---- M I S H A & J A C K----

Misha surveyed the pyrotechnics from last night. It was…impressive. Either Jack was lying or they had an anomaly on their hands. And Misha, Misha was actually scared for once.

Could Jack be the murder everyone was looking for?

“Hat has anything out of the ordinary been happening?” said Misha slowly.

Hats were always objective and reliable to a fault. And why didn’t she have one? Again.

She had a demerit against her name, in the Book of Revelations. It was not her fault. She had joined the House of Blue and had worked with them on a few jobs. All had gone well, yada yada yada. But then her brother who worked secretly for the House of Green asked if she could spy for him, or rather them. She had said no and had in fact left the House so he loyalties would not be strained. But he was fingered for the job against their House. They assumed she had been wrong doing and had left before she got caught. They had not used a fortune teller or anything.

She had been tempted to use one herself but knew the Houses would just pull her down anyway. That’s just the way they operated. Ruthless to a fault. So now she was left cloakless, wandless and with no foreseeable chance of a Hat. And she was supposed to be Magician?

At this rate she’d just end up a Magician’s assistant. It just didn’t bare thinking about.

Jack was to busy terrorizing the local population letting loose one fireball after another. He found he could release them from either hand or even both at once. Or just make them appear a few inches in front of himself only to shoot them off again. He was a one man pyrotechnics show.

It was only a bit of a shame that it wasn’t more overcast so as to enjoy the effect more. The playground equipment was just a smouldering mess of glowing orange scrap metal. It was a council hellscape.

He realised at that point he needed another trick. It was a compulsion now.

Eat dirt Paul Daniels!

Misha had by now decided that he was just mad. As you weren’t really counted as a murder if you were completely unconcerned at what you killed. He seemed happy with destroying anything that didn’t move. A hopeless case perhaps but not a cold calculating murder.

Not the murder they were looking for at any rate.

“Jack…One part of me wants to tell you that this is not normal and that you should stop. But the other part of me thinks this could lead to a monetary bonanza. If we could just find a contortionist to take us on some decent jobs. We could accrue some serious spondoolicks” said Misha marvelling at this new potential income stream that could solve all her problems. If he’d be willing to share. She could be his manager? If she only charged a fractional percentage she’d still be very rich.

“So the question to you again is could I buy a light sabre” said Jack raising his eyebrows.

Misha didn’t get it “There not…really that special. It’s just any light affinity blade. It’s not particularly a standard item especially for Magicians. But for performers like sword swallowers…” Misha let the words hang in the air.

“Ok well can I swap imperial credits for earth money?” said Jack who had pondered this often but had always forgotten to ask.

“To be honest I wouldn’t be the best person to ask, sorry” said Misha guiltily.

“Oh…Your Bubblegum aren’t you. You cast that illusion when we were in the pub. I’m guessing you can do other illusions too!” said Jack excitedly.

“Wait not mind control I hope. Not that I’d know if you could, right?” said Jack thoughtfully.

“No but I’m pretty sure your cousin Simon does. So he’s the one to watch not me” said Misha defensively.

“Not if you disappear on me…” said Jack hoping she actually wouldn’t.

“You really don’t know Earth culture do you? I know I should have asked before but where are you from?” said Jack feeling rightly ashamed at this faux pas.

“Circus Minoris…Its near Orion in your dimension. It’s a parallel dimension rift 89. I don’t expect you to know it?” Said Misha distantly.

“Orion that’s where I want to be…” said Jack absent mindedly.

“I mean it would be amazing to see your world” added Jack hastily.

“That would be nice one day.” Misha said smiling for the first time.

“But right now we need to make some moola so any world will do that has a decent job”

“Can I just clarify we would be going into the past to potential cause catastrophic harm to life forms in the future by changing their world timeline?” said Jack sceptically.

“You sound too much like my brother. Worrying. It hasn’t actually been proven that killing off some beast can have that effect. To the beast population yes and to its predators but are rarely effected as they are doing the same things already in their own timeline.” Said Misha perplexed at this about face.

“Or we could just go in the now. And do a standard heist? It would be more dangerous but we could still do it?” She added placatory.

“Let’s go back into the past then. It sounds very easy when you just say it like that. And BTW we don’t need a contortionist. Well we do but I’m one is what I mean. I’m a Ringmaster.” replied Jack.

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“Um Ok” said Misha thinking “what the hell! Ringmaster” They are the bosses of every operation, sometimes overseeing dozens of jobs. From safety that is. She had never heard of a Ringmaster actually going on a job.

“Hat do you have coodinates for any where that might be suitable?” said Jack, knowing that Hats can only go to places they have been to prior or places they have detailed information on.

“It would be my pleasure Sir Perhaps we’ll start with something fairly easy though?” said Hat compliantly.

Jack checked his balance of Earth money on his phone before they left. £53.40. A cash injection wouldn’t do him any harm if he wanted to do things like eat or pay the rent. Maybe this journey was just what the doctor ordered or his bank manager more like.

The mansion was a thing of splendour, a grand and imposing structure, with intricate architectural details that showcase its aristocratic origins. The exterior was made of white stone and adorned with delicate carvings and ornate columns. The mansion was set in lush gardens filled with vibrant flowers and statues of ancient heroes. Towering trees lined the cobblestone driveway, leading up to the grand entrance, which was flanked by marble pillars and a sweeping staircase. The facade is bathed in golden sunlight, casting a warm glow over the estate and making it seem like a place of luxury and opulence.

“Holy moly! When did you come here last Hat? This place is lit.” said Jack flabbergasted.

“My last master frequented this place quite a lot.” Said Hat.

“Well lead us to the mobs domain. Oh, and you didn’t say what this place was called” said Jack.

“No I didn’t did I. Oh and I think I can do one better than that. I just can’t do an inter-dimensional jump all in one go.” Said Hat apologetically.

As they approached the cave entrance, they could see that it was shrouded in darkness, with a rocky overhang looming above it. Moss and vines clung to the rough stone walls, giving the entrance an ancient and mysterious feel. The entrance itself is large and imposing, with jagged rocks forming a natural archway leading into the darkness beyond. The sound of dripping water echoes from within, hinting at the presence of underground streams or pools.

The air around the cave entrance is cool and damp, with a musty earthy smell that evokes a sense of adventure and exploration. Faint glimmers of light can be seen flickering deep within, suggesting the presence of torches or lanterns placed by previous explorers. As they step closer to the entrance, they can make out intricate carvings and symbols etched into the stone around the archway, hinting at the cave's possible significance in the world. The slight breeze that emanates from within carries with it the promise of unknown dangers and treasures waiting to be discovered deep within the dark depths of the cave.

They stood outside making a quick plan before entering.

“You throw fireballs..” “Spark.” Jack corrected.

“Ok you use Spark and blast away. Then I will use Bubblegum to hide us for a second then Hat teleports us to safety while still hidden. This is the number one plan for staying alive. Do I have your agreement?” said Misha expectantly.

“Staying alive? Sounds like a good plan to me. Let’s go. I’m getting itchy feet.” Said Jack causing Misha to look curiously down at what could be causing this. She needed a serious audio book download.

Jack’s heart was pounding like crazy. Which is why he needed to get moving. He felt otherwise he’d need to ask to go have a wee somewhere. Which would seriously lose him creditability in his eyes at any rate.

Gathering his wits, he crossed the threshold of the cave and brought himself to full cognition and observing both of the large hairy mobs. They looked like apes but where way to fat and round like they’d been pumped up not with steroids but with air. I looked at Misha but she just gesticulated for me to get torching the place. Let’s just call them grapes and be done with it.

A multiple Sparks flew towards the two grapes and then I teleported before they knew what hit them. The balls of fire exploded in their faces, and they appeared to be already incapacitated and letting out piteous dying screeches. Um, that’s what overkill means I guess. I quickly put them out of their misery with a few more blasts. The cave lightly shakes from the scream. No, don’t cave in. That’s one thing we didn’t include in the plan. No cave-ins allowed. I look around for artefacts expectantly. Misha clearly has better eyesight than me and picks something up then throws it in my direction. It’s a bit dark but I managed to catch the objects in Hat.

And now I’m grinning uncontrollably. Then Five Sparks fly in quick succession towards the grape that is now charging towards me. The first hit its chest, halting it on its tracks. The second and third smash into its upper body, causing it to be knocked back. The fourth and fifth detonate on either side of its big hairy bonce, finishing it off.

Misha again collected the loot passing it over to yours truly and we moved on to the next chamber down.

Domains get harder the closer to the center you get. So I hadn’t expected much from the grapes. Let’s see what else is down here?

I try to stay focus and not lose my head.

But find nothing but more grapes just perhaps a little bigger. They certainly look scarier in these dark caves. Each time my spark lights up the room for the first time it gives me a bit of scare looking at all the ugly brutes packed in there. After about half an hour of this my adrenalin is running dry and I’m getting all jittery. My eyes must make me look like a vampire all bloodshot and red from all the dam smoke. Note to self first thing to buy from my spoils is some magical self cleaning goggles. I hope that’s a thing.

Finally we get to what must be effectively the boss room.

Jack cautiously entered what he hoped was the final dark cave, he could feel the oppressive atmosphere closing in around him. The air was thick with the stench of sulphur. That’s not good, And every step he took echoed off the damp walls. Suddenly, a growl reverberated through the chamber, and a massive, hulking figure emerged from the shadows – the biggest grape he’d ever seen.

The boss, had fiery red eyes. Like Jack. It let out a roar that sent chills down Jack's spine. But without hesitation, Jack summoned his spark trick, conjuring blazing orbs of blue flames in his hands. This time he wanted to make it a bit more of a challenge.

“Jack what are you doing?” said a panicked looking Misha shaking Jake out of his funk.

The boss charged at him with incredible speed, unleashing a flurry of strikes that Jack narrowly dodged. What the!?

Jack hurled his sparks at the creature, the flames engulfing its body with each precise hit. But making Jack have to teleport away from the incredible heat.

“Don’t I get fire protection?” he shouted to anyone who might answer.

“Gloves” said Hat matter of factly “Figures” thought Jack.

The boss let out a deafening screech of pain, but it only fueled its rage. It lunged at Jack again, its claws barely missing him as he continued to teleport and retaliate with his fiery missiles.

The battle raged on, the cave filled with the sounds of roaring flames and off putting smell of burning hair and barbequing flesh. Jack's fireballs burned bright and fierce, weakening the boss with each striking blow. Finally, with one last powerful blast, the creature let out a final cry before collapsing to the ground in a smouldering heap.

Jack breathed a sigh of relief, his heart pounding in his chest as he emerged victorious from the intense boss fight. He knew that he had conquered the fiery beast with his skill and determination, proving that even in the darkest of caves, he was a force to be reckoned with.

“Are you ok?” said Misha clicking her fingers in front of his face and then passing him a particularly large artefact.

“Just enjoying the rush” said Jack vacantly.

“Next time just kill the thing and stop playing soldiers” said Misha unsportingly.

They headed off world and straight into Purlbrights Emporium. Where better to offload a bit of loot?

Did they do discounts for friends and family? Maybe they even had a discount card.

It turned out they didn’t.