The Pit woke up late in the morning. This was a habit born out of the sacrifice of her internal alarm clock, a part of her pact with a demon known as Izeman. As such, it was Pauldros the Stonemaker's responsibility to make breakfast for the two of them. He cracked eggs on a stove, added flakes of rosemary to the mix, added slices of onions and bell peppers to their omelettes. They lived in a house just down the path from Mt. Redress, a small cottage that had been built by the two of them, together. The Stonemaker had raised the earth, had carved stone into bricks. The Pit had used her demonic menagerie as a workforce, putting the house together, a six-armed, ox-headed demon placing the roof onto the house, slapping on the tiles shingle-by-shingle.
In the other room, Pauldros watched her mutter in her sleep, turn in her bed. She, too, was having nightmares as of late. As was he. When Pauldros slept, he dreamed of screams. Most of the night, they were familiar – those of his mother. His father. His brother and sister.
And yet, recently, the screams at night were foreign to him. Far more numerous.
He told himself that they were easier to forget. To push down.
(Why, then, did he feel such guilt?)
He was thinking of this, holding the pan in hand, when breakfast went up in flames. Pauldros let out a bark of surprise, moving the pan away from the stove, batting a hand at the burning eggs. Earthen dust from the walls came to life, beckoned at his command, smothering the fire.
And ruining the eggs with a much grittier seasoning. Dusted with dirt. Pauldros glared down at the remains with a frown.
“Everything alright?” the Pit asked behind him.
He almost jumped at the sound of her voice. Pauldros turned around. She was at the door frame, wrapped in a blanket.
“Oh, it's, ah,” Pauldros said, “It's nothing. Breakfast will be a bit late.”
He dumped the remains into the trash.
“I didn't mean to wake you,” he said.
“It's fine,” the Pit said, “I was getting up anyways.”
She sat down at the table. Pauldros walked over to the fridge, pouring out a glass of juice for her. He placed it in front of her, noting, for a moment, how mundane he felt. Light poured in through the window. He could hear children playing outside, gathering for the day's lessons. A few neighbors were calling out “Hellos” and “Good mornings” to each other.
The Pit sipped the juice. Pauldros started breakfast up again, and this time the attempt was much better. He laid out two plates, put the omelette out, cut it into two pieces, one much larger than the other, for the Pit was never much one for an appetite. The two of them tucked in.
“Mmm,” Pauldros said, “I added too much salt again.”
The Pit did not respond.
“Maybe I'll get some of that drikma from Molesque. I heard it's good with eggs. Maybe get some meat in it, too, I need to get back on that weight lifting regimen.”
“Hmm,” the Pit said.
The Stonemaker looked up at her. She had hardly touched her food.
“Everything alright?” he asked.
The Pit did not respond for a few moments, her thin brow furrowing.
“Everything is fine,” she murmured.
Pauldros looked at her, before giving a nod.
“You should eat,” he said, “It's going to be a big day.”
“My love,” the Pit said, “Every day is a big day.”
She stabbed a fork into the omelette. Took a bite. But there was the way she said it that did not leave Pauldros convinced.
***
They left soon after eating, walking down the path from their house to the main road, towards Mt. Redress. Other New Ludayans joined them, heading to Mt. Redress to continue excavating the mountains, or to store food, or for various meetings with the Ruler class. It was a cold day, and though Pauldros enjoyed it, he noted that the Pit was shivering.
“Here,” he said, and he took off his vast cloak, putting it over her shoulders.
“Pauldros, my dear,” the Pit said, “We're in public.”
“No one cares,” Pauldros said, smiling.
Indeed, no one gave them any mind. The Pit looked away.
“You will be cold,” she said.
“Please,” Pauldros said, “I grew up on Echor III. Cold is a close friend.”
He smiled at her. The Pit returned it, albeit reluctantly.
As they approached the ramp up to Mt. Redress and its interior rooms, a class of children spotted them. Pauldros's eyes went wide and almost glittered as they ran over to surround them. The Pit notably took a step back.
“My friends!” he said.
They all but tackled him, laughing and cheering and giggling, climbing up his mountainous form, using his arms like tree branches, one of them even managed to get up on his head, the tips of her fingers suction-padding onto his temples to hold on.
“Alright, alright,” their teacher said, “That's enough.”
It was Meloche. The philosopher was plodding his way forward. He was good at controlling a classroom when they were gathered 'round, but not when they were ready to play. Usually Meloche took the class in after their exercise period.
“Meloche,” he said, “Indani sick?”
“A bit of a fever,” Meloche said, “Nothing major. I volunteered to look after them for the day.”
“Ah, lucky you,” Pauldros said, with a hint of sarcasm, “I'll make sure to get you the strong stuff tonight.”
“I'll need it,” Meloche said, “Come now, children, that's enough.”
“I can handle them for a few minutes,” Pauldros said, “Tell me, friends, would you like a story?”
“No!” one of them said, “Make us something, Stonemaker!”
“Make us something!” another repeated.
And they all repeated it, one by one, until it was a chant around him. Pauldros rolled his eyes, shook his head in a good-natured way. He looked over to the Pit.
Who wasn't paying attention. She was staring up at workers near one of the mountain's cliffs, lost in thought. The Stonemaker's smile, for a moment, flickered.
Then he rested a hand on the ground. The earth on the road seized up, and a stone playground rippled up from the depths. The children, as one, let out a series of whoops before washing over it, climbing atop and sliding down its slide. The only one who didn't go was the girl on Pauldro's head, and that was only because she was having trouble unsuctioning herself.
“S-Sorry, Stonemaker,” she said, “Sorry sorry sorry.”
“It's fine, little one,” Pauldros said, and he winced as she pulled at his skin, one of the suction pads popping from his head, leaving a ring in its place, “Take your time with it.”
“They are not being careful,” the Pit said.
“Ah, my constructs are fine,” Pauldros said.
“I'm not talking about that,” she said, “One of the workers, he strays too close to the-”
And indeed, atop the cliff, one of the men fell. He was near the ledge, which broke underneath his elephantine foot. With a trumpet of surprise, he started tumbling down the mountain, hitting a few outcroppings before going into a freefall.
The Pit raised up a hand. Activated her metahuman power. Fished through the pacts in her belly, trying to find one...
A specific one...
Her eyes went wide.
Nothing leaped from her form. No demon broke out of her belly like a chick from the egg.
The worker continued falling-
And a hand of light caught him. Large and pillow-like, it scooped him from the air.
“Trouble, Pit?” Luminary asked.
She was just behind them, accompanied by Mister Meaning. The two of them were, in a rare moment, outside of Mt. Redress, coming up the road behind Pauldros's little group.
“I...” the Pit blinked, “It is fine.”
A few people were gawking at the sight of the elephantine metahuman and the hand that held him. Luminary lowered him down to the ground beside Pauldros's playground. The children, at the sight of the founder, went silent, and moved away from the Stonemaker's creation.
The elephantine worker patted at himself for a few moments, as though in awe he were still alive. Then he gave a bow to Luminary.
“I owe you my life,” he said.
“Nonsense,” Luminary said, “I am doing what we all do. Go to the infirmary, get yourself checked out.”
“He seems fine to me,” Mister Meaning said, “He could probably tank a glassmaker.”
“I will,” the worker said, “Th-thank you.”
And he rumbled off. Luminary watched him go, before turning her attention to Pauldros and the Pit.
“We'll want to put up some railings up there,” she said, “Pauldros?”
“I'll get on it,” he said, “When I have time. I've got half a dozen other projects I'm working on for you.”
“Hmm,” Luminary said, “Very well. Add it to the list.”
And she strode off. Mister Meaning gave a half-mocking bow and a half-mocking smile to them as he followed.
The children, after a few moments, gathered to Meloche. Luminary's presence had cowed them, and now the philosopher could herd them away and to their class. He gave a nod to Pauldros, who returned it, before they disappeared into the woods.
The Stonemaker looked down at the Pit.
“Is everything alright?” he asked.
She was quiet.
“Pit, talk to me,” he said, “You've been withdrawn today. More than you usually are.”
The Pit looked away.
“I am...” she said, “I appear to be missing one of my pacts.”
“What?” Pauldros said, “Who? How?”
“It is Izmanuzu,” she said, “A demon of the wind. He is gone. I don't know how.”
She looked up at Pauldros.
“I don't.”
***
We should speak of Riah Truegale. It was his duty to train the Warriors. To coach them. To drill them. To turn them into soldiers, for when the time came. He was a tall metahuman, willowy and thin, with a short, triangular beard. He wore simple white clothing that did not cover his arms and legs, revealing small holes on his limbs. He sat in the middle of the training field as Joseph and Fractal approached. Dozens of metahumans, Warriors all, were taking part in drills behind him, climbing through obstacle courses, firing various weapons down a shooting range, and practicing their abilities, paired off in twos. Fire and ice spun in the air. One metahuman was attacking another with his multiple arms, the other hardening the air around her as a shield in response. All around them were the sounds of metahuman training and metahuman warfare.
Evancar took a second to hang back, watching the proceedings. He looked a bit out of place as he watched the Warriors spar. As the multiple-armed metahuman overtook his opponent with a ragged shout of triumph.
“Ah, Fractal,” Riah Truegale said, “This is...?”
“Cobalt Joe,” Fractal said, and she smirked at him, “The visitor.”
“Ah, the guildfolk,” Riah Truegale said. He shook Joseph's hand, “Good to meet you. Fractal told me about you last night.”
“All bad things, I hope,” Joseph said.
“The worst,” Riah Truegale said, “She makes good friends.”
He took a moment to size Joseph up. Looked back at Evancar.
“A guildmate of yours?” he said.
“Yeah,” Joseph said.
“Not a metahuman.”
“No.”
“Some people get all the luck,” Riah Truegale said, “Well, now, Fractal says that you've got abilities in line with a Warrior class. Is that right?”
“Something like that,” Joseph said.
“Show me,” Riah Truegale said, “A quick sparring session. Nothing major.”
“If it's all the same to you,” Fractal said, “I'd like to be the one who faces Cobalt Joe.”
“Is that right?” Joseph said, “Putting the money where your mouth is?”
“Feeling's mutual,” Fractal said, “You said some pretty tough stuff, Birdboy. I want to see you back it up.”
“Alright, alright,” Riah Truegale said, “Into the sparring pit, you two. Go on.”
Fractal started to move off to one of the fenced-off areas of the training yard. Joseph went to follow her. Evancar jogged over to his side.
“Ah... Joseph. Joe. Sorry, Joe?”
He turned.
“Are you sure this is a good idea?”
Stolen from its rightful place, this narrative is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.
“It's just a sparring match,” Joseph said, “You've seen me spar with Broon and Mekke dozens of times.”
“Broon and Mekke use swords,” Evancar said, “That's a fully fledged, trained metahuman you're facing.”
“I can take it,” Joseph said, and he turned, “What, you worried about me?”
“I'd rather not be the one to explain your untimely demise to Becenti, is all,” Evancar said, “I'm already on thin ice with him.”
Joseph glowered.
“You're fine,” he said, “I think Becenti's just being overprotective.”
“He has a right to be,” Evancar said, “There have been moments where I've said the wrong thing... you know me, Joe. I sometimes don't know what to say-”
“Hey, Birdboy!” Fractal called from the ring, “You a hawk, or a chicken?”
Joseph looked up at her. Then looked to Evancar.
“Relax, man,” he said, “I'll be fine. You can watch, if you want.”
He jogged over to the fence. Bounded over it. Met Fractal in the center of the ring. Riah Truegale nodded at him.
“Alright, son,” he said, “Show us what you can do.”
Joseph stretched. Felt his soul surge across his body, jumping from point to point, a circuit to gain power. A split-second later, the eagle erupted from his back, hanging over him like a hawkish god. It mirrored his stance as Joseph raised up his fists.
Fractal took a moment to take it in. There was a fire in her eyes.
And then she changed. An energy washed over her, orange and ever-shifting, overtaking her form and making her a fractal silhouette. Everything – her skin, her hair, her sari – became as one, became a vaguely humanoid pattern of triangles and lines. The air around her rippled.
And seemed to expand, bit by bit, as Joseph watched.
“Better hurry, Joe,” Riah Truegale said, “If that field gets too big, it'll be over.”
Joseph bit his lip. He had not expected this.
But, then, this was a metahuman battle. The unexpected was normal.
He took a few steps forward.
“What's wrong, Joe?” Fractal's voice echoed as though she were in a hallway, and her eyes, which were glowing and pupil-less, slitted down in mirth, “Feeling silly right now, aren't you?”
“Nah,” Joseph said, “Just testing the waters.”
The eagle disappeared. Joseph re-circuited, firing off a bolt of lightning at her. A small one, one that would shock her, send her flying. Certainly not kill her, of course.
It struck Fractal directly in the chest, and she was shoved back. She shoved her hands down, and she started sinking into the earth, which shuddered and broke beneath her. The air rippled as she did so.
And continued to expand.
Her eyes were wide with surprise.
Riah Truegale laughed.
“Remember your science, Fractal!” he called out, “The lightning's just a bit too fast for you. Gravity is the hammer here, not the blade.”
“Gravity?” Joseph said. He looked over to Fractal, who was pulling herself up. The air rippled once more, and she was in the air.
The eagle came back to life.
And she rushed forward, twisting her body as she did so, not so much flying as falling sideways in a dropkick. Joseph brought his soul's arms up to block the blow, which connected with its forearms and-
Oh, god. She hit much harder than he anticipated. He felt something crack in the soul's arms, and he was shoved back and-
And she was still going, pushing him back, her weight increasing each and every second. The field was expanding, and Joseph felt it difficult to move as he tried to extricate himself from her blow. It was as though weights had been strapped to his legs, his arms, his back. Everywhere, really, an intense pressure that forced him down.
Gravity.
The air rippling.
Joseph let out a grunt, and the soul lifted up an arm, swinging at Fractal. Fractal broke off, floating into the air, the rippling air – no, the aura – following her. When she left, the pressure eased. Joseph let out a sigh of relief.
And knew that she was holding back, like he was. The thought scared him.
Her field was expanding. Joseph looked up at her as she twirled through the air, swimming through it like a lionfish. Cold pain from her strike eased down Joseph's spine in a slow trickle. He released the eagle, let it dissolve back into his form to fix up its arms.
“Not bad,” he said, “Not bad at all.”
***
“He's good,” Riah Truegale said, “He powered through the pain there.”
“Y-Yes,” Evancar said, “He's been known to do that.”
The two of them had moved off to the side to watch Cobalt Joe and Fractal spar. Already the battle was growing intense, as Cobalt Joe was increasingly forced to retreat, as Fractal's gravity aura grew in size and scope.
“Is...” Evancar said, “Is there an upper limit?”
“To Fractal's field?” Riah Truegale said, “As of right now, no, but its growth does start to slow down as time goes on. It's amazing. She only awakened a few months ago, and already she has such control over it. She'll be one of the greatest of us, mark my words.”
“I-indeed,” Evancar said.
Cobalt Joe was firing off another series of bolts. Small ones, little zips of light that speared around Fractal, who was bobbing and weaving in the air to avoid them, descending and then ascending, though it looked more like she was falling both up and down, changing her own gravitational pull to mimic flight. What mattered was that Joe was keeping her away from him.
A figure moved beside Evancar. A man in a sleeveless jacket, his arms covered in shimmering scales. He wore an easy smile.
“Riah Truegale,” he said.
“Ah, Rainbowfish,” Riah nodded to the other metahuman, “You missed today's drills.”
“I apologize,” he said, “I was called away by Luminary for a job.”
Riah Truegale fixed Rainbowfish a look, as though he did not quite believe the younger metahuman's words. Then, he nodded.
“Very well,” he said, “You'll be here tomorrow. I will speak with Luminary to ensure this. You will not miss any more sessions, I promise you that.”
“I'll be there,” Rainbowfish said, “Now, ah, I think Fractal's going to crush that newcomer.”
Indeed, Fractal had finally closed the distance between herself and Cobalt Joe. Joe was moving slower as she flung herself at him, twisting at the last moment and delivering a hammering blow to the eagle's head. Cobalt Joe's eagle dissolved once more-
“A farce,” Riah Truegale said.
Indeed, Cobalt Joe, powering through the increased gravity, brought a fist forward, one that curled with lightning. A bolt flung from his hand, pierced Fractal's stomach like a spear.
She continued bearing down at him, using her power to anchor herself in place. And shoved Joe down like a hydraulic press.
“I'd better stop them,” Riah Truegale said, and he jumped over the fence, “Alright, that's enough!”
Rainbowfish and Evancar watched the instructor jog to the middle of the field. Fractal was unsteady on her feet as she stumbled back, the fractal orange pattern disappearing. Cobalt Joe was kneeling on the ground, breathing heavily.
“You're... Amber Foundation, right?” Rainbowfish said, “An archaeologist.”
Evancar adjusted his glasses.
“I am,” he said, “Professor Evancar Morandus. Guild archaeologist. Specializations in the Daynian Paradigm and the Qing'Oghma Squall.”
“Rainbowfish. Metahuman. Warrior class,” he shook Evancar's hand, “You got a second? There's a few people I want you to meet.”
“I do believe I should stay with Cobalt Joe,” Evancar said, “If that's alright.”
“It'll be for just a second,” Rainbowfish said, “I've got a few associates who want to meet you.”
“I really do think-”
“It's about some ruins they've found on the plane,” Rainbowfish said.
He said this in a hurried whisper, evidently not wanting to be overheard. Evancar's eyes widened.
“I was told there...” he swallowed, “I was told there weren't any ruins here.”
“Lunus and the others will be able to tell you more,” Rainbowfish said, “They're out in the woods near here. They've had to be on the down low.”
He made to move off.
“You coming?”
Cobalt Joe was still winded. Fractal offered a hand to help pull him up. He was smiling, but there was an exhaustion in his step. Evidently Fractal had done more damage than she had anticipated. He probably wouldn't notice Evancar disappear...
“For a few minutes, nothing more,” the archaeologist said.
“Good,” Rainbowfish said, “Come on.”
***
Kehaulani and Lunus Oculus were the two who had decided to meet the guild archaeologist. Everyone else was busy – the work of nation-building meant that meeting someone in the middle of the morning like this was difficult. But Lunus Oculus was never one for structured work, and Kehaulani was still technically on maternity leave. As such, the two of them waited in the woods for Rainbowfish to return with the archaeologist. Lunus was leaning against a tree, her eyes burning blood red. Kehaulani was sitting on a tree stump, her son, Makaio, bundled up in her arms. She was rocking him gently. Thankfully, he was a quiet little thing, and was asleep. No crying today, not for something as important as this.
Rainbowfish pushed through the branches and brush with the archaeologist behind him. The branches whipped at the guildfolk, who let out a squeal of surprise, ducking before they smacked him in the face. He looked much like any other academic, with his glasses and his bag of books and his generally vacant stare.
He took a moment to look at the two of them.
“Is that a baby?” he asked, “I'm not good with kids.”
“His name is Makaio,” Kehaulani said, “You need not worry. He's asleep.”
“Oh, good,” the archaeologist said, “I had to babysit for my brother once. That didn't go over very well. Little tyke got into my bookshelf, ruined a book from one of my professors, only twenty-five in existence, not barring potential copies in the Flyleaf Forest. It was mostly primary sources, though, so you could most likely get them from the Silver Eye, or...”
He blinked.
“I'm rambling,” he said, “Apologies.”
Kehaulani suppressed a snort. Lunus Oculus smiled at him. Rainbowfish rolled his eyes.
“I got your guy, Lune,” he said, “That it?”
“You should stay,” Lunus Oculus said, “This near to the training yard, I don't want any awkward questions if someone stumbles in.”
“And you think that I can stave those off,” Rainbowfish grunted, “You do realize I'm already on Riah Truegale's shitlist, right?”
“Better you than me, right?” Lunus Oculus said.
Rainbowfish muttered something under his breath, but he stayed.
“Ah,” the archaeologist said, “I'm afraid I'm at a loss here. Who are you...?”
“I am Lunus Oculus, and my comrades here are Rainbowfish and Kehaulani,” Lunus Oculus gestured, “You're the Amber Foundation's archaeologist, aren't you?”
“Yes. Professor Evancar Morandus,” Evancar scratched the back of his head, “Good to meet you, I suppose. Which, I do suppose! Oh, anyways, you said something, or rather, Mr. Fish-”
“Just Rainbowfish.”
“Rainbowfish here,” Evancar corrected, a bit hastily, “You said something about ruins on this plane?”
Lunus Oculus looked to Kehaulani, who nodded.
“Yes,” Lunus Oculus said, “Ruins. They're about a day out from here.”
“Hmm,” Evancar said, and he pulled out a book from his bag, “...Can you describe them?”
“We'd prefer you to see them for yourself,” Lunus Oculus said.
“Well, that won't do,” Evancar said, “How can you be sure that they’re ruins?”
Lunus Oculus pulled a face. Kehaulani spoke up.
“...The Council has eyes and ears everywhere,” she said, “We'd prefer to keep it as quiet as possible.”
“And yet you're talking about it, so brazenly, to me,” Evancar said, “If they've got eyes and ears, they already know.”
He looked at Kehaulani.
“The very mention of 'ruins' would probably cause a stir in the Council, wouldn't it? Damn the details, its very existence is taboo.”
Kehaulani's mouth formed into a thin line.
“I-I know politics,” Evancar said, “And I'm not a fool when it comes to them. Legacy is an empire in of itself, and if this plane was previously inhabited, it damages the mythology your nation is trying to make.”
“And yet,” Lunus Oculus said, “The ruins are there.”
“And you're sure they're ruins?” Evancar said, “T-trust me, I'm willing to believe you. I'm not doing my job if I'm not. Is it from an archaeological dig?”
“It's a cave system,” Lunus Oculus said, “Near the mountains, on the western side. They show signs of wear and carving.”
Evancar nodded.
“I see,” he said, “Anything else?”
“There are...” Kehaulani said, “Signs of... habitation there.”
“Habitation?”
“The shells of old buildings,” Kehaulani said, “It looks like they've become overgrown, but they're there.”
Evancar nodded.
“And no one's noticed them?”
“No one,” Lunus Oculus said, “It's not an area that many New Ludayans frequent. It's out of the way, and the earth there isn't very good for farming.”
Evancar nodded. He flipped through a few pages in his book, running a finger over a passage, “In the mountains, you say?”
“Yes,” Lunus Oculus said.
“And you haven't found anything else?” he said, “Nothing by the rivers?”
“No,” Lunus Oculus said.
“...Interesting,” Evancar said. And he nodded, “Very well. When can we head there?”
“Now would be preferable,” Lunus Oculus said.
“But that won't be an option,” Rainbowfish said, “People are still working, and if they're to the west then we'd need to cross through the farmlands. That would attract attention.”
“...Tonight, then,” Lunus Oculus said, “We'll leave while everyone is resting.”
“And I want to bring my comrades,” Evancar said, “Cobalt Joe and Becenti.”
“Becenti?” Rainbowfish said, “Luminary's old friend?”
“Okay, maybe not him,” Evancar said, “But Cobalt Joe at the very least. Aldreia Firedawn, if I can find her.”
“Why would you want to do that?” Kehaulani asked.
“I'm not going out in the middle of the night to ruins with strangers,” Evancar said, “It's archaeology 101.”
“Even if that stranger has a baby?” Kehaulani asked.
“Especially,” Evancar said, “I've been tricked by that before.”
Kehaulani blinked.
“If they're amenable to go, they may,” Lunus Oculus said, “It's... one of your guildmates, his name is Joseph?”
“Cobalt Joe,” Evancar said, “He's giving that name a spin.”
“Cobalt Joe, then,” Lunus Oculus said, with a smile, “Very well. He, and any other guildmate, may join you.”
Rainbowfish gave her a slightly concerned look. Lunus Oculus returned it, tried to answer the question in his eyes. They were conditions they could work with.
(Better a few more guildfolk than none at all, yes?)
“Good!” Evancar said, “I'll bring it up to Joe. Now, ah, I should head back. Rainbowfish, would you...?”
“Of course,” Rainbowfish started moving out. Evancar waved goodbye to Lunus Oculus and Kehaulani, and joined him.
Lunus sighed. Kehaulani shook her head.
“He'll have to do,” she said.
***
Joseph's head was spinning. His entire body ached, as though he had done a full-body workout. He stood stiff as a board as he spoke with Fractal, who was being looked over by a couple of medics.
“He was holding back, but do be careful next time,” one of the medics was telling Fractal.
“He shouldn't have,” Fractal said, “Then he might have won.”
“Har,” Joseph said.
One of the medics moved from Fractal and started looking him over. They tut-tutted in a way that reminded him of Elenry, feeling his arms, his shoulders, poking at his forehead. Their two heads flashed iridescent as they did this last action, before nodding.
“I see your soul,” they said, “It is hurt, but not gravely so.”
“Hell of a dropkick,” Joseph said.
The medic pulled a bottle out of their pouch, pouring a few pills into their hand.
“For the pain,” they said, “Nothing that won't heal with time. Take it easy, over these next few days, hmm?”
“Y-Yeah,” Joseph said. He took the pills, “Swallow 'em whole?”
“With water, which I will now prescribe,” the medic said, a tad robotically, and they handed him a waterskin, “Take one every hour until tomorrow. If the pain persists, see me.”
“Right,” Joseph said, “I will. What's your name?”
“Cosette C-Thru,” they said, “I will be here tomorrow.”
“Thanks, Cosette,” Joseph said. They nodded, and they and the other medics took their leave. Riah Truegale smiled at him.
“Not bad,” he said, “I can tell you've got a bit of trouble not going all out, but you handled yourself well out there.”
“Becenti threw me into a life-or-death situation pretty soon after I awakened,” Joseph said, “I've never done things halfway.”
“And it shows!” Fractal said, “I had you at the end there, Cobalt Joe. Had I pressed a little harder...”
“Yeah, yeah,” Joseph said, shaking his head, “Hell of a power.”
“And it will only grow more powerful with time,” Riah Truegale said, “And, more importantly, with training.”
“Yes, yes,” Fractal said, and her cheer lessened, “I will keep this in mind.”
She looked over to Joseph.
“You did good,” she said, “If you had gone out, do you think you would have won?”
Joseph shrugged.
“Come, now, Cobalt Joe,” Fractal said, “The truth.”
Joseph thought for a few moments, putting his hands in his pockets.
“You scare too easily,” he said, “And your dodges are a bit slow. You're relying a lot on your power, which makes you overcompensate when push comes to shove.”
Fractal's eyes widened. Riah Truegale barked out a laugh.
“A real fight,” Fractal said, “What would you do?”
“Aim better,” Joseph said, “Nail you before you get close. My lightning doesn't seem affected by your gravity. I hit you with enough volts to stop your heart. And it's done.”
“If you hit at all,” Fractal said, and her voice was low.
(Almost dangerously so.)
“Now, now, you two,” Riah Truegale said, “You both did well. Cobalt Joe, what Fractal said is true. You have seen real combat, and you know that it's life or death in most circumstances. But there are times where you must not reveal your entire hand. You risk hurting those around you if you do.”
Joseph nodded, remembering his previous battles. The rooms he had wrecked. He had burned down the entire wing of a library during one of his fights with a crusader.
“Yeah, that's true,” he said.
“And Fractal,” Riah Truegale said, “You rely far too much on your power. If you lose it, or if something happens, you must be able to look after yourself.”
Fractal sucked in a hiss. Then stood straight, and nodded.
“Yes, sir,” she said.
“Martial arts will help,” Riah Truegale said, “Rainbowfish is a master at that. I'll have him start helping you specialize in something that fits your body type and talents.”
“Yes, sir.”
She smiled at Joseph.
“A good spar, Joe.”
Joseph smirked back at her. Both of their eyes were filled with fire.
“Yeah, it was.”
Then, out of the corner of his eye, he saw Evancar. The archaeologist was waving to him.
“Hold up,” Joseph said, “Let me go see what he wants.”
He made to jog, though even with the pills he felt a stiffness in his shoulders and back that forced him into an awkward half-walk. Fractal had done more damage than he thought.
(He was glad she was on his side.)
“Evancar,” he said, “What's up?”
“Cobalt Joe,” Evancar said, “I think I might have just fucked things up.”
“What do you mean?” Joseph asked.
“It's...” Evancar looked around, to be sure he wasn't being overheard. Fractal and Riah Truegale were back to talking to each other, not paying the two Amber Foundation any mind.
“Go ahead,” Joseph said.
Evancar swallowed.
“Well, it's like this, Joe,” Evancar said, “A metahuman by the name of Rainbowfish just approached me. He has quite the proposition in mind...”