After quietly wheeling the zeitcycle over to the truck, the group were getting ready for a swift departure. They finished loading the bike into the bed. Christoph rubbed his left hand against his pants, still having trouble with his right side.

"Time to blow this joint. Wouldn't want to keep your guys' reward waiting."

"Nonsense! We're doing this just as much for company as we are for the reward." Evarius clambered into the truck, Iggy already placed in the back.

"Speak for yourself, geezer." Livian made to climb up after him. Synthia remained on the ground, looking toward the center of the town.

"Synthia, we've gotta go."

Synthia shook her head. "This isn't right. We've got to look for those tanks."

Christoph could only shrug helplessly. He seemed rather uncomfortable about leaving, too. "There's no other choice."

Synthia crossed her arms. The Mioja seemed to weigh heavier on her back than ever before. It was wrapped in it's bindings again. "I know this is selfish on my part, with us all ready to go. But I can't leave here until we find each and every single one of those canisters. We've gotta dispose of them or maybe even take them with us. That's the only way the people of Doras are ever going to be safe."

"And so, why do you care?" Livian leaned against the truck. "Didn't you say back there you were going to be this big, bad villain?"

"That's not exactly what I meant. When I say I want to the biggest bad guy, I..." Synthia trailed off. She clenched her fists, fire in her eyes. "I don't care how long it takes even if the police end up searching for us. I'm going to find those things, with or without your help."

"She can be forceful when she wants to be, huh?" Evarius smiled from up in his seat. "Hate to be the cynic here, but it's too risky. I can't help you kiddo. Even if I could, how would we even find them?"

"The Mioja." Synthia palmed the sword. "This thing reacted to the distortion at the aeternus fields. If I can just figure out how to receive the mana emanating from those things, I know I can find them. That Blanc guy said he was perceptive of them, so if Christoph came with me we could find them even faster!"

Christoph seemed to be curious. "I suppose it's possible but tracking by mana is never a sure-fire thing. This is still a big risk. The time we waste leaves more time for the police to catch us."

"Then we just avoid being caught. Simple."

Christoph looked down at Synthia. As much as he towered over her, the way she stood with her back straight, eyes alight, made her seem as tall as he was.

"Dammit," he muttered. "Fine, you can go. But I'm not leaving Iggy behind with two strangers, so it'll be even slower on your end. Uh, no offense."

Livian and Evarius both waved the apology off as Christoph continued. "Bottomline, do what you can but duck and run if it's too dangerous.. We'll be waiting for you just outside of town. Got that?"

"Excellent. You won't have to wait long!"

She turned around to run off back to town. She began sprinting, head bent as she picked up speed. She headed down one of the alleys they had taken on their way when—

"OOF!"

WHAM! THUD!

She bumped off a rather large man who had walked in front of the other end. In a daze, Synthia barely registered the deep voice asking her if she was okay.

"It's fine, it's fine... I wasn't really looking where I was going." Dusting herself off, Synthia got back to her feet. Seeing the man in front of her, she realized he was twice her size. And very familiar.

Her gold eyes popping, Synthia had to stop herself from shrieking for all of Doras to hear. The very man she had bumped into was the first bodyguard of Blanc's she and Iggy had met earlier.

She made to duck under his arm, but he grabbed her by the scruff of the neck. She flailed her arms in an attempt to get free, completely at his mercy.

"Hey, hey, hey! Stop that! I'm not here to hurt you!"

"I'm sure not, just so you can chuck me to the police!?"

"No, of course not! Why would I? Here."

He set her back down with surprising gentleness. "Would I really do that if I were your enemy?"

"Maybe." Synthia took the opportunity to kick up into his groin. She hissed as her shin bounced off it, smarting. He seemed to have a cup for protection.

The bodyguard cocked his head in amusement. "Not bad."

Grunting, Synthia looked at the man more studiously. He was a mountain with club-like fists and a square jaw. Yet despite his large build, Synthia couldn't detect an ounce of malice or deceitfulness from him. Her mind was yelling at her to remain suspicious, but her gut told her she had nothing to fear. Still, she remained vigilant.

She also noticed the large cloth bag he was carrying in his other hand. "And what's that supposed to be?"

"The tanks I'm sure you were looking for. Here."

Synthia blinked. She grabbed the bag as he offered it to her. It was extremely heavy. Sure enough, inside were close to a dozen garbage disposal tanks, the dangerous distortions tucked away safely inside.

"How did you—"

"It was a newer failsafe of Blanc's he was hoping to use to keep this place under his thumb. Once he told us, me and the other guys knew we couldn't let him go through with it. We rounded them all up."

"And you're giving them to me because...?"

"We're grateful for what you've done. With Blanc out of the way, maybe we can run this place's underground with some degree of respect. Or part of it, at least."

Synthia felt sweat bead on her brow. "Out of the way? I don't know what you're talking about."

"It's a good thing you don't, and it should stay that way. Especially if you run into the authorities on your trip."

Synthia held the bag in her hands. Her exhausted limbs were beginning to burn with the weight, but she held it all the same, rooted to the spot. "How do I know these are the actual tanks and you're not just tricking me with decoys?"

The bodyguard shrugged. "You don't. But I guarantee you they are."

Setting the bag down, Synthia breathed a sigh of relief. The tension finally left her shoulders. "Thank Apeiros. So really, the citizens here weren't in any danger at all. Thank you." She was smiling quite happily.

"We would never forgive ourselves if we did nothing. Thankfully, Blanc was too much of an idiot to check back on where he'd hidden those things. If he had though, you likely wouldn't have faced the difficulties you did. For that, I hope you accept our humble apology."

"So you're taking over here?"

"Sort of. Blanc was only one crime lord in this town. I don't know if word of that sword has reached the others but all the same, you need to watch your back."

Nodding, Synthia drew the bag close to her. "Thanks. But before I go, I just need to hear one more thing to make me fully trust you."

"Yes?"

"Your name."

The bodyguard was surprised by her request. After a few seconds, his face relaxed into a small, careful smile. "Jebben."

"Cool. My name's Synthia, although I'm pretty sure you knew that already. Well then, good luck Jebben! I'd better get going."

Slinging the heavy bag over her shoulders, Synthia gave him a friendly wave and walked back down the alley. Jebben waved in return, crossing his arms as she left his sight. He shifted his legs uncomfortably, the area around his crotch throbbing a little even with the added protection he'd placed over it.

The author's tale has been misappropriated; report any instances of this story on Amazon.

"That was a hell of a kick..."

...

After catching up with the others and explaining what had occurred, Synthia clambered into the back of the truck and swiftly fell asleep beside Iggy. Her muscles had already been killing her but by the time she had reached the truck, she was sore and tired all over. Once Livian had begrudgingly helped her load the bag in the truck-bed, she hadn't been able to stay awake any longer and let sleep wash over her.

Christoph promised to stay awake to ensure the others wouldn't try anything, but she couldn't muster the energy possible to take his place. She'd managed to hear the beginning of their conversation before she drifted off.

"Seriously, you still don't trust us?"

"Would you?"

"Eh, he's got a point."

Before she knew it, sunlight was streaming in through the truck windows. It was daybreak again. Sitting up, she stumbled out of the vehicle and fell to the ground. Her legs stopped wobbling as she wiped the crust out of her eyes. Her body still felt somewhat sore but, thankfully, she felt revitalized for the most part. She stretched, feeling her muscles pop.

Once she finished she saw Iggy, awake and perfectly healthy, standing with her head in prayer.

"Good to see you're okay."

Iggy opened her eyes and whirled around, relief spread across her face. She quickly clamped down on it to look more aloof however, and surveyed Synthia coldly.

"Ahem! Well, you're up awfully late."

"I was exhausted, so yeah. What time is it?"

"It's actually about two in the afternoon. You slept for close to sixteen hours, Synthia. Honestly, push yourself too hard again and it's going to kill you. Which in turn is probably going to get me killed."

"I guess you've got a point." Synthia chuckled nervously. "Where are the others?"

"Here."

Evarius came around from the other side of the truck, smiling serenely. "Your friend over there woke up first and managed to convince Christoph to get some shut eye. Me and Livian took turns as well. We're all rested up for our journey to Verletzt, where the nearest guild is. Just need to buy some tickets in Trost over there."

Indicating the city behind him, Synthia took the chance to observe it.

Trost was a fairly sizeable town. There were buildings even taller than the church spire unlike back in Asphodel, and there were even a few motorized vehicles coming in and out the main thoroughfare.

Christoph and Livian followed emerged from the other side of the truck as well. "You're finally up, shrimp! You sleep like a rock at the bottom of the sea."

"I was running out of gun polish with the amount of time we spent waiting for you." Livian brushed past Synthia, sitting down in one of the folding chairs that had been set up.

Synthia indicated the truck. "And what do we do about this thing? We can't bring it with us."

"Not on regular commutes, no. But there's a special train that arrives at seven PM each night which will allow you to bring your vehicle with you for an extra price. In our case, we'll have to pay double considering the bike."

"We could always hide it."

Livian barked with laughter. "HA! And get slapped with a fine? No thank you."

"She's right, little girl. Not worth risking."

"It was just a suggestion..." Synthia muttered, hands curled into her robes. She watched as Iggy made to sit down next to Livian, but a sharp glare thrown her way convinced her to sit opposite her. She scooted the chair back to put some extra distance between them.

"You'll have to forgive Livian," Evarius said. "Her idea of socializing is to push other people as far away from her as possible."

"Or gunwhip them," Iggy muttered. Another piercing glare from Livian caused her to blanch and make a small whimper.

"But if she's staying away from other people, that's not even socializing," Synthia pointed out.

"Precisely."

Livian scoffed. She pulled out a small notebook from within her jacket and began writing in it.

"We have to wait until seven, then?"

"That's right, little girl."

"Hey, it's Synthia! I've already told you. Anyway, if we're going to wait I might as well pull out a book or two. Christoph, where did you put my bag again?"

"Ah, it was beneath the back left seat."

Synthia made to climb into the car. Before she could pull herself inside, a hand grabbed at her ankle. Looking back, she saw Livian with a harrowed look in her eye and a face even paler than Iggy's had been when she blanched.

"I can get it for you." Her tone was devoid of its usual bluster or cockiness. She seemed genuinely nervous now.

"Uhhh, thanks, but I can get it myself."

"No, no, I insist." She tugged at Synthia's leg. Hard. Synthia had to clutch the inside door handle to not be pulled back out.

"I'm just getting my bag—"

"And I've offered to get it for you, so if you'd please—"

"But I'm almost inside already!"

"LET ME GET YOUR GODDAMN BAG!"

Christoph and Iggy looked at Livian's behaviour in bewilderment. They were debating whether they should tear her off Synthia, but also weren't keen to provoke her wrath. Evarius, on the other hand, seemed somewhat amused.

Synthia managed to wriggle herself out of Livian's grasp and lunged for her bag. She pulled it out just as Livian grabbed her by the shoulders. They fell off the truck together along with the bag and several other objects stored beneath the seat.

Shrugging her bag off her, Synthia sat up and rubbed her back. "Owwwwww! What the hell was that, you crazy..."

She noticed everybody was staring at the ground, including Livian in a frozen state of panic. Following their eyes, she landed upon a magazine. It had a scantily clad female model on the front, blonde hair blowing in the breeze.

"Hang on. Is this... yours?"

Livian began uncharacteristically stammering. "I-it's the old g-g-geezer's! Yeah, his! Not mine!"

Synthia stared at her for a few seconds. She got up to her feet. Then, without further delay, she erupted into wheezing laughter.

"Bwahahahahahahahahaaaaaa! You have a nudey mag!?"

Synthia was reaching the point of tears, hunched over with crippling laughter. Livian was on her hands and knees in defeat, head bent down. The image of an intimidating gunslinger was quickly overwritten by the defeated woman reduced to lying on all fours. Christoph had to turn away to hide his own laughter while Evarius was chortling freely. Iggy began joining in with laughter of her own, but quickly stopped at the withering look Livian shot her.

Still laughing, Synthia managed to force out some sentences. "Oh man, so you're actually into girls? Is that it? I mean, I guess it can be hard to find other girls into girls, but your personality doesn't make it any easier. HA! So, do you like them big or— GAH!"

Livian had thrown a rock at Synthia's forehead, knocking her out cold. Christoph and Iggy rushed over to her with cries of concern as Livian sulked away, magazine in hand. She dragged her chair a good distance from the group and sat in it, staring at her feet.

Iggy looked at Synthia's unconscious form, and then back to Livian. Without uttering a word, every part of her body language was communicating the fervent message to stay away.

"Is that an aura of death around her?"

Evarius gave an apologetic chuckle. "Best not to get near her for the rest of the day."

Iggy noticed something else had fallen to the ground. Looking closer, she saw it was a newspaper. Picking it up, she scanned the headlines before coming across one that said, "Train Stopped by Murder!" Curious, she began reading.

"Jeez, this is freaky," she said. "Apparently a whole car of passengers ended up killing each other randomly. It was like they all lost their minds. Uh, that's not bound to happen when we go on a train, right?"

Evarius had stopped his laughing to see what Iggy was holding. "Oh, that? I guess I forgot to throw that paper away. It's several months old. Anyway, there have been occasional instances of murder-suicides on trains across Viveld over the past few years, but that's been the worst so far. Every case ends up the same. The passengers who do the killing are completely normal citizens beforehand, but for some reason lose any semblance of sanity in the aftermath. There's been speculation it's the doing of a magic user."

Iggy squinted at the article as she kept reading. "What kind of magic can do that?"

"Time magic, specifically. Time magic can manipulate three things, all with their own mana cost and particulars. One: a person's perception of the flow of time. Two: the flow of time itself. And three: the aging of a person's body relative to the flow of time."

"What, it can make you immortal?" Synthia had woken up once again, rubbing the welt in her head. "By the way, your partner' a real charmer. And she said she was beginning to like me!"

"Eh, I think she actually does. You just happened to fall face-first into a big landmine of hers. But back to your question: no. Not exactly immortal."

"What do you mean?"

"Because it requires too much energy," Christoph elaborated. "You'd need the equivalent of 1000 human souls just to extend your life by a year. Time magic is more intricate than other kinds, but also has its own set of negatives as a result."

Synthia accepted the hand he offered her to stand back up. "But if you were somebody really powerful, like, some sort of evil king or something... couldn't you have those thousands of people to extend your life brought to you whenever you needed?"

Iggy clutched the paper tight. "Yeah. Life means nothing to men prepared to have their needs overtake those of the people they see as beneath them."

Christoph paused. "There are rumours of that kind of thing. But even so, it's decidedly tricky to pull off. You'd need to be one of the top ten... no, likely top five most proficient magic users in the world in an already difficult field of magic study. It's no easy feat."

"That's all just conspiracy stuff though," Evarius said. "Let's get back to reality, shall we? As far as these communal homicides are concerned, after such an insane last attempt, security has finally been bumped up on these trains. That's why we're not risking hiding the bike. And even if we do somehow run into who's doing this, we'll be able to deal with them."

"That doesn't really inspire me with confidence," Iggy said, looking around their group. They consisted of an adventurer still recovering from his right side being crushed, a small thief, an old elf, her, and a brooding gunslinger who perused pornography. In her eyes, those weren't the best chances.

"Oh yeah, you didn't see Livian last night," Synthia said.

"What about her?"

"Let's just say I think we're going to be just fine with her around. Especially with Christoph the way he is. I think he should be checked out by another doctor."

"I'm fine." Christoph placed his hand on Synthia's shoulder to reassure her. "I'm recovering quite swiftly now that I've gotten enough rest. The care I received in Doras should ensure I recover well enough. We can speed up the recovery once we reach a guildhall."

Sighing, Synthia accepted his judgement. "Fine. I guess you've got a point. Anyway, c'mon Iggy! Read one of my books to while away the time!"

"I'll pass, thank you."

"Now you're just being mean."

"Because I'm sure what you're about to hand me is absolute drivel!"

With order finally restored, they all sat down and began their banter. Evarius pulled out some food he'd bought in Trost while Synthia was sleeping. He reasoned it was best not to dine in town and be seen.

They chatted as they began eating what Evarius had gotten them. Synthia tried to read Iggy a book but was constantly rebuffed. Christoph and Evarius began talking about the finer points of time magic and their applications. Livian remained traumatized in her chair, tightly clutching her rolled-up magazine.

Unbeknownst to the five, a lone figure stood atop the hill overlooking both them and Trost. Their green robes billowed in the wind as they stared down at the travelling group. They had found their target.