see the problem. That thing is out there.”

  Simon shivered involuntarily. The big fuck off shadow monster of the valley. The one that had almost caught him even with speed potions running. That thing was out there.

  “Oh. ha. Ha. right!” He chuckled nervously. “Forgot about that big ole guy.” Simon shook off the jitters.

  “But alright then, that’s a plan. Way better then my current plan of… well my non-existent plan.”

  He cocked an eyebrow at Brian. “So, what’s the problem? What’s the deal with Kaelalin?” Even though he was trying to act casual, his mind started replaying images of that creature. Simon heard its eerie howl in his mind.

  Holy shit man. I am so fucked.

  “Kaelalin is insisting on going out there with you.” Brian said, his voice barely over a whisper. “She said it's a horrible plan. She insisted that you and her can come up with something better than just running away.”

  “Okay…” Simon mulled it over. “I don’t think that's a good idea. But that doesn’t explain why she was so pissed.”

  Brian looked down, his voice meek. “She thinks I should go out there too. We should all just leave.” He looked up, then stammered. “but … I … I just can’t Simon. You know I've told you about this before—it's an avalanche barrier for fuck's sakes."

  He leaned back in his chair, hands on his head.

  “I don’t agree with what’s going on, but I just can’t ignore the massive sign that is that item. It’s like the system was like ‘hey, here's the don't get screwed by this thing that's nearby.” He let out a long breath. “So, I’m going to finish it. Then I’m coming to the gate house to stay there with you, and Kaelalin. When the tunnels done, we will all just leave.”

  “What about Zerathis?” Simon asked.

  Brian looked sad. “He’s working on the barrier right now, but he’s going to stay. He's behind us all the way though.”

  “Makes sense,” Simon nodded. “His people are just a short walk and a teleport away. It wouldn’t be fair to ask him to leave.”

  Unauthorized tale usage: if you spot this story on Amazon, report the violation.

  “Agreed on that one.” Brian looked at Simon, his voice soft. “Look Simon, I think you’re a good person. I’m a little hurt you hid the whole ‘multiple gods’ cursing you thing, but I get it. I was confused for a bit there, but it made sense. I just can’t see how you are a part of this secret murderer organization.”

  He laughed. “Hell, you can’t even figure out what day it is. No way you’re some secret maniac.”

  Simon let out a sigh of relief. “I don’t know Brian. Maybe I am in league with the Hollowers. Maybe Lex Luther is secretly my father.” He stared at Brian, dramatically blinking. “Wait… Your last name is Kent… and you wear glasses! *gasp* I figured it out!”

  “Oh damnit, and I was so careful.” Brian said, his face filled with mock horror. Then it faded back to serious. “Honestly, I can’t think of anyone from earth would be like. ‘Oh? A group that consumes people’s souls for power? Sounds great to me!’”

  Simon raised his eyebrows. “I could think of a few…”

  “Yeah…” Brian replied. “Now that you say it… so could I.” He shook his head. “Anyways, I’m curious. What the hell did you say to the martial god to get turned into paste? It’s been nagging at me.”

  “Oh that? Heh.” Simon's lips cracked into a grin. “ I may have told him that not even a golden retriever would agree to be his follower.” He paused. “Now that I say that out loud, I feel like his reaction was way too dramatic. Sure it was lippy, but man I pushed his buttons. I will have to remember that.”

  Brian just shook his head. “And that started your insane journey?”

  “Yup. Even got an achievement for it. Realm first apparently.”

  “Oh?” Brian raised his eyebrows. “Would… you tell me what it is?”

  “Sure,” Simon smiled. “It was called ‘Divine Rage’. The only reward I got was a skill the system said I already had. It was called Stubborn Resilience.” Simon cocked his head, then added. “Oh and I guess not dying was a nice reward too.”

  “Thats…” Brian’s eyes were wide. “One way to get first place in the new world. Question. Did you maybe consider that pissing off a literal god wasn’t the brightest move?”

  Simon shrugged. “Was that or slavery with extra steps.” He settled into his chair. “Look Brian, I was just some IT guy at a hospital. I didn’t know anything. One second I was in a dusty basement, the next I was talking to that fireball guy, Glint. I thought I had died and was in a coma. My perception of what was ‘real’ wasn’t entirely in check?”

  He cocked an eyebrow at Brian. “How did your first experience with a god go?”

  “Well, the god I met was impressed by my analytical abilities. We just talked about the concept and process of inventing new things. After several minutes, the god nodded and told me there were uncountable realms to discover and explore. Said they were filled with materials even he couldn’t dream of. Told me to get out there, craft, create and make something amazing.”

  Simon stared at Brian. The stare grew awkward as the moments dragged on.

  “What?” Brian asked.

  “That’s so not fair.” Simon groaned. “Varrax called me an insignificant mortal and told me to kneel. Said ‘I will define your limits going forward.’” He leaned forward and gave Brian the stink eye. “But your dude just gave you a pat on the back, a boon and said ‘go gettum tiger?’ that’s some bullshit.”

  Brian looked sheepish.

  “This world sucks.” Simon stated. “Then I had to deal with Melodian.”

  Brian raised an eyebrow. “Did you also tell him a golden retriever was too good for him?”

  Simon scratched the back of his neck. “Uhh… no… We had a falling out in that time chamber… Yeah… I was pissed.” Simon shrugged. “So I might have cobbled together a sound system with the remains of the school and played a song about–Oh I don’t know– 54,321 times? Seemed like a nice number to stop on.”

  Brian blinked.

  Simon grinned.

  “How’d you play a song?” Brian finally asked.

  “The guy had pretty much every song from Earth loaded up somehow? So yeah.”

  Brian squinted at him. “So what song did you play.”

  Simon felt a wave of contentment as the happy memory flowed over him. That had been a great way to get revenge. “What’s Up Pussycat.”

  Horror covered Brian’s face. “Oh my god. No wonder he cursed you.” to which Simon only shrugged again.

  “He had it coming.”

  Simon watched as Brian seemed to evaluate him. The inventor had a question, but was afraid to ask. Brian opened his mouth then shut it again. When he did it for a third time, Simon rolled his eyes.

  “What?”

  “How…” Brian asked carefully. “Did you… well, did you have some type of ear protection or something?”

  “No?”

  “Then… how are you still sane?” Brian said, the words spilling out quickly.

  “Why wouldn’t I be sane?” Simon asked. “I just played the song. Honestly I got used to timing my running and work outs to it. It was like a built in metronome to the place.”

  Brian shook his head. “Simon, nobody listens to a song over fifty thousand times and comes out the other end ‘okay’ ”

  Simon gave him ‘yeah and?’ look. “Well I did.”

  “Well that confirms it. No way you’re a hollower. In fact, I think even they would run away screaming.” Brian gave Simon a wary look. “In case I ever ask you to play a song, I want you to slap me okay? Or scan my head to see if something’s wrong with it. I take back all requests I have ever suggested. Thanks.”

  Simon frowned, Brian reminding him of one last topic he needed to discuss.

  “Oh speaking of. Brian, take a look at this.” Simon pulled up the two prompts he had been looking at. He willed them over to him.

  Brian was quiet for a long moment as he read them. After a long moment he asked.

  “Did you get this skill with Melodian?”

  Simon grimaced. “Yup.”

  “Sorry man.”

  “It’s fine.”

  Brian was hesitant, then pushed. “Are you sure?”

  “Brian, I’m about to go face off against a monster that wants to rip me into pieces. I don’t think this is the time.”

  The inventor studied him for a long moment, then nodded. “I’m assuming you are showing me this for a reason.”

  “Yeah. That skill leveled up here in Varnholt. The failed attempt was during the announcement.”

  Brian froze, eyes wide. “Wait really?”

  Simon nodded gravely. “You understand what that means?”

  “Someone in town… can manipulate minds.” Brian frowned. “But nothing here says anything about who cast it. Do you have any leads?”

  “No. But the only people around me when these went off were:” Simon counted on his fingers. “Kurda, Ryne, Random Frost-kin, Random Yoreboon for the level up. Then we were in the plaza, and I think the most likely were Serel, Marden, or Maelis.”

  “Hmmm.” Brian tented his fingers, staring into space. “I think we can safely rule out Kurda and Ryne. Those two just don’t make sense, as someone with this ability would want to be around as many people as possible.” He tapped his chin with his fingers. “Serel, Marden, and Maelis are the most likely. I wouldn’t rule out the two random people either.”

  He met Simon’s gaze. “Have you told anyone else?”

  Simon shook his head.

  “Good. I’ll look into this then.” Brian nodded. “Thank you, Simon. For trusting me.”

  “No problem dude. Just please beat the shit out of who ever it is that’s using that.” Simon tapped his head. “They 100% tried to mess with my head. I’m not a huge fan of that.”

  “Alright.” Brian chuckled, then balled the fists of his scrawny arms. “I’ll give them the one two combo.”

  “There you go.” Simon said. But it was time to get serious again.

  “So. What’s our plan then? The one that is going to make Kaelalin happy?”

  Brian sighed. He leaned over the table and poured himself a cup of tea from the pot.

  “I don’t know. But we don’t have that long to figure it out.” He glanced around the shop. “She should be coming back sometime soon.” he paused, then that worry overtook him again. His eyes were pleading as he stared back at Simon.

  “Please, Simon. No matter what. You can’t let her go with you. She’s headstrong, and tough… but she’s not as fast as you. If your time out there turns into a flat out chase… “

  The gravity of the situation hit Simon like a bag of bricks. He had been laughing and trying to mask the fear he felt. But this wasn’t a joking matter.

  That creature was out there.

  Waiting.

  It chilled him to his bones.

  “We will come up with something… alright?” He tried to reassure Brian. “Between your brains, and my… well your brains. It’s time to put our thinking caps on."

  He leaned back on his chair.

  "I’m sure we can figure something out. "

  —— ? ——

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