Chapter 10
Space is beautiful. It’s endless, all-consumiong maw stretched before Mikey’s eyes as he was enraptured by it’s beauty. The depth of color, the range of temperature, the movement of celestial bodies, and the big lady.
That’s one big lady, he thought as he floated through the swirl of space that comforted him by taming the extremes of the outside’s splendor.
Then he was moved as if he blinked, he opened his eyes to a massive castle. The palace like structure made him feel like he just climbed a beanstalk. The giant hallways were made for beings much larger than Mikey.
The entire area was shown brightly as if every surface was giving a white glow. The floor was polished until it looked like a mirror and the walls were lined with rich tapestry that depicted the jewels of life from joy of a loved one to a simple meal made great through hunger.
I wonder how much one of those tapestries would be worth, the smaller teen thought as he heard a light giggle fill the air. The world began to shift, the hallway extending as countless doors filled each side.
Having seen a horror movie once or twice in his lifetime, Mikey ran. Farther and farther he moved as the wind around him became thicker and thicker until he was swimming. Swimming through rhe air to escape whatever giggling mostronsity that was about to ask the question.
“Do you want to play a game?” the serial giggler asked.
After swimming to a standstil, he decided he had to bite the metaphorical bullet, he turned to the newly formed doors that surrounded him and opened one. Mikey seeing the utter nothingness behind the door, slowly closed it.
Then the nothingness screamed and he was sitting in front of a door with an oh so familiar design set in jewels.
Forgetting his fear to try to pry the massive centerpiece from the design of a moon surrounded by evergrowing circles. The giant black opal representing the moon looked down upon Mikey’s futile attempts before grunting and opening the door.
The door threw Mikey onto a beach. The warm white sand coated him as he rolled about in a fit about losing the largest windfall of his life.
Stopping for a second he looked up and saw the ocean and the small island be sat on before turning to a young lady in a beach chair beside him.
“You always could make me laugh. Its nice to finnaly meet you face to face, Mikey” said the beautiful woman as she stood and Mikey realised it was the big lady from before was now shrunken down to an average height of six feet tall.
With soft ivory skin speckled with star like freckles, long silky dark hair and bright red lips, she could entrance even the most stalwart of people. On top of that her eyes were a bright orange hidden by a pair of sunglasses.
Mikey was captivated in an instant.
However, it was not her unearthly beauty or her radiating power that made his heart beat at an unnatural rate, it was the giant piles of glittering gold and jewels that were scattered around her feet, like tiny grains of sand. She wore a simple bathing suit with a robe but there was countless of small jewels and precious metals interwoven into every inch of the fabric, making it a sea of riches. Just one yard of this cloth would be enough to make him the richest person in the entire City-State.
He knew he was caught gawking when he looked up and saw a small amused smile on her lips. For some reason he really liked that smile, perhaps it had something to do with the fact that it meant he wouldn't be dying a messy death so soon.
After all how could he not recognise the dreamscape he’d been pulled through. How could he not recognise the place where he had been before. How could he not recognise the sky spirit he had created.
There is beauty in the ephemeral. That is what he chanted fervently as he stood on the sand. It was the only thing stopping the tears from overwhelming his eyes.
“That doesn’t mean that, I don’t want it to be eternal.” Mikey muttered as the tears rolled down his cheeks.
Mikey smiled at the feeling of reluctant joy before turning to the sky spirit to ask,”I take it you’re the one that brought me back here?”
“Yep. Why are you crying and smiling at the same time? Could you not make up your mind about whether to be happy or sad? I understand if you did, it happens to me a lot. I thought you’d be happier if you saw something like this.” The Spirit chirped with a smile and eyes full of curiosity. She circled Mikey several times seemingly unsure of what to do.
“It’s because I’m feeling happy and sad at the same time. I hopoe you don’t mind me asking some questions to confirm what I’m seeing is right?" Mikey asked while chuckling.
The giggling girl looked him in the eyes and gave him the smile of Extreme Comfort before saying, “Ask, silly one.”
“This is my dreamscape and your a figment of my conscious I created to help me come down from The Drugs, right?” The teen asked hopijng he was right.
“Yes and no, This is your dreamscape or more specifically the fourth layer, The Heart’s Home, and you did make me or I should say help reform me with your constant prayers and asking for blessings but I’m real. It’s nice to finally meet you face to face if not in person, I’m Lunaalia or The Lunator 5000 as my friends call me.” The giddy spirit revealed with snicker of amusement.
“What friends?” Mikey blurted out before he could hold his tongue
“Hey, I have friends.” The Great Spirit pouted as she responded to Mikey’s outburst.
He didn't know if what she said was true or not, about being real or having friends but, either way it didn't make much of a difference.
"So was there a reason for summoning me, My Lady?" He said, turning up the charm.
Lunaalia quickly shook off her pout to give him a look of confusion, “You were the one who reached out to me, I just answered?”
Raising an eyebrow at the answer, he decided to say a follow up question, "So, why did you decide to answer me?"
The overly energetic spirit bounced around in a way that was awfully similar to Ishtasa(without the violence) as she answered, “I was curious. It has been centuries since I was fully formed, I was sure that you all had forgotten me. Actually, how do you know about me?”
Furring his brow, Mikey looked confused by the question, "Can't you just read my mind to figure that out My Lady?"
“'I only have as much power as you give me Mikey. This is after all your mind. You think I'm a great spirit who can enter your dreams, so I can. That I’m one who should be coated in jewels, in a place of luxuries, so I am,” Lunaalia said, causing Mikey to drift back to her possibly being a figment of her imagination.
He had found out during his study sessions that the spirits had mostly left this world. Although they were quite powerful, the great disaster that led to the forming of modern day Cahokia seemed to leave a bad taste in their mouths causing them to withdraw from the world. This lead Mikey to think the one blessing his tags was a newly formed spirit rather than a reformed one. Thinking he was pretty safe in his mind, he decided to deal with her like he would any other real person, as a customer.
"Your kindness overwhelms me. I thank you for your sincerity, My Lady, and for answering my foolish questions. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to ask.” he said slipping into Super Suck-up Salesman mode.
“Oh you flatterer, you’re gonna make me blush. Well if i can ask any questions then I want to know about you.” The hyperactive spirit said as her face turned red and she hid behind a tree.
Straightening his back, Mikey puffed up his chest and answered in a proud voice, "I am a craftsman and a salesman. I create masterpieces and works of art for all, even the Sovereign's wife. While my name is not well known yet, I am confident that in a few years I will be renowned throughout the entire world! …and I suppose I could be considered a war mage in training." He whispered that last part as he was unsure of the Great Spirit's opinion on mages.
Javung now settled down to lay down on her chair looking prim and proper like she hadn't been bouncing off the walls just a few moments ago.
For the first time, the Great Spirit had a small frown on her face as she responded,”What's a war mage?”
Now it was Mikey's turn to look nervous.
Seeing his hesitance Lunaalia decided to press further, whispering to him like she’s sharing a secret, “Need a little more motivation, huh? I’ll give you some of those fancy pieces of paper you have my blessing.”
Damn, is she blackmailing me? Does she mean that if I don't give her information, she will stop blessing the talisman? I absolutely can't let that happen! Mikey thought worriedly, his respect for the Rabbit Spirit rose at her clever sales tactic.
As expected of the Great Spirit. she was able to back me into a corner with just the small amount of information I've told her. She probably pieced together the fact that I am a salesman and the large quantity of talisman she blesses every night, and correctly concluded that they are irreplaceable in my business, He thought.
Seeing the small boy freeze, Lunaalia was beginning to worry internally. She had thought that it was a fair deal, she would give him new and more powerful blessings and he would in exchange inform her of what was happening in the outside world. She knew it had been centuries since she sacrificed her physical form and was anxious to know the current state of the world.
Despite her child-like demeanor, she greatly loved this world and had sacrificed herself to stop the war between demons and spirits that was killing humans in the process. In another world without her, that war would have continued wiping cahokia off the map, killing all demons and spirits which would stop the flow of mana entirely killing magic.
She would never allow that to happen, her previous form that died back then cared for the world like a mother and her children. Now having been brought back by Mikey she saw the world as a chance for wonder and excitement. Having only just started to come back she couldn’t see the world until Mikey reached out and she jumped at the chance to learn more of the world her previous incarnation cared so deeply for.
Just as Lunaalia was about to offer a better deal, Mikey looked at her with eyes full of respect and admiration causing her to momentarily be stunned. She felt herself grow bigger, to the size of a giant, and more jewels emerged on her coat, until it looked like she was made of diamonds.
Taking a knee like a knight in front of royalty he gave her a blinding smile and responded, "I see. If that is your wish my lady, then I would be more than happy to inform you of the worlds current events. Although some of the information I say might not be entirely correct, it is true as far as I know of it."
Lunaalia extended one of her enormous hands toward Mikey. The teen didn't look worried in the least he trusted the Spirit to not harm him and even if he didn’t he couldn’t stop her. She put him into the palm of her hand like a precious jewel that needed a closer look.
Mikey was able to sit securely in her palm making him think, Is this her way of establishing her superiority, by saying that I am currently in the palm of her hand?
She brought him closer to her face, until they were almost eye level. Again, he says almost, because at this point it was clear that Mikey could fit in one of those pearly white orbs.
“I would appreciate that very much Mikey Anderson,” she finished with a small smile gracing her lips.
Mikey could sort of see her emotions now that they were connected physically. He could see the bittersweet reminisce and a sense joy and hope directed at him.
Unknowingly he gave her a wide grin as he began to tell her of what he knew of Cahokia’s history. He put the many long hours in the library to good use by painting the tale in front of her eyes.
Mikey made sure to not leave anything out or mislead her for two very important reasons. The first being that he wanted to gain her trust, so that when she was eventually revived she would not smite him on the spot. Second was that she would ultimately learn all of this anyway, when she could see the world once more with a semi-physical form.
He was only able to tell her up to the reign of the Sixth Chieftain before he felt the room shake.
"What!? Is this an earthquake?" he yelled in panic.
Lunaalia turned to the panicking boy that was running circles on her palm like scared chicken, causing the edge of her mouth to raise by a small margin, “It would seem that our time together is being cut short Mikey Anderson.”
Mikey stopped his panicking and let out a breath of relief, he didn't know what could have caused the room to shake, but hopefully it was nothing dangerous. "I understand. I am sorry that I was unable to tell you anymore Lunaalia."
“Call me The Lunator 5000,” she demanded like a small kid throwing a tantrum.
“How about I just call you Luna, my Lady,” Mikey suggested, skillfully avoiding the ridicolous nickname Lunaalia kept trying to give herself.
“I think I’d like that a lot.” Lunaalia said as she stopped her little tantrum, stood up and a gorgeous smile filled her face.
The small Mage School student looked shocked at her humble gesture and tried to hide the blush that spread across his face, "Just think of it as a favor between friends."
“… A favor you say? I will remember this for next time?” she said with a mischevious expression as she disappeared, letting her favorite creation wake Mikey up.
He did say he needed a friend, oh so long ago. Since demons and spirits can are two sides of the same coin, she decided why not.
It took Mikey a couple seconds to realize what he just said, but then his eyes shot open in horror.
Oh no! I just meant I was doing her a favor by giving her a better nickname! What if she took that to mean that she was doing me a favor and now I owe her? What if she wants me to fight a war against the demons? Wait, what if she expects me to do things free of charge! Mikey thought horrified at the idea of doing anything for free. In the back of his mind he knew he was forgetting something, but he couldn't remember what it was.
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Suddenly Mikey's head twisted to the side, and he felt pain on his cheek.
Pain blossomed on his other cheek, almost as if someone had hit him again.
He grabbed his throat in panic, when he noticed that he couldn't breath. The world around him was rapidly beginning to turn dark.
Then he woke up.
Fresh air-filled Mikey's lungs as he sat up from his bed. Ishtasa that had been sleeping on his face was thrown off, causing her to tumble off the side of the bed and bump her head on the floor.
"Oh Spirit! I almost died! Darn it Ishtasa, I told you to stop doing that!" the teen said to his rabbit partner as she rubbed her head.
He laid back down on his bed trying to calm his rapidly beating heart. It was then that he remembered the dream he had, wondering out loud, “Why couldn’t I seen any mana veins?''
Shrugging it off as some form of mana intoxication fueled hallucination, Mikey got up to get ready for the day and turned to his shrine. In the future, a high pitched womanly scream would be reported as coming from his room but whoever made that report was a lying liar who lies.
It was a manly scream.
"Ahhhhhhhh!" he screamed, like masculine manly man.
Quickly he hid under his bed like a 3-year-old. Ishtasa, trusting her partner to be the big scaredy cat he is, followed without a second later.
Mikey poked his head out from his hiding place with Ishtasa. The small bunny scanned the room in search of danger but was unable to find anything. Mikey however stared at the mask placed in the middle of the shrine, that he was sure wasn't there last night.
Then the memories of last night started to come back to him.
"Nooooo!" the smaller teen screamed in horror, no longer caring about the mask as he stood up, throwing the bed above him to the side. Ishtasa, startled by the scream, began to run circles around him trying to find the danger.
Focusing on his spatial ring, he was shown a large room in his mind, filled with numerous items. Mentally scanning for the items in questions, he noticed that one of his briefcase full of money and a hairpin were missing. Crumbling to his knees in despair, he looked helplessly at Ishtasa that was beginning to give him a concerned look. "Ishtasa, I did something bad yesterday."
"I’m never doing drugs(mana conversating) again. I should have known not to trust the shady man in the parking lot(the book in the library). Remember to only buy your drugs at an officially licensed pharmacy(no direct translation)." Mikey said before informing Ishtasa of what happened.
An angry furry foot of fury knocked him upside the head when he told her how much he gave away.
“Okay I deserve that," he admitted, trying to steady his vision. Ishtasa had pulled back a fair amount since a glancing blow is known to shatter stone, it was her way of saying I love you or I still need you to buy my food. One of the two, definitely one of the two.
Their new connection should have made Mikey able to ujnderstand Ishtasa but, the he was fairly sure all the squeeks coming out of the bunny’s mouth were just inventive cuss words not meant for his teenage ears.
While he would normally stop her from escalating things this far, he just ducked his head in shame, knowing that he would have done the same.
Once his partner had calmed down, she had refused to look at him and wandered to the fridge where she began scarfing down baby carrots in anger.
Mikey walked over to the first aid kit to use as a catalyst for a small heling spell to stop ythe church bells ringing in his brain.
Sometimes he regretted teaching Ishtasa the value of money, and while she might not be able to do long division yet, she could do basic math. She knew that less money, meant less luxuries, and less luxuries meant less snacks like carrots. Simple but effective.
After toning down the church bells to a ringing rotary phone, he went to calm down the bunny who was going through baby carrots like wood through a woodchipper. He never figured out how she could eat so much and still be on the smaller side for her age. Slowly, he approached her with a pleading look on his face. She noticed him behind her but refused to look at him.
"Come on, Ishtasa. I already feel bad enough already, can you please stop making me feel worse," Mikey pleaded as he hugged her close to his chest.
The small rabbit gave him one last nip right on his nose before turning around and letting him hold her while giving him a cold shoulder.
She was a very expressive rabbit.
"It would really mean a lot to me if you could forgive me. I'll even treat you to a buffet of your favorite foods later," Mikey said the last part knowing it'd be worth the cost, and sure enough Ishtasa folded.
She looked into his eyes trying to see if he was lying, before squeaking out a way too cute,“ Promise?”
He met her gaze and answered honestly, "Yeah, so please stop being mad?"
She didn't say anything, but she did manage to climb up his arms and press her nose against his cheek, before scampering off back to bed.
Mikey found comfort in the unusual act of affection from his partner. Smiking he turned his gaze to the next problem, the mask.
Steading his nerve he summoned a round shield large enough to protect him and walked toward the small shrine. Sitting there innocently was a black and silver wolf mask, on the forehead was the image of a moon wrapped in layers like an onion or a sun if squint and tilt your head. It looked to be made out of some type of metal but that wasn’t the problem.
It had filled mana veins, thousands of filled mana veins flowing in perfect synchronization. While nowhere near as complex as a human or an animal for that matter, the veins were perfectly aligned to enhance the abilities it gave and sort of computer like circuit that could only be a form of Artificial Intelligence that helped manage said abilities.
To even fill the troughs this thing was using as mana veins it’d take 30 times his full reserves. Even then it’d ve a stretch because he’d have to interweave the mana vein with the mana flow.
He would admit that it was tempting, a mask like that would be indestructible at a minimum, giving him the best protection when he needs to go out on missions, but he was still cautious of the warning. Deciding to stay on the side of caution he placed the mask in his ring and promised himself that he wouldn't use it unless it was an emergency.
It was then that he saw a talisman where the mask had been. It wasn't one of his so it could only be from Luna.
"Did she create this from my explanation on the Transformation spell? Could this mean, that I'm able to make these now?" Mikey said in a confused tone unable to believe the reason for why she would do that.
Wait! What if this is another part of her clever ploy?! By introducing new talisman, she intends to make me become dependent on them, and in turn, her! Genius! Of course, this is just what I would expect from someone I'm interested- I mean curious about, he thought quickly correcting his thoughts.
Becoming sure of his thoughts, he took the tag since it was already gifted to turn it away, would be an insult he didn't want to pay for.
"I'll have to make sure to place more offerings for her," Mikey thought as he paid respects to her.
Placing the whole situation out of his mind, Mikey could focus on more important things, such as how he would get his money back. He thought that maybe he could ask for the money back from the girl before she got outof town but it was far to late.
"I think I need a nice hot bath before I do anything else. Ishtasa! Bath time!" the smaller teen said as he called out to his favorite Lagomorpha.
Mikey could immediately feel his mood improve after the bath. He dried Ishtasa's fur with a towel and dressed her up in the little outfit she picked out. Mikey looked at the mirror over the sink and finally noticed the length of his hair. It was now long enough to reach the small of his back, grabbing a strand that came over his face he looked thoughtful, maybe he could weave something and strengthen it. His hair was already as strong as steel might as well put it to good use.
A thought for another day, he decided.
He dressed in his favorite blue shirt and black shorts combo that he had strengtrhened to point of being armor.
Grabbing his space ring before heading to the work room. He took out the old fermentation tank that landed with a heavy thud on his freshly cleaned floors.
Placing a hand on its worn-down wooden surface he tried pushing some mana into it’s veins for strengthening before the filling process only to encounter small bits of remanent mana stuck to the sides of the veins.
Strange. This must be the feelingings left behind be that crazy soup maker. Seriously who wantys to make soup that badly. Some people are just weird, Mikey thought as he closed his eyes and tried to connect with the left-over emotions.
Immediately he was able to see the image of the much younger soup maker, stirring the pot with a huge smile on his face despite being covered in sweat. The desire to want to make something delicious had been strong enough to become imbedded into the tank.
Unknown to him, his new ability was something he could always see but he ignored until the mana communication with Ishtasa fgorcefully opened his eyes.
Tapping the old tank fondly, Mikey began filling veins in the way the leftover emotions encouraged him to.
Mikey was able to strengthen it 7 times before he took out a Craftsman Talisman, since it was usually around this area where things began to get tricky. The mana grew loose or thick after being cvondensed in one spot but the Talisman could handle that while he painted the design it whispered back for his mana to fill.
Mikey had failed at this part more times than he liked to count and as a result he had an abundance of mana dust which he kept in separate storage rings.
He had learned from his previous encounters and was determined to keep a closer eye on his supply.
"Good. Good. Just one more. You can do it buddy," Mikey encouraged it, as he calmed his nerves. This was usually the most worrisome part. It was always hard to see an item crumble into dust before his eyes. He had lost track of how many times he had to feel the bitter taste of disappointment when a treasured blonging was destroyed. That soul wrenching sensation of knowing that he would never be able to see that item ever again, almost like losing an old friend. It never got better no matter how many times he did it.
Closing his eyes, he forced his mana into it.
He waited a few seconds, and only opened his eyes when he still felt something underneath his hand.
Letting out a breath of relief Mikey inspected the tank again. Some items that reach this point had the tendency to change their outer appearance, especially those that had acquired enough emotion.
The tank had transformed from wood and iron into a large white ceramic pot with green engravings half its original size. Similar to the pottery from ancient china it was a smooth porcelain that depicted the various stages of alchemy Albedo, Nigredo, Rubedo, and Citrine.
Mikey grinned at his extra fluffy companion before sayinjg, “It’s gonna make any food placed in it super delicious through refinement. Want to test it out?”
“Cheap,” Istasa said with an unimpressed look.
Damn. She saw right through me, Mikey thought.
"What? You think this some attempt to go back on my promise?" the greedy boy said in indignation before doubling down on his bluff by saying, "I told you already that I would take you out to eat. I am offended that you would think that!"
Ishtasa looked at him with skeptical eyes, before huffing in disappointment at his poor acting.
She was a very expressive bunny.
Mikey couldn't meet her unflinching stare and turned his head to the side in embarresment, "Fine, be that way."
Looking at the majestic pot, he thought of an idea. He took out the two soup stock barrels that he had gotten as a reward from yesterday. Even with the 36 gallons of product the tank was barely halfway filled.
"There. I'm not sure how long this is supposed to take, so why don't we go out to eat and come back later?" he told his furry companion, who excitedly ran to the door wagging her cotton tail in excitement.
Momentarily offering a prayer to his wallet, Mikey gave the pot one last look and shut the door behind him.
The inside of the pot began to give a faint glow, as the liquid inside began to stir itself.
In the office of the most distinguished man in all of Cahokia, a slightly more unbelievable scene was taking place.
"As I was saying, it is an honor to have you here, Sovereign," Chieftain Bearden said as he sat opposite of the surrounding buffer country's ruler.
On either side of him were his old advisors that stayed retired for a good reason. If a normal lost their edge over time then the two advisors behind him had rusted all the way through. The only reason they were in his office at all was that they saw the soverign approach and felt it was a good idea to show a strong front out of tradition. Fortunately his third advisor was absent after some of his more underhanded actions during the last disaster came to light leading to Lady Chaska's recent dislike of him.
The Sovereign was accompanied by one of his chief advisors and one of his personal guards.
"Please Lord Chieftain, no need for formality. I rarely get to act so spontaneously so I’d rather make the most of it," the man said in a jovial tone while whisperting the last part like it was some kind of secret.
What is wrong with his face?, the two advisors thought to themselves as they took a careful look at the man's appearance.
The Soveriegn was an ugly man but, now it looked like his hooked nose and and far too sharp chin somewhat fit his face. His once wide eyes had dark circles under his eyes with sunken cheeks and pale skin. His usually shaved face had a well groomed beard. The traditional white and blue suit traditionally worn by Sovereigns was absent, instead being replaced by some red and yellow silk robes with an elaborate headpiece in the shape of a phoenix.
Yet despite all of this, there was still a bright twinkle in his eyes.
"It has been quite some time. I apologize for the lack of preparation, but we were not expecting a visit. If there is something with which we could help you with, you need just ask," the Chieftain said with much less grandstanding then was normally required by two people of their standing meeting.
The advisors sat down letting their thoughts drift, curious for the reason as to why the Sovereign, who was famous for rarely leaving the safety of DC, would come to the Mage’s city-state.
"Haha, it's nothing serious I assure you. But my wife has recently taken a shine to one of your mages," the man said with a grin on his face.
Getting an idea where this was going Cheiftain Bearden couldn't help but ask, "Might I ask what their name is?"
Still looking cheerful the Sovereign spoke, "Yes, I believe his name is Mikey Anderson. My wife says that the boy is genius at his craft, I was hoping I might meet him as well."
Mikey Anderson? The advisors thought to themselves as neither one of them had ever heard of that particular mage before.
The only one that wasn't confused was the Chieftain as he had expected that. He had been sure to keep all information on the boy a secret, even from the rest of the council.
Stroking his beard in a slow motion, Bearden responded, "Ah yes, Mikey. If I'm not mistaken, I believe he is still a Mage School student at this moment, although he is scheduled to take the First-level mage exam in a few days."
Immediately after he said that, the Seventh could feel two piercing glares from his former advisors, no doubt they would demand an explanation about this later.
The plain looking man put on a thinking face and began to mutter out loud, "Hmm. I suppose it would be best to postpone our meeting until after the test. No doubt it will only cause excessive worry if we were to meet him now." Looking at the Seventh with a smile he inquired, "Do you think it would be at all possible for my wife and I to observe the exam, Lord Chieftain?"
Although it was phrased as a question, Bearden knew there was only one answer that the Sovereign wanted to hear, "Of course Sovereign-sama, I'll be sure to take care of it."
"Splendid! My wife will be overjoyed by the news," he said clapping his hands together like a child that had gotten their way.
"I see, if I might ask, but where is Madam Chaska?" Koharu asked, as it was usually the Sovereign's wife that headed these meeting.
"Ah, she is currently entertaining the many young noble ladies that chose to accompany us," the giddy leader said, as he gained a far away look thinking of his wife.
Like a gong, all three mage felt their stomach drop.
The only thing worse than Nobles were the children of those Nobles. At least the adults still had something that resembled self-control, but many of their kids had yet to feel the vicious sting of life and were what many mage described as self-entitled, arrogant, little brats.
And now there were a bunch of those little brats in their City-State, all three could already feel the growing headache.
Please, let nothing more happen, The Chieftain thought.
As Mikey slept off the delicious meal and sorrow from his lost money he met with his favorite disembodied entity.
"… and that was what happened after the last disaster that put the Seventh back in the Chieftains seat," Mikey explained to the Great Spirit.
Luna looked a little sad, after hearing the fate of the world through the two Great Wars. They were gonna happen regardless of her actions but, she didn’t know that..
This was Mikey's third time visiting the Great Spirit, making him able to read her a little better.
He had expected her to be cold and uncaring at first, so he was surprised to see so many emotions when he would tell her the history of the world. She had looked very sad when he had to recount all of the wars that had taken place.
“It would seem that humans will wage war, no matter the era. It pains me to think that my sacrifice would be forgotten so quickly,” Luna said with a melancholy look.
Floating closer to her face, Mikey tried to gain her attention, "Do not worry so much My Lady. Look on the bright side. At least this way,magic can still be part of this world-"
Immediately, Mikey's eyes shot open at what he had let slip.
Luna on the other hand had a triumphant look in her eyes as she gave him a sly smile.
Damn it! I let my guard down, he thought.
Gulping down his nervousness, Mikey looked into the smug face of the Spirit.
“And tell me Mikey, how do you know this? I also seem to recall you avoiding my question during your first visit here. So would you mind answering me this time?” the spirit asked with a cheshire grin stretching ear to ear.
Immediately the roles had changed.
Mikey had turned into the scared bunny being cornered.