*Scrrrrat-ch*
After a little over half an hour of sighting the three unknown watercraft, the rigid orange rubber raft scraped hard against the sand as they ran ashore. Morgan felt the noise more than he heard it, as there was currently a lot of competition for attention.
"Mer! Mer!" Barked the Princess with as much concerned wrath a Beast could communicate. She clung to his chest, using her own body as a shield to protect the burned and bruised flesh visible through the newly made viewing window. "Meeerrr!"
[All I am saying is that you should look presentable in front of your peers, and right now, you look like a random modern art piece titled, 'I simply live with the pain.']
[Perfect.] He absently joked as most of his focus was on calming Momo. [If I'm giving off that kind of intimidating aura, this meet and greet with the locals should go off without a hitch. No need to risk another piece of irreplaceable clothing.]
When no snappy reply or dramatic sigh immediately followed his half-serious remark, the Professor knew something was wrong. He looked up from his upset Beast to find Ego staring at him with crossed arms, one brow raised. When they spoke, their tone contained an unamused patience that reminded uncomfortably of his childhood.
[Uh-huh. Tell me, Professor, what is the most precious resource for a Cultivator other than Cultivation?]
[Their reputation.] Morgan answered automatically before immediately realizing and correcting his mistake. [But that concept, lowercase 'c', is called Face in Vajrayana.]
[Wrong.] They sighed and manifested on the beach to continue the lecture. [Again, as I have told you several times, one's Face and reputation are two related but ultimately different things. The latter is more self-reflective, while the former is almost entirely public perception and an order of magnitude more central to Vajrayana culture. Currently, neither of us has any Face to speak of, which is problematic since we need to visit a Tea House in the Capital. Wait, did I tell you about the Tea Houses already?]
In truth, Ego had told Morgan all about their next destination at least 12 times today alone, but why bother the irate specter with that fact now?
Realizing that explaining his comment was said off-hand would be useless when they got worked up like this, Morgan didn't bother interrupting. Instead, he figured his time would be better spent another way, so he played along.
[At least once.] He projected while gingerly shrugging off the lab coat. [They're sort of like a cross between a library, a news station, and a rich country club, right?]
[Close enough. Tea Houses are businesses that store, buy, and sell any information they can get their hands on to anyone with enough money or connections. Our Patron made it clear that such an establishment is our best shot for following up on my only lead. Since we don't have a single penny to our name, we must start making connections. Like flies to honey, making connections is far easier if the public perceives us as honorable and powerful. This situation could allow us to prove ourselves if we play our cards right.]
*Pop*
From a distance, Morgan watched the troubled Spirit pace back and forth on the beach. He might have found their obliviousness amusing if they didn't remind him of a caged animal wound tight with stress.
[However, our potential gain here is secondary. We're also diving into a scenario where we have no idea who is who. Purple Cloak could be a harassed innocent, a criminal on the run from the law, or what we saw was a clash between criminals, and maybe even this whole thing is a simple misunderstanding. We can't say for sure until we find them and figure out the truth. A task which will go a lot smoother if any potential criminals involved don't have visible proof that you're injured and ripe for a robbery.] Ego's patience threatened to crack as what had to be weeks of pent-up anxiety and anticipation surged under the surface. [So I am begging you, for me, please change your shirt… Morgan?]
Ego called out to him once they finally realized where the raft had been was now only a half-washed-away dent in the sand. Their bald head swiveled over to the shimmering double emerald waterfall that was their preferred entrance to the Swamp. There, the Professor waited alone, wearing a fresh black shirt and holding an open umbrella in each hand.
Somehow, that sight wasn't even the strangest they've seen today.
[After using the ring, I sent Momo ahead to quietly scout the perimeter of Bizarro with orders to find us if she finds anyone or circles the island twice without getting a hit.] Morgan reported calmly when the blushing avatar joined him. [I told her we'd head straight to the island center and search there.]
[That is a good plan.] Admitted the Monk, their Mala beads clicking softly from within their sleeves. [Sorry for flying off the handle like that. It's just that… I was only half kidding earlier when I called you Fate's chew toy. But now I feel like we both must have racked up a ton of bad Karma in our last lives because it feels like the Universe is playing us like, and excuse my language, a gosh darned fiddle today! If other people's lives weren't in potential danger, I'd be tempted to hide and quietly follow our visitors back to town.]
Morgan's chest pained him greatly as he almost busted a gut laughing. Not at Ego's clear distress, the Scientist only flirted with madness. Yet it had just occurred to the Earthling that 'gosh darned' was the closest the Monk had ever come to cussing. Thankfully, the permanent frown didn't so much crack from the internal struggle.
[Relax, Monk, I get it. The pressure can… make you do or say things you might regret. Apology accepted.]
Darkness returned to the avatar's flushed cheeks, and a mischievous grin shattered their downcast expiration.
[Oh? You hesitated for a second there, Professor.] They teased, sounding more like themselves before manifesting on the opposite side of the toxic waterfalls. [Recalling a regret from your past? Remember that I am always willing to listen if you need to get something off your chest. Catholicism isn't really my wheelhouse, but I am a monk. If you want to do a quick Confession during what might be a long search, I am happy to listen.]
[Thanks, but I'll pass on your generous offer.] He chuckled and mentally prepared for the stunt needed to enter the high-density air bubble. [As for the search, I have an idea that could help.]
----------------------------------------
Not five minutes later Ego was telling him, [I can't believe we already found them.]
[I know.] Morgan projected with a mental snort from below. [What I really can't believe is that these people actually found a way to get their boats on the water.]
Now, that was a concept he never thought would be so baffling for him. But as always, context was king.
[You say that like it's a bad thing. Aren't you happy that your idea worked so well?]
The Professor's idea was to give Ego a bird's eye view of Bizzaro Swamp by having them stand unseen on the water in their incorporeal avatar. Well, 'stand' wasn't exactly the correct term, as incorporeal should mean that the Spirit would automatically phase through any material. So technically, they were floating at affixed points relative to a horizontal surface, and it only looked like they made physical contact.
Morgan figured the swamp's surface might be enough to allow them access above. He was right, and Ego quickly found two of the three vessels. One of the smaller crafts and the larger both bobbed by a large patch of plant buoys not 25 meters away.
[Oh, I'm happy the idea worked. I'm just surprised these people chose to chase and be chased over water instead of coming down here where there's plenty of cover and choke points.] He shrugged.
[Down there?] They asked skeptically. [Where there are Spiritual Beasts, and nobody can talk to anyone without sounding like the evil overlord in a bad Sci-fi flick.]
[You say that like it's a bad thing.] If anything, more chaos could help either party.
[We can banter later.] The Monk said testily. [I need to concentrate… It's hard to make out what is happening, but I think I can see two grays on the larger boat. One keeps walking around the boat, but the other has their back to us and is… maybe yelling? I'm not sure, but they keep waving and throwing their hands up in the air.]
[Hmm. That missing craft bothers me, but it could've been the one that was damaged and was simply tossed away. If everyone is on the boats, then we can spy on them.] He mused. [Let me try to get closer.]
Like an alligator creeping through the submerged undergrowth of the Everglades, Morgan silently navigated towards the crafts through tight spaces between the branches.
So far, they had managed to close half the distance, and things were looking good—until he grabbed what he thought was a branch. It was a branch, just a dead one that had been used in constructing a nest.
Unable to take the force of his weight, he accidentally ripped out half of the structure and caused the occupant sleeping on the other end to wake. The home intruder and the groggy Stymphalian homeowner stared at each other for a whole heartbeat until instinct finally took over. The Beast turned 180° and swam with all the speed its penguin-like body could muster.
In half a second, it slipped up into the swamp water layer, and the Scientist knew it was planning on circling back.
[Morgan, stop moving!] The Monk suddenly screamed. [The guy walking around pulled out a bow, turned this way, and fired something into the water! I think they spotted- Hold on. Now they're talking to each other and… oh, thank the Heavens. They're saying it was a false alarm.]
[If we're close enough to hear them, then tell me what happened.] Morgan said, though he suspected that he already knew what had spooked the others into action. Naturally, he still had to ask.
[Don't worry; it has nothing to do with us. Apparently, one of the birds got too close, so the guy patrolling shot at it with a bow and arrow.] Ego tried to dismiss his concern and urged him to move in. [We're almost close enough for me to get a good look at them. I think I see a bit of purple fabric lying on the deck, so we-]
[Ego, if the guy with the bow was on the other side of the boat and the other gray had their back to you, How did he know a Stymphalian was approaching them?] The Professor insisted.
[Bow-Guy said something about a Beast crossing his Scout Array's inner threshold.] The Spirit answered with a growing unease. [Look, that doesn't matter right now. I can hear Boss, that's what Bow-Guy called the other one, yelling and kicking at someone on the boat to wake up. I hear chains rattling with every kick, so Purple Cloak must've been captured. We need to go right now!]
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[Right now?] He asked calmly.
[Yes!] Now, their irritation was directed at him. [What's the problem?]
[I am injured, have only 75% max Mana, and maybe a third that in Qi.] He reported, waiting for them to realize what he was getting at. [And yet, you still want me to get closer so we can help?]
[Actually, I was hoping we could join Boss and get in on the- OF COURSE I WANT US TO HELP!] Their sarcasm became a shout of frustration that almost made him flinch. [Distract them with a Technique while I pull Purple Cloak off the boat, use a Rush arrow to flip the boat for a grab and go, or do whatever crazy plan pops into your head! We have options besides a straight-up brawl thanks to this little thing called the element of sur- Oh no… I understand the issue now.]
Almost too late, Ego realized what Morgan had instantly noticed. The enemy, for anyone that would beat a prisoner, was an enemy, had deployed some kind of security system. This Scout Array that the Stymphalian bravely and unknowingly saved the duo from walking blindly into.
[Sweet Dao, I am an idiot today.] They moaned, defeated and disgusted with themselves. [Dang it, how could I miss something so obvious?]
Honestly, Morgan was asking himself that same question. Usually missing the obvious was his shtick. Internally, he wondered if the Spirit was suffering from something more than nerves. That was the angriest he'd seen them since his first time using the Bloodline. But now was not the time for a psychological exam.
[You're not an idiot; an idiot would've kept screaming without realizing their mistake.] The Professor soothed while getting comfortable in the tree. [Listen, Ego, a successful rescue isn't possible now, but if these people are waking up a prisoner, there is a reason for it. I need you to report everything you hear verbatim because it might tell us how we can help if we can.]
[Okay. Umm… It sounds like Purple Cloak is just now waking up, and Boss is asking her-
----------------------------------------
"Who else is on the island with us, huh bitch?" Boss snarls, her piercing voice ringing out like how a hammer strikes an anvil. "Is that why your ass is out here? Leave the City to meet up with some secret Kin you have stashed here? Which island were you heading for before you saw us?"
"If you wish to question someone, you will find them more receptive before assaulting them." Lectured Purple Cloak coldly, almost as if she were a teacher explaining the obvious to a particularly dimwitted child. "But I'll overlook your enthusiastic questioning this time. As for Kin, Why would any of my companions be out in the Wild Sector? My team is in the Capital, waiting for me to return from scouting out the potential race course."
The sound of flesh striking flesh and metal chains rattling fills the air.
"Don't you dare lie to me." Warns Boss. "There are only four islands in this Heaven-forsaken cluster, and you passed right by the only one marked for the race with out a second glance. I watched you from the shallows with my own eye. You think I'm some kind of fool you can talk circles around with half-forged lies?"
"I think if you want me to play along with whatever made-up story you have in mind, I'll need to read my lines beforehand." The captive sighs. "An actress should know her lines."
"You dare to keep playing games!?" Bleats Bow-Guy, the rasp in his gnarled voice could curdle milk left out in the open. "My Scout Array detects two more Sapient Souls than there should be. So we already know your Kin are between 30 and 10 Chi from us. We already sent out our boy to find them, so it's only a matter of-"
"Shut up." Threats Boss. "I mean it."
"So you and your flunkies were waiting for me to land near the island." Muses Purple Cloak. "Now, that is very telling. A raiding party of nobody thugs shouldn't have access to such expensive information or these restraints. Considering that you admitted to waiting in ambush, that implies you had prior warning of my leaving. While I can't figure out how you beat me here, it's tempting to believe I am being targeted by a force with access to coin, resources, and spies within the Capital Guard."
Nothing is said as Purple Cloak pieces together the villainous entity that would dare to hire criminals to do their dirty work. Such evil must-
----------------------------------------
[Ego.] Interrupted the Professor while scanning the area. [You're just telling me what you hear, remember?]
[Whoops, sorry. I got carried away there with story craft. I'll tone it down some.]
----------------------------------------
The next words of the captive are edged with a teasing joy a predator must feel when playing with their meal. "Tell me, how much did the Filo Conglomeration pay for your services? Guessing from your shabby robes, I suspect it didn't take much. 15, maybe 30 Silver Drachma each?"
"You don't need to-" Snaps the leader, but their captive's provocations prove too much for the flunky and he is seething in his response.
"We're getting paid enough per contestant so that it's worth not cycling you right here and now, you miserable- Ow! S-Stop! Wait Boss please! Oof! Boundless Void, I'm sorry!"
Whatever string of no doubt horrendous curses Bow-Guy wants to foul the air with is cut short by the sounds of more violence.
----------------------------------------
[Holy shit.] Morgan exclaimed, cringing at the display of sheer stupidity. [This idiot might as well rent a plane and sky-write his entire confession for the world to read. What an amateur.]
[Hee-hehe! That's exactly what Purple Cloak is laughing about.]
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"Grauf-ufufu!" The captive nearly howls with laughter. "Per contestant, is it? So, I was mistaken. The Brothers aren't plotting against me directly but against all Cultivators joining the race. Likely, every captured contestant is made an offer they can't refuse, but I doubt such… new hires like yourselves know anything more than needed. So why don't I recommend a more lucrative deal for everyone involved."
"W-what's the p- the pay?" Grunts the flunky, clearly not understanding his lesson on talking.
"Well, that depends entirely on how much you're willing to ransom me back to my Clan. However, do not settle for a poultry sum; even as a Wayfinder, I am worth no less than 50 gold."
“Baa-haha-ack!…” He laughs weakly between pained coughs. "A ransom? N-no deal. As if… anyone with more than a point in Intellect, w… wouldn't know what'll happen when you try to… ransom someone from Cl-ack! From Clan Caesar."
"Ahh." The revealed Caesar sighs, verbally deflating a bit. "So you did recognize me. Well, it was worth a try, no?"
"Both of you better keep your mouths shut unless spoken to, or I'll cast a bolt right up your furry asses." Snaps Boss, no longer willing to tolerate any more diversions. "You are really testing my discipline now, girl. I want you to look me in the eye and tell me who you're here to meet."
"...Are you still going on about that?" Asks the bemused Caesar. "I already told you I-"
"NO! No more lies. No more stalling! This damned job will be over today!" Thunders Boss over the sound of crackling energy that makes it very hard for a Spirit to hear the conversation. "I have been stuck on this piece of shit raft with these bleating idiots for two days, and if I have to wait a single second more, I will develop a Heart-Demon! Every night, I dream of finally seeing a vessel heading toward the Capital, and every morning, I wake back to the nightmare. Now I find some Noble bitch sniffing around for what can only be my target. I will not be tricked, blinded, and have my meal escape me!"
N-Nobody spoke, I mean speaks as the informative outburst shocks everyone. Even the two eavesdroppers are having trouble comprehending what they just heard.
"Hold on a minute, Boss." Says Bow-Man. "Are you saying we're actually hunting someone? Is that why we're out here instead of the usual-"
"WHAT DID I SAY ABOUT TALKING!" Screeches Boss with the fury of the-
You know what I can't do this anymore. I'm coming back down.
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[Morgan!] Gasped the Monk after manifesting on a nearby branch.
[I know.] The Professor stated numbly, his hands unconsciously fidgeting with three dreadlocks a piece as his mind raced from question to question.
[Boss isn't out here for race contests or whatever is going on. She is here for us. She planned to ambush us!]
[I heard.] Not that he understood it at all. As far as the trio knew, only three individuals knew of their unique situation. Of the three, two wouldn't talk, and even if they did, they didn't know what Realm he was in, let alone the friggin planet. As for Eris, Morgan doubted even a Bodhisattva of Conflict had so much free time as to send goons after them.
[We've been stuck on a remote island this entire time! What did we do to anger these Filo people?]
[I don't know.] That was another question that bothered him because there shouldn't be an answer. It would be one thing if this Capital Guard mentioned was after them as being a Cultivator not following the Diamond Tantra was a crime. However, these thugs seemed to work for either a criminal syndicate or a business with shady connections. Regardless, why would a conglomerate send criminals to uphold the law?
[Alright, let's not panic yet.] They continued to panic, but now at a measured pace. [We might have a friend held captive up there, or at least an enemy of our confirmed enemy.]
[That is an assumption I intend to test.] He declared, his eyes fixed towards the unknown threat. [That captive might be our safest source of information or, at the very least, a potential ally that could help us detain the leader. Either way, we need to free her, and I have a few ideas in mind for that.]
[What's the plan?] Ego asked before a thought crossed their mind. [Wait. Whatever we decide, we should wait for Momo to find us first. With the third thug out there somewhere, it's likely she's on the way here or will be soon to warn us about him.]
[Agreed. We'll have her take us to him.] Morgan said as he looked around for the Princess. [Keep your eyes and ears peeled for her teleporting around. Look for anything that catches-]
[Found her!] They shouted excitedly before disappearing from sight.
[-your attention.] He finished with a sight.
In those precious few seconds of privacy before a nerve-wracked Spirit, a bewildered Aether-charged reptile, and the latest calamity would need addressing. The Scientist had to admit that he felt slightly left out as the only crew member unable to teleport.
Of course, he had tried to mimic the Princess's signature Move; it was the very first thing he attempted after Breath. But unlike the lessons learned from the inhabitants of Lamplight Isla, Morgan was never able to get it to click with his Cultivation Method.
Oh well. It was a big Multiverse, and apparently Cultivators had an uncomfortable long life span. Eventually, he'd figure it out.
----------------------------------------
From up in new a tree canopy, the trio watched the foe with his back turned to them, crouched before a tree located maybe 100+ meters from his fellows, and completely naked save for a leather belt holding twin sheathed short swords. Placed under his... hanging fruit was a green box, weighed down with a rock to keep from floating to the surface. The box peaked his interest, though not nearly so much as the man.
Morgan could see corded muscle flexing in the arms and the spine shifting under his pale skin. From under a black current of unkempt hair sprouted two tightly curled ram horns that one could almost mistake for blond hair buns at a quick glance. What could not be mistaken was that from the waist down, the Mortal was coated by sleek short hair that matched the currents and drew attention to the inhuman legs—not that the Scientist found that displeasing.
If anything, the strange hairy limbs were his most fascinating feature. The horns a close second.
The thighs and knees were built like any man's; however, his calves were shorter because the ankles and feet started farther up the limb than any Earthling's. Well, for any human Earthling. There were others who had legs very similar to what the Scientist was observing, especially as both the Vajrayian thug and the animal in mind had hooves.
[Well, I'll admit this is a more interesting-looking alien than the squid was.] The Professor chuckled as he kept a firm hold over the growling Princess. [Now that 'bleating fools' bit is starting to make more sense.]
[We are being hunted… by the goat from that Disney movie?] Was the Spirit's disbelieving question. [I knew my Universe influenced yours heavily, but- Oh?]
[Hmm?] Morgan turned, looked to Ego, and saw their brow furled in concentration. [Something wrong?]
[No.] They blinked just before his necklace began to heat up. [If anything, it's a pleasant surprise for once.]
image [https://i.imgur.com/Ta8mkiD.png]
Ahh. That was right. The Professor had almost forgotten about the Class Core and its interesting capabilities. Thankfully, his Patron had supplied yet another tool for his grand undertaking.
So, Gregory Stumpchild was labeled as Inferior by whatever metric the Core grades used. Now that was interesting—so much so that Morgan was almost tempted to smile.
He pulled the side-shielded sunglasses from the inner pocket of his coat. The emerald lighting tinged the round black-tinted lenses and silver metal frame green.
It had been a long time since he needed the pair, but the Scientist kept them close, just in case. After all, one never knew when the perfect research opportunity would present itself.