Orr was odd, yet the other two elderly men were freaking insane. They spoke words that I needed a thesaurus to understand, and it was worse than when we had to study Henry VIII in Year Twelve for English. Not only did we find out it was voted the worst play Shakespeare ever wrote, but he also didn't even write it all himself. Now, I was sitting through an unending recounting of things that were beyond my scope of understanding, and even worse, I had to rely on Solace to translate them.

We had not even made it to the feast; we had just a few very nice drinks served by Orr, which Bart described in much more detail. I was shortening his name out of spite: "The venerable Orr gracing us with his presence this evening is not a barkeep in the traditional sense, though a purveyor of potent elixirs he may be on occasion."

Maybe because Bart was a military guy, Jean seemed to be in her element. Then again, she got on with everyone. I was a bit concerned because she seemed to be drinking quite quickly.

The potent elixirs were indeed potent and very tasty. I was not a cocktail connoisseur, but I liked the fruity drink Orr served up. It was spoiled by the goblet it was served in. I did notice the crystal on the table so they could make glass.

While waiting for Luke, I showed the recording of Luke and Ted's fight to Bart and Ted. I was calling Thaddius Ted until he learned to talk with fewer than 100 words. They laughed hysterically with so much melodrama that I was worried about their sanity.

In my short time with Orr, I had learned that these 'esteemed' gentlemen were the remnants of the guardians of this place, left here to watch and monitor both the 'errant' dungeon and the rifts, 'the cracks in a weathered tapestry of the very fabric of reality itself.'

Orr remained very aloof and did not join in the frivolous banter of his companions, and I got the distinct impression that he was long-suffering. He was deft with his drinks, and he also seemed to be able to keep my tastebuds interested. Despite my Tier, he was serving stuff that gave me a light buzz. I wished he had been at our party, and it may have given me the courage to do some things that I had been too cowardly to do on the night. Shit, I didn't want to go down that rabbit hole of what-ifs.

Solace: This is high-grade alcohol and a toxin designed to lower your resistance. It is not poisonous, but it is common for people to use it instead of higher Tier alcohol. There is also a mix of unknown energy matrix. Possibly related to where we are. I would remain cautious and sip through dinner.

Crap, Solace, you are taking away my one coping mechanism. I was planning on writing myself off and trying to forget this dinner. At the rate Jean is drinking, she won't make dinner.

Solace: I am not sure if you are joking or not.

Me neither.

Solace: Jean is palming her drinks. I don't think she has had one yet.

Ted left to go and get Luke, and he drew the shorter straw or lost in Rock Paper Scissors against Orr, with Bart commentating; it took ten times longer to listen to the commentary than the decision.

"Alas, the winds of fate, ever fickle and capricious, blow in a most unexpected direction. With a flourish that befits a seasoned gambler, Professor Thaddeus reveals his chosen weapon—a confident "Paper." However, Orr's gaze, seemingly piercing the very fabric of reality, counters with a… precisely timed "Rock!"

Ted left with a grumble. "I am a seasoned duelist, Professor Thaddeus! Undefeated! Yet when the dastardly Orr, Orr, Seer of Ages Untold, the scoundrel, revealed his chosen weapon – a most…" he sighed "…predictable Rock.' I had foolishly and enigmatically countered with a…" He pinched the bridge of his nose, "…devastatingly ill-timed "Rock!"

Jean and I drank – or palmed the drinks – while Bart and Orr drank with great gusto. They were maddening.

It was not long before Luke came in, and boy, he looked nice. Hot. Where he got a tailored suit from, I don't know. I was in my Leaf of Broken Seasons: Formal Black, which was not so much using the Skill, but Solace and I splurged on the energy to remove it from the extradimensional space, and I had to put it on manually. Rough, I know. I even had to do my own hair, which, luckily, was easy to manage. It just fell into place and seemed to behave itself. Solace refused to be drawn into the discussion about the higher tiers and beauty and fashion effects, but I am sure I just willed it to stay in tight tails, and it did. Something to experiment with later.

Shit, I was nervous; I had a quick check to make sure I was decent, smoothed the dress down and flicked my hair out of my eyes; I had one of those Lara Croft single stray bangs. I was not as cool as Angelina, who just blew it out of her face, not yet, anyway. I loved that movie. I loved the look on his face, and it was one I would remember for a long time. I felt his aura wrap around me, and he could not hide his feelings. Or maybe I was projecting. It didn't matter, I had made a promise to him, and seeing him now, it was one I would keep.

Before he could acknowledge me, Thaddius barged in, said some pretty nice but barbed compliments about how we all looked and paid out on Luke about his fight – which he totally deserved.

Jean and Luke had a bit of a pissing match, one that I knew would happen as soon as Jean told me Luke was in charge, she was competent and needed to know what was going on, while Luke was more of a let's see how it pans out, but someone should tell me what to do kind of person. The only reason she was so nice was because she needed our power. And look at me, mum; I was finally in the Legion, well, Alpha Team or squad or whatever, as an auxiliary.

Shit Mum. Fuck

Shit, Solace, I need to spend time with my mum. Please remind me that I must do that when we return to Earth. Shit, I feel so guilty.

Solace: The system dampeners must be reduced here. I will remind you when I can.

Then Ted proceeded to propose a toast.

Orr handed Luke a crystal goblet, which I was jealous of.

Solace: That is a concentrated version of what Orr has been giving. Havehave a look at I in your mage sight.

Wasting some energy, I looked at the cup, and a tiny shot of clear liquid shone and pulsated with bright, multicoloured strands of energy. It was every energy and none, in a constant state of flux. In the drinks that he had given me and Jean, it was not noticeable, yet this here was something that, with the right senses, stood out like a bonfire on a dark night. Or a conspicuous conflagration in the dominion of the deepest night is how I imagined Ted describing it.

We drank our drinks; even Jean finished her drink properly. Despite Solace confirming it, I watched as I had yet to see her palm one.

When Luke excused himself to go to the bathroom, Ted asked us to sit and feast.

A case of theft: this story is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation.

I made sure Luke was okay and took my place at the table.

I did not listen to the entire menu but focused on the protein on offer.

"a succulent leg of lamb, slow-cooked to melt-in-your-mouth perfection, awaits your delectation. For those who favour the bounty of the sea, a platter brimming with the freshest fish graces the table. Salmon, its flesh a vibrant pink, and plump prawns bathed in a delicate lemon butter sauce are presented alongside glistening oysters nestled on a bed of crushed ice."

That was enough for me. I was seated beside Luke's empty chair and opposite Jean, with Ted on my right. Orr continued to pour drinks, this time wines, red, white and sweet. He kept a remarkable silence as Ted and Bart spoke volumes.

After ten minutes, I pinged Luke, and he claimed he was ok and didn't need help.

Orr spoke, "Luke may be some time, so let us begin. For as we eat, we can recount our needs and forge our alliances."

The food was as good as it looked and smelled. For the first five minutes, people were eating. All of us just piled our plates and ate.

At the first break, when Orr stood to pour more sweet wine to go with something, I didn't care; it was divine. .ean started with the questions.

"So, who are you people really?"

Orr looked from Ted to Bart, and they all nodded.

Bart stood. The room dimmed, and he was illuminated. I detected no energy use or spells. I decided to pay attention to this.

He lowered his voice, and it took on a rhythmic cadence that seemed soothing and drew me in.

"Lend me your ears, esteemed companions, for I weave a tale steeped in forgotten lore and echoing with the reverberations of a bygone era. We stand upon the desolate remnants of an Imperial outpost, a testament to a glorious past now shrouded in the mists of time."

An illusion of a vibrant and bustling city appeared before him. It was a drone's view over a town, tiny people scurrying around.

"This very bastion, once a beacon of civilisation amidst the untamed wilds, was privy to a most momentous discovery – the secrets of the Emperor himself, Raxemius Janar, a name whispered with both reverence and trepidation. Among us stands Orr, scion of a lineage most noble, a descendant, several times removed, of the Emperor himself – Keilani Orr Jinar."

Shit, is he related to Rach?

Solace: If he is speaking the truth, then possibly.

Shit.

"Fate, ever capricious, intertwined its tendrils with the machinations of a most cumbersome institution known as the Senate. This cabal, a council of Merchant Princes, wielded power not unlike a fickle mistress, their pronouncements subject to the whims of avarice and self-preservation. With the Emperor himself lost to the mists of time, his heir presumed lifeless, a power vacuum yawned, threatening to destabilise the very foundations of the Empire. The question of succession loomed a viper's nest of ambition and intrigue. Hence, Orr, a descendant of the Emperor though several times removed, found himself caught in the crosshairs of this political tempest. While some viewed him with suspicion, a potential claimant to a throne shrouded in uncertainty, others saw an opportunity. The Senate, ever shrewd, recognised in Orr not a threat but a tool. His knowledge, these secrets gleaned from the Emperor's past, could be manipulated for their own gain."

He spoke well, his voice soft and strong. It thrummed with hidden energy, yet once again, there was no skill or spell.

"Thus, exile became his reward, not a punishment for his discoveries but a calculated maneuver by the Senate to contain him. Banished to this remote outpost, Orr's access to power and influence would be severely curtailed. Yet, fate, as is its wont, holds a most curious hand. While the Senate sought to control, their actions inadvertently set in motion a chain of events destined to reverberate throughout the very fabric of this world. Orr's presence, a spark in the tinderbox of this outpost, would ignite a fire that no council of men could foresee. The tale continues to unfold, a tapestry woven with threads of exile, forbidden knowledge, and the machinations of power. Hold fast, esteemed companions, for the tapestry thickens, and the true consequences of Orr's banishment are yet to be revealed!"

He paused to drink, a long, slow pull on a flagon. Wiping foam from his beard, he continued his tale. The illusions continued, vague and ill-defined, probably intentionally so, but it was like watching a sepia silent movie from 100 meters away.

"Banished to this remote outpost, a place starved of the very lifeblood of the Empire – energy – Orr's destiny seemed sealed. Yet, within him burned a spark, a flicker of ancestral knowledge. He bore with him the forbidden secrets, knowledge deemed heretical by the rigid strictures of the system. Driven by an insatiable thirst for understanding, Orr delved into these forbidden arts. He unlocked the secrets of the ancients, manipulating energies that pulsed beneath the very surface of this world. Alas, such actions, like fluttering a butterfly's wings, can have unforeseen consequences. Orr's tampering, a noble pursuit in his heart, wrought havoc upon the world's energy matrix, a delicate house of cards, now rent asunder, a blight erupted from. From this tear in the very cloth of reapted – a most malevolent force that ravaged the land. The Empire, ever pragmatic, chose to abandon this once-proud outpost, leaving behind a skeleton crew to monitor the festering wound. The rest of the planet was ravaged by the Eindweaver, an Orb of the Damned, a horrific device designed to consume the aberrant energies and compress them into a malevolent core. Since that fateful day, we, a mere trio, have stood vigilant. We have eschewed the rigid strictures of the system, turning instead to the forgotten ways – the ancient pre-system techniques. As the ambient energy of this world slowly, painstakingly heals itself, we, too, hone our skills, ever watchful, ever vigilant. This esteemed companion is but a glimpse into our shadowed past and our uncertain future. We stand at the precipice of a new dawn, the fate of this world hanging in the balance. But fret not, for within us burns the embers of hope, fuelled by the wisdom of the ancients and the unwavering determination to see this world reborn."

As he finished speaking, I felt Luke's Aura flare. It was cleaner and more powerful than the one I had felt before.

To Luke: Are you ok?

Sprite: He is busy. He should be ok; I will let you know if he needs assistance. It might take some time, as it is a little messier than we thought.

To Sprite: Messier?

Sprite: He can tell you if and when he feels necessary. I'm sorry, I have to concentrate. We will let you know how things go.

Jean looked at me, "Did you make the connection?"

I nodded.

She looked at Orr and said, "That's a lot of hogwash. It sounds good, but it doesn't tell us anything. You want something from us, and we need something from you, and all we get are outlandish tales that are light on details. You must provide a reason to trust if you want our trust."

Orr smiled, "See. I told you."

Ted spoke this time as the lighting in the room rose back up.

"A pronouncement of "I told you so" would be a most unrefined and uncharitable response. Indeed, the tapestry of events has unfolded most unexpectedly, a testament to the fickle nature of fate. Perhaps a more…" Thaddius did like stroking his beard "..constructive approach might be to offer a gentle reminder. A mere murmur of, "The whispers of past warnings seem to echo with renewed relevance in light of recent developments" should suffice. The goal, of course, is not to gloat or belittle but to ensure that past experiences inform present actions. Let us move forward, united in our purpose, and navigate the challenges that lie ahead with the wisdom gleaned from both past successes and, of course, the occasional cautionary tale."

Orr sighed, "No Hope. Secrets Answer True. Justice's Writ and Throne of Hunters combined to produce sentient beings. Forsaken the old power of training and meditation to cheap tricks and shortcuts. The system transcends all, forbids, blocks, prohibits, and grows stronger. "

His eyes turned white, and his voice dropped and became deep, urgent. "When built on dark, unstable chait os, will crumble without much power. Power, energy, and growth consumption are wrapped in the lies of Karma. Steal energy from elsewhere, and elsewhere fights back. More sentience and Karma strikes back, but elsewhere and splinters discordant."

His eyes were becoming bloodshot, and a drop of blood fell from his right ear. I moved to help him, but Bart held me back easily.

Orr started trembling. "Earth. Shattered, yet gateway of hope. Save remnants, flee and recover, recoup. This universe darkens; there is no hope. Yet."

He coughed, flecks of blood spraying into his beard, "Purge, Purge, Thrice more Purge. Being court consort and champion, not Drake secrets and Judgment dance, your greatest fear lives yet. Trust with care, love with abandon, though Jimar's spawn blood flows true. Sacrifice and power cannot save."

His breath was ragged, and he fell to his knees, trembling, "Tell Luke I am sorry; he was always destined to be a tool."

Thaddius caught Orr, "Blast that seer and his preternatural intuition!" He easily lifted Orr and took him from the room.

Bart looked from Jean to me as if nothing unusual had happened, "A most curious turn of events, wouldn't you say, esteemed companions? The very fabric of our revelry seems to have been…disrupted, momentarily thwarted by the enigmatic Orr. Therefore, why not raise a toast rather than lament the temporary disruption? A goblet of the finest vintage, perhaps? Let us celebrate the spirit of the future, the camaraderie that binds us, and the promise of an evening yet to fully unfold. The bounty of the still table awaits, and who knows, Professor Thaddeus' appetite may return with renewed vigour whence he returns and after a refreshing libation!"