Jade breathed in deeply, before slowly releasing it as she prepared to enter her Runescape and receive her Initial Rune, hoping she wouldn't have to die this time. The first time it'd happened had been an accident. She'd gotten the Eat Rune, the most boring Rune you could get! She'd had to reject it, but in the process, the pressure had crushed her, killing her and sending her to Chris's world. But despite the pain, she had rejected the Rune. So, she tried again, and got the Walk Rune, which she rejected as well. And again. And again. But no matter how much she tried, all her Runes were terrible! She just- didn't have enough experience. So she needed to get experience, but in what?
That was when she'd remembered Chris complaining about the fact that none of his subordinates had an Archery Rune. He could only use the Runes his subordinates had, so if none of them had an Archery Rune, he couldn't get an Archery Rune. So Jade decided to be an archer. As long as she could help Chris, she didn't care what she did. She just wanted to be useful. She spent the next few days training with the bow, drawing on Chris's memories and using points to increase the skill whenever possible, pushing herself as hard as she could, and now… she was ready to try again.
She took another deep breath in, slowly releasing it as she entered her Runescape and called. Lines etched themselves into her Runescape, a Rune slowly forming as Jade nervously waited to see what it was, wondering if she'd finally done it, or if she would have to try again. Jade began to frown as the Rune became clearer, not looking anything like a bow. She sighed, resigning herself to yet another painful death, when she froze as the Rune became clear. Excite. Jade's breathing quickened as she focused on the Rune, unable to look away. Excite. She felt the Rune settle into her Runescape, becoming hers. Jade's eyes widened. "No, no, no!" She muttered in a panic. She hadn't meant to! She just- Jade bit her lip. It was Excite! Her chance to no longer be boring! She hesitated. Maybe- maybe it'd be okay? She could just- get another Rune, right? Get Archery. Yes, no, it was fine. Chris wouldn't mind if she had one Rune for herself. Besides… maybe she could Excite him.
Jade flushed as she reentered her Runescape, after increasing her Capacity of course, and called for another Rune. Thankfully this time, the Archery Rune did come, and Jade breathed a sigh of relief. She could still help Chris. And maybe… she could be a bit more exciting too.
*
Andrew, Chris, and Greg arrived at the castle around noon. "Hey there!" Greg greeted the guards at the gate with a grin. "I believe we have an appointment to meet with…" Greg trailed off as he drew a blank. What was Victoria's father's name again? Mark something?
"The Marquis Tyverus." Andrew filled in for him.
"Right! That guy." Greg nodded.
The guards eyed them suspiciously. "And you would be?" One of them asked, holding up a list.
"Greg, Chris, Andrew." Greg gestured to each of them in turn as he introduced them.
The guard frowned as he studied the list. "Gregory Halver, Christopher Vincent, and Andrew Stone?"
"That'd be us!" Greg grinned in response.
The guard eyed them warily. These didn't seem like the type of people the Lord would invite for a private meeting… but that wasn't his call to make. "Very well. I shall inform the steward you've arrived." The guard replied, before rushing off.
Greg turned to the other two. "Guess we're waiting here then."
Andrew sighed. "I knew we should have dressed up."
"What, like suits or something?" Greg raised an eyebrow.
"Not that dressed up, but… you know, something nicer than jeans and a t-shirt at least." Andrew replied. "You know, to make a good impression."
"Oh, we're trying to make a good impression?" Greg smirked slightly.
Andrew rolled his eyes. "I'm trying to make a good impression. If you want to piss off Victoria's parents, that's your deal."
"Whoa, hey, I didn't say I was going to piss them off." Greg protested. "But if I wanted to leave a good impression, I'd have to lie, now wouldn't I? Better to leave an honest impression."
Andrew blinked. "I can't tell if you're serious, or you're fucking with me."
"Can't it be both?" Greg chuckled.
A moment later the guard returned with Maurice, who looked over the three of them before smiling lightly. "You must be Victoria's friends. Please, follow me."
"Yes, sir, mister steward, sir." Greg saluted with a serious expression, before marching after him.
"Dude, are you okay?" Andrew frowned. "You're not usually this… uppity."
Greg paused. "I guess I'm bored? And kinda frustrated." He cocked his head. "I don't think I like this World…" He added in a slightly lower voice.
Andrew blinked. "Eh?"
Greg sighed. "This cultivation system… it hits all my weak points, and I hate it. But there's nothing else to do here, so… well, you know how much I hate being bored."
"So… you're acting up because you're bored?" Andrew frowned.
Greg shrugged. "Not much else to do, is there? I mean, I read all the books… I really need to learn how to pace myself."
The three of them followed Maurice to a small sitting room where Victoria, Calvin, Albert, and Melissa were waiting for them. "Welcome." Albert greeted them as they all stood. "It's a pleasure to finally meet Victoria's friends."
"Please, please, come in, have a seat!" Melissa waved them in with a welcoming smile. "I'm Melissa, Victoria's mother, Calvin, her younger brother, and I'm sure you're aware of Albert already."
"It's nice to meet you too." Andrew stepped forward before Greg could. "I'm Andrew, this is Greg, and that's Chris." He introduced them as they sat down.
"So, what do you all do?" Albert asked, leaning forward.
Andrew froze. "Do?"
"For work." Albert elaborated. "I assume you must support yourselves in some fashion, yes? Are you Hunters?"
"We…" Andrew trailed off as Greg began to chuckle and Victoria buried her face in her hands with a groan. "We'll do something eventually?"
Albert frowned. "You- don't do anything?"
"Well, we only just got here." Greg commented with a shrug. "Haven't had time to settle. Plus, you know, we don't exactly have many needs."
"Greg." Victoria growled, shooting him a warning look.
"Oh, you're from out of town?" Melissa asked, placing a hand on Albert's arm to keep him from blowing up.
"We are!" Greg grinned. "Way out of town. Practically a different World!"
"Greg!" Victoria snapped.
"What? I'm just answering her question!" Greg protested.
"You guys are being weird." Calvin muttered.
"That's kind of our shtick." Greg chuckled, shooting a wink at him.
Andrew sighed. "Unfortunately, he's not wrong."
Chris just nodded in agreement.
"That… actually fits for friends of Victoria." Melissa smiled.
"So you must have an idea of what you're going to do then, yes?" Albert growled. He did not like the idea of these men taking advantage of his daughter's generosity.
"Well, I assume we're going to be hunting at some point." Andrew muttered.
"I dunno. Maybe I'll be a blacksmith or something. No cultivation required." Greg shrugged, giving Albert a look. "I don't like cultivation."
Albert blinked. "You don't like cultivation?"
"It. Is. Boring." Greg replied. "Who wants to just sit there and meditate all the time? It's ridiculous!"
"You don't give up on something just because it's boring!" Albert retorted. "Many things in life are boring, yet they still need to be done!"
"Sure, but I don't need to cultivate, so why should I force myself to?" Greg countered.
"Everyone who is capable of cultivation should cultivate to the best of their ability!" Albert replied. "Cultivators are the foundation of society! Without them, our nation would crumble!"
"Your nation." Greg pointed out. "I'm a free agent. I don't owe anyone anything, cultivation or no. And the bottom line is that cultivation isn't worth it to me, so why should I bother?"
If you discover this narrative on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the violation.
"Well, we still need power." Andrew commented. "And cultivation is still the only real way to get it."
Greg's expression twisted. "I know, but why does it have to be tied up in such a bullshit system?"
"You know why." Andrew replied.
Greg sighed. "Yeah… stupid World."
"If you're interested in blacksmithing, I'm sure you could get a Rune for it." Melissa added. "That should make things easier, yes?"
Greg shook his head. "It isn't that Runes themselves aren't interesting, it's just… see, I'm not a passive guy. I don't like to just sit around. So all this meditating just… I can't do it. My mind literally won't let me focus on them."
"Wait, you have the distraction disease?" Maurice interjected from his place by the door.
Greg blinked. "The what now?"
"Some individuals struggle to focus." Maurice explained, studying Greg thoughtfully. "They can't keep themselves from getting distracted, but… I've never heard of someone with such a condition actually becoming a Cultivator."
Greg paused. "It isn't that I can't focus, it's that I need something to focus on. I need feedback. Something to keep me engaged. Runes… just don't give me that. They're too passive."
"Interesting. Maybe with some sort of- or medication- hmmm." Maurice muttered to himself as he considered the problem of a Cultivator who struggled to meditate.
Greg gave him a weird look, before shaking his head. "Anyway, yeah, that's my deal." He paused. "Not exactly liking being the one with obvious issues here…" He turned to Chris. "Come on, man, help me out."
Chris shook his head, gesturing to Victoria, before putting a finger to his lips.
Greg blinked. "Wait… are you literally not speaking because she told you not to?"
Chris nodded.
"And suddenly I feel normal again. Thank you." Greg chuckled, patting Chris on the shoulder.
"You told him not to speak?" Melissa raised an eyebrow at Victoria.
Victoria's expression twisted. "I meant he shouldn't say every little thing that came to mind, not that he should completely shut up!" Victoria protested, shooting Chris a look.
Chris shrugged. This was easier.
"Okay, that does it!" Albert growled. "What is going on here!?! Who are you people!?! Where did you come from!?! Why are you so close with my daughter!?!" There was too much familiarity here for a week of interaction! Plus they claimed to be from a distant land, but they weren't Cultivators?!? It made no sense!
"Albert!" Melissa snapped at him. "Don't be rude!"
"No! Something weird is going on here, and I want to know what!" Albert retorted.
Andrew, Chris, and Greg all turned to Victoria, raising their eyebrows in unison. It was her family, she was the one who got to decide what they were told. Victoria's expression twisted, before letting out a sigh. "They're related to the system. Not- they're… connected to it. Not a part of it, but- ugh, Greg, just show them."
"Look, I'm a smoke person!" Greg announced, smoke billowing out of him and turning into a dozen fairies who began to tap dance on the coffee table… badly. "Damn… I need to learn how to dance." Greg sighed.
"See? They can do things outside the normal way of things, like I can with the system, just- they have their own methods. Greg has his smoke, Andrew has his aura, and Chris has his world." Victoria continued. "Somehow we're all connected, and that's how they got here. I brought them here. I know I should have told you, but- you've been dealing with so much of my weirdness already and- I just wanted to wait until things calmed down a bit before dumping a bunch more on you." She finished with a sigh.
Albert blinked. "Oh…" He slumped back in his seat.
"Did you say he has a world?" Maurice interjected, pointing at Chris.
Chris gave him a thumbs up.
"What's aura?" Calvin frowned.
"Basically life force." Greg commented, frowning as he tried to get his other selves in sync. You'd think it'd be easier to stay in step when you were literally connected to each other…
"And smoke?" Melissa raised an eyebrow.
"Matter." Andrew answered. "Ish."
"So… energy, matter, life force, and… space?" She pointed out the four of them with a thoughtful expression. "That is an interesting combination."
Greg looked up to blink at Melissa, before turning to Victoria. "Dude, your mom is smort." He frowned. "Smart. Smort. Bleh." He shook his head, before turning back to Melissa. "Usually we have to lay that out for people."
"Lay what out?" Albert frowned. "Wait, usually?!? Who else have you been talking to about this!?!"
"Ah, damn. I pulled a Chris." Greg cursed.
"They're from different worlds, dear. They said it earlier." Melissa explained, patting Albert on the arm.
"Like, super smort." Greg muttered, before frowning. "Fuck it, I'm owning it."
Melissa smiled at him. "I believe you simply aren't very good at hiding. Particularly not when you consistently hint at the truth to tease my daughter."
"To be fair, we haven't gotten much practice." Greg shrugged. "Usually Chris blurts out the truth five minutes in. Which is why he's not talking."
Chris gave her a shrugging nod.
"Though since the truth is out, you can probably talk now." Greg added.
Chris pointed a thumb at Victoria, before giving him a helpless gesture.
"Chris, you can talk." Victoria rolled her eyes.
Everyone turned to look at him. "Well?" Greg nudged him.
"I have nothing to say." Chris shrugged.
"Hold on, I'm still- what is happening here?!?" Albert groaned in confusion.
"Dear, as you know, our daughter's system is… outside the bounds of normalcy, yes?" Melissa explained. "Well, if I'm understanding this right, this is due to some connection to a fundamental part of what energy is. Similarly, these three are connected to fundamental parts of whatever matter, life force, and space are, and in turn, are connected to each other, across worlds. Given that both our daughter and this young man are capable of being in multiple places at once, I believe they are all capable of this, letting them exist in all these worlds simultaneously." Greg actually began to clap from how impressed he was.
"Less space, more the overarching structure of reality, but otherwise basically correct." Chris agreed.
"But what does that mean?!?" Albert asked.
"Okay, so, you know how you asked us what we do, and how we provide for ourselves?" Greg replied, leaning forward. "Well, basically, everything we need can be provided by me and Chris. We live in Chris's world and I can make food using my smoke."
"Chris can make food too." Victoria pointed out.
"And I can make a flying ship." Greg retorted. "I was just pointing out who it was easiest for."
"Also, I think he was talking more… existentially?" Andrew commented. "Like what our existence means."
Chris frowned. "What does anyone's existence mean? We simply exist, and that's that. Any meaning comes from what we do with our existence."
"Then what do you plan to do with your existence?" Albert asked, rubbing his temple, feeling drained by this entire conversation. He was so much better at problems he could simply hit.
"Like, in general or here?" Greg raised an eyebrow. "Cause in general, we're just trying to live our lives, and hopefully make the world a better place, but here we're mostly trying to figure out what to do with this Hidden Blades bullshit. Or rather, trying to avoid getting screwed over by this Hidden Blades bullshit. We have certain capabilities they would obviously be very interested in getting their hands on, and we're not sure if that's the best idea. Not that they can exactly force us to do anything… well, except Victoria, cause they can threaten you guys. Though if we stick you in Chris's world…"
"I'm beginning to see why you struggle to focus on Runes." Melissa commented.
"We really do try to keep to ourselves, but…" Andrew sighed. "We tend to get dragged into shit anyway."
"My Lord!" A guard suddenly burst into the room in a panic. "A Beast Tide is approaching!"
"Kinda like that." Andrew sighed.
"A Beast Tide?!?" Albert jumped to his feet. "How far out is it!?!"
"A few hours, maybe less according to the Hunters." The guard answered breathlessly.
"We need to hurry then. Sound the alarms, get everyone into the castle!" Albert ordered. "Send the calvary to warn the villages to evacuate!"
"I can help with that if you like." Chris offered. "I make portals." He paused. "Alternatively, I can just hide everyone in my world… probably safer."
"That- that would be appreciated, thank you." Albert nodded, turning to the guard. "Get this man a horse."
"Why would I need a horse?" Chris frowned, opening a portal to the edge of town as his bow appeared in his hand, before shooting an arrow into the sky and disappearing.
"Does he know where he's going?" Andrew muttered.
"He'll figure it out." Greg shrugged, leaning forward. "I can also help with the defenses. My smoke makes for good walls."
"If any of you can contribute to our defenses in any way, it is appreciated." Albert replied seriously.
Andrew shook his head. "All I do is kill things. And even then, I'm not really strong enough to help here."
"I can fight." Victoria replied, standing to her feet.
"No you can't!" Albert retorted. "You are staying in the castle!"
"But I'm stronger than ninety percent of the people here!" Victoria retorted. "The only people stronger than me are Ursa, Horace, and the Hidden Blades! And I can't die!"
"You-!" Albert began, before freezing. "You- you can't die?"
"None of us can." Greg commented. "Part of our whole deal. I mean, how do you kill smoke? Or energy? Or aura? Or a world?"
"I'm pretty sure he got it after smoke." Andrew rolled his eyes.
"Yeah, I know, but once I started I couldn't stop." Greg sighed.
Albert frowned. "I- even so, you're my daughter! I'm not putting you on the front line against a horde of Rune Beasts!"
"I'm not going to hide while people die when I have the power to help them!" Victoria retorted.
"Dear, she has a point." Melissa interjected, placing a hand on his shoulder. "This isn't something we can afford to hold back on. If we don't do everything we can to defend the town, then we could lose everything."
Albert's expression twisted. "What is the point of all these guards and Hunters if my daughter is the one who ends up on the front line?!? I've built these forces to keep my family safe, not so they could cower behind while my family risks their lives!"
"But part of our responsibility as the lords of this land is to defend it!" Victoria protested.
"That is my responsibility! I am the lord! You are a child!" Albert retorted. "You have no responsibility!"
"I'm not- you can't-" Victoria sputtered for a moment. "But I can still help!"
"I don't need your help." Albert growled, grabbing her by shoulders. "I need you to stay safe."
"I will stay safe." Victoria replied. "But I need to help keep everyone else safe too."
"Albert, you can't keep her hidden away forever. Our daughter is strong. You need to let her help." Melissa added.
Albert groaned. "Fine! But you will follow orders! You go where I tell you, and if I sound the retreat, you retreat, understand!?!"
Victoria nodded, grinning slightly. "I understand."